2018 is here and for many, setting a New Year’s resolution is part of getting the year headed in the right direction.  We could give you a list of 20 or 30 “top resolutions,” but let’s go a little deeper and explore ways to renew your body, mind, and spirit in 2018 right here in Bluff Park

Body

Probably the most common resolution is weight loss or eating healthy.  “There is definitely a spike in interest and motivation in the New Year,” Jason Cerniglia, owner of Hoover Fitness says.  “I see a lot of people start exercise programs and diets this time of the year.  For general weight loss, body fat reduction and getting in better health, Jason says it is crucial that everyone participates in the three areas of health and exercise – weight training, cardiovascular exercise, and dietary improvements.  If you improve where you are in all three of these areas, you will get results,” he says. 

As for sticking to the plan, Jason recommends finding a program to join or participate in.  If you are in a structured program or diet, you will be more likely to stick to it and not give up, especially if it is something that you have paid for.  “Mostly those who just try to start exercising and eat better usually fizzle out after a few weeks, but those who join a structured program, or a structured diet program, usually achieve and maintain results,” he says.  

How can someone make a resolution a lifestyle of good health?

“This is crucial,” Jason explains.  “You will never achieve permanent results until you make diet and exercise a part of your lifestyle.”  Avoiding the “roller coaster” effect Jason says requires a priority shift by taking a personal audit of your priorities and seeing where your health and fitness levels are in relation to everything else in your life.

What you can find at Hoover Fitness

• Programs such as the 20/30 Fast Track diet program and 21 Day Fat Blast™
• Silver Sneakers program for seniors
• Classes including yoga and personal training

 

“My goal for Hoover Fitness in 2018 is to help more people in the community develop a lifestyle of health and fitness.  We want to make a major impact on Bluff Park and Hoover in general.                                                           -Jason Cerniglia

Having a fitness center like Hoover Fitness right in Bluff Park is one of the many pluses for anyone looking to make body and health changes in 2018.

When the O’Briens became the new owners of Moonlight On the Mountain, one of Michel’s goals was to open the space up for yoga.  Yoga instructor Lindsay Giadrosich, 200 RYT,  helped make that goal a reality and Yoga on Shades Mountain began in mid 2017.

“Yoga has numerous physical and mental benefits.  When yoga is practiced regularly, it can increase your self-discipline through its meditative nature.  This benefit can assist you in accomplishing many of your health and wellness goals.  Yoga is also a great addition to cross training for any exercise program as well as just a day of stretching and letting the body recover,” Lindsay says.

Yoga on Shades Mountain at Moonlight

• Vinyasa Yoga.  Tuesday evening at 6pm January 9-February 13.  This is a donation based community flow class.
• 4 Week Beginner Series.  This class starts Monday, January, 22 at 6pm.  It covers the basics of yoga with a slow/beginner flow (class will require a 6 person minimum.)  The series of 4 classes will be $50.  
• Vinyasa Yoga New Night!  Vinyasa class moves to Mondays starting February 19 at 6:00pm.  This is a donation based community flow class.

“The physical benefits of yoga go beyond strength and flexibility,” Lindsay says.  “Yoga has been proven to help reduce high blood pressure, improve circulation, improve the immune system, etc.”

Yoga can speak to all three aspects of the body, mind, and spirit.  “Yoga has an overall presence in the mind, body, and soul of someone who practices regularly.  Yoga prepares the mind to be more focused on and off the mat.  You are able to control your emotions and think before reacting.  In general, meditation improves concentration and increases self-awareness.  It allows you to turn off the outside world and all the stimulus we receive on a daily basis and focus inward.  As you move inward, you can grow spiritually.  You find your light or continue to brighten your light, your soul.  To me, in my experience, it is a natural progression.“

Got questions about Yoga on Shades Mountain?  Email lindsaygyoga@gmail.com

Don’t Forget to Enjoy the Outdoors

There are plenty of outdoor activities in the community to get you moving in the new year.  Here are two examples.

• Join the Bluff Park Walking and Running group
• Like to hike?  Bluff Park is right on the edge of the Moss Rock Preserve.

Mind

Do you want to expand your mind in 2018?  Perhaps you may learn to draw, paint, play a musical instrument, or read all those books you have been dying to pick up?

