The Glen Canyon Recreation Center summer program began on May 29 and will continue through August 26. It offers a number of exercise classes, as well as pick-up basketball games, pickle ball matches and rock climbing drop-in schedules.
Qi Gong, a holistic exercise system of coordinated body posture includes movement, breathing and meditation and is offered for seniors interested in a low-impact exercise. Tai Chi, for 18-years and older, is a Chinese martial arts class, offering instruction in defense training as well as providing health benefits.
Pilates is also offered once a week. The exercise regimen is known for using special apparatus designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, and posture while enhancing mental awareness.
The Rec Center highlights both Gentle Hatha yoga and Gold Zumba. The former emphasizes physical posture and provides a gentle introduction to the most basic yoga postures, while the latter offers a lower intensity workout that focuses on balance, range of motion and coordination.
Vinyasa yoga takes yoga to another level. It is derived from the word “vinyasa,” which can be translated as “arranging something in a special way.” This class teaches yoga poses that instructs participants in coordinating movement with breath to flow from one pose to the next.
Children are more than accommodated. They can enroll in drop-in rock climbing classes or take advantage of Karate Kidz – Little Kickers, a program that offers the rudiments of traditional and functional martial arts, but does not teach fighting or combat techniques.
Kids can enroll in Petite Bakers, designed for children between three and six years old. Here they learn the art of baking in fun and energetic setting in the Rec Center’s new kitchen.
There are fees for classes and the newly renovated facility is closed on Sunday and Monday.
The tennis courts, the baseball diamond, which are home to Little League baseball games and soccer matches, remain available through the summer. And for those interested in hoops, there’s open gym five times a week where the basketball games of round-the-world, horse and three-on-three are played.
Seguing to the park’s 70 acres of natural area is always an effortless transition. Tended by both the Rec and Park Natural Areas Program and Friends of Glen Canyon volunteer stewards, canyon day users can enjoy short walks around Islais Creek and challenge Franciscan chert rock outcrops. They can hike along three pristine trails that provide California wild flowers in bloom, overhanging arroyo willow that offer shade on warm summer days, an assortment of birds to view.
For more information, telephone 415-831-2700 or access www.sfrecpark.org, or simply go to the Rec Center office and introduce yourself to park supervisors Oskar Rosas, Toby Wiley and their staff.