“You will never regret reading,” Alli Nations, resident and leader of the Bluff Park Book Club says.  “In our fast paced, tech hungry world, there is something so rewarding about opening a real book and spending time reading.  Joining a book club is a great way to jumpstart your goal to read more.  Reading is fun, and it’s even more fun with friends!

Bluff Park Book Club is a brand new community group with neighbors in the BP area who enjoy reading.  “You can be someone who reads one book a year, or one hundred!  No pop quizzes, just fun discussion and fellowship,” Alli explains.

Each month, the group picks a different book to read.  For January the title isTruly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty.  “We browsed through Reese Witherspoon’s book list.  She has a wide variety of books she has read and recommends.  Then we all wrote down our suggestions and drew for a book ‘winner,'”

The group welcomes new members!  Find them on Facebook and follow along.

Another book club that has met for many years is at Bluff Park United Methodist Church Parlor.  “We read a variety of books, and each January we have a movie night and watch a movie based on a book we’ve read,” member Susan Clowdus says. 

This monthly group meets on the fourth Thursday of each month (except in November & December) at 7:00pm.  “Our most recent book was600 Hours of Edward by Craig Lancaster.  The book for January is Cutting the Stoneby Abraham Verghese.”  You do not have to be a member of the church to attend.  Have questions?   Contact the church office at (205) 822-0910.   

Spirit

Renew your spirit this year.  Visit a new church or worship service.  Work to become more prayerful.  Bluff Park is not lacking in places for fellowship and worship.  With churches of several denominations, there is something for everyone.

Moms In Prayer is an international organization that gathers moms to pray for their area schools.  The Bluff Park Moms In Prayer chapter started meeting in Fall 2017 and welcomes anyone who would like to pray over Bluff Park Elementary with them.“Our group specifically prays for the administration and teachers every week.  Over the course of the school year, we will pray over each and every student,” says Shauna Burrows, one of the Bluff Park Moms In Prayer members.

Starting January 9, Moms In Prayer meets each Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m. at Bluff Park Community Church (the campus of Chapel in the Pines, 2269 Chapel Road in Hoover).

Their purpose:

• To pray that our children will receive Jesus as Lord and Savior, then stand boldly in their faith
• To pray for teachers and school staff
• To pray that teachers, administrative staff, and students would come to faith in Jesus Christ
• To provide support and encouragement to moms who carry heavy burdens for their children
• To pray that our schools will be directed by biblical values and high moral standards
• To be an encouragement and a positive support to our schools

“Prayer is always powerful.  For moms who can’t join us, we’d encourage them to pray for their own families, but always look outside your own home.  Pray for those who lead and nurture your children and all the children in our community”          Shauna Burrows

Prince of Peace Catholic Church,  is hosting Contemplative Outreach Birmingham’s Centering and Meditative Prayer workshop in January.  For more information, follow the workshop link here.  Thank you to Maureen McDermott Williams for the information!

Renewing your spirit could center around faith and prayer but also service.

Maybe your spirit is moving you to serve in 2018?Hoover Cop Stop may be an avenue.

Hoover Cop Stop is a local chapter of Cop Stop.  Volunteers are from all over Hoover but many are from Bluff Park and Riverchase.  The purpose is “serving those who serve us.”  Each month, volunteers bring a meal for breakfast, lunch, or dinner to serve officers going on their shift.  Volunteers become like family.  They sit, eat, and talk with the officers.  It is a big family table.

For anyone interested in joining Hoover Cop Stop, visit their Facebook group.

Hopefully we have given you some ideas on how to renew your body, mind, and spirit in 2018.

 “I believe new years is an excellent time to reflect on where you are personally and how you can become a better version of yourself.  Or better yet, how you can be more compassionate with yourself.”     Lindsay Giadrosich, Yoga on Shades Mountain

If your not sure where to start, here are 5 good points from Lindsey.

1. What are at least two or three things that are my highlights (good things) for 2017? 
2. What am I most grateful for in my life today?  
3. Set a mantra for 2018 – something you can look at and read or see everyday to remember and focus on throughout your day.
4. Find some way, even if it is small, to educate yourself about something you are passionate about.
5. Remember, you are not perfect nor are you intended to be.