Looking to treat yourself, connect with new friends, enter a contest or giveaway, explore cultural and entertainment events, try something different, play a fun game or freshen up your fitness routine? Check this space or your inbox each week (a new e-newsletter issue arrives each Tuesday) for free opportunities and offerings that we think Sisters readers will enjoy.
Tips:
- Clicking on some links below may connect you to our social media channels, our parent site aarp.org, or a related contest or giveaway on another of our channels. If you've missed one of this week's Sisters newsletter articles, check it out or add it to your reading list before you leave our site!
- To access most events or games from AARP, you'll be prompted to complete a one-time, free registration for an aarp.org account. You DO NOT need to be a member of AARP to connect with us. With an account, the fun begins!
Here's what's happening between April 2, 2024 and April 8, 2024.
Sisters From AARP Soul Sanctuary: Visit Our Members-Only Facebook Group Anytime!
You are cordially invited to join the Sisters From AARP Soul Sanctuary private Facebook group! It’s the ultimate online social media space designed exclusively for Sisters to get together and share our journeys of health, wellness and happiness in a safe, supportive, members-only environment. No drama, just a healthy daily dose of laughter, love, support and celebration created just for you by Sisters From AARP. Welcome! We look forward to meeting you!
Sisters From AARP Cultural Cues Word Search on AARP Games—Play Anytime!
This unique version of the Daily Word Search, created by the Sisters From AARP team, invites you to explore African-American culture and history in your world with featured and weekly puzzles. Become a master word searcher by discovering clues about fascinating people, places and things. Up, down, backwards and diagonal – words are hidden everywhere! How fast can you find them?
AARP Virtual Community Center
These scheduled events are online. Join from anywhere!
Fitness: A Gentle Nia Workout
Tuesday, Apr 2, 2024
11:00 a.m. ET • 10:00 a.m. CT • 9:00 a.m. MT • 8:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
There are proven health benefits of keeping your body moving, and Nia makes it enjoyable!
This “Nia Moving to Heal” home workout incorporates gentle movements from expressive dance and the martial arts. It’s an entry-level exercise routine that can be done barefoot, part of a weekly series led by Jule Aguirre, a member of the international Nia training faculty.
The mind/body workout is aimed at helping you feel better both physically and emotionally. No special equipment or training is required. Please consult your physician before beginning any new exercise regimen.
Yoga + Pilates for Strength and Balance
Tuesday, Apr 2, 2024
12:00 p.m. ET • 11:00 a.m. CT • 10:00 a.m. MT • 9:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Guided by master-certified movement educator Diane Butera, this online yoga and Pilates class focuses on enhancing vitality and mental clarity, strength and balance.
Enjoy movements from yoga, Pilates and functional medicine, both on the floor and standing, to improve your core strength and help with achy feet, tight hips, low back pain, restrictions in mobility and more. You may also find you’re feeling less stressed and sleeping better! A 15-minute Q&A follows the 45-minute class.
Please have a yoga strap, yoga block and Pinky Ball on hand. And please consult your physician before beginning any new exercise regimen.
Gardening 101: The Basics and Beyond
Wednesday, Apr 3, 2024
11:00 a.m. ET • 10:00 a.m. CT • 9:00 a.m. MT • 8:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Whether you are a lifelong gardener with a “green thumb,” someone who likes to plant flowers around the house, or someone who is simply interested in seeing a master gardener at work, this virtual presentation will offer up plenty of gardening tips and ideas. In advance, you might enjoy reading a bit about the health benefits of gardening in 8 Ways to Boost the Health Benefits of Gardening.
Feel the Beat! Try Line Dancing
Wednesday, Apr 3, 2024
12:30 p.m. ET • 11:30 a.m. CT • 10:30 a.m. MT • 9:30 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
The “Feel the Beat!” virtual line dancing lessons provide an entertaining and social way to increase your fitness level and stamina. Instructor Pearline Stevens, a Baton Rouge-based fitness teacher, will lead us in such classic line dance steps as the “electric slide” and the “wobble” to the beat of old-school jams and some of the latest hits. The goal is to improve your cardiovascular health as well as your balance.
Have water handy and wear comfortable clothing that allows movement. Please consult your physician before beginning any new exercise regimen.
Zumba to the Rhythm
Thursday, Apr 4, 2024
11:00 a.m. ET • 10:00 a.m. CT • 9:00 a.m. MT • 8:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Zumba mixes low-intensity and high-intensity dance moves set to Latin and World rhythms for an interval-style, calorie-burning dance fitness party. These total workout classes combine cardio, muscle conditioning and balance and flexibility moves. Let the rhythms take over and dare to get fit!
Please consult your physician before beginning any new exercise regimen.
The Life and Legacy of Maggie Lena Walker
Thursday, Apr 4, 2024
4:00 p.m. ET • 3:00 p.m. CT • 2:00 p.m. MT • 1:00 p.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Who was Maggie Lena Walker? In spite of her humble beginnings in post-Civil War Richmond, Virginia, Walker achieved national prominence as a businesswoman and community leader.
This virtual discussion will explore Walker's success as the first African American woman to found a bank and her career as a pioneering bank president, as well as highlight her contributions as an activist, philanthropist and advocate for public health. Discover how Walker’s successes and vision offered tangible improvements in the way of life for African Americans and women.
The Healing Art of Qigong
Friday, Apr 5, 2024
1:00 p.m. ET • 12:00 p.m. CT • 11:00 a.m. MT • 10:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Qigong is an ancient healing art that has been practiced for thousands of years for health and longevity.
Combining powerful stances with graceful movements performed both seated and standing, these online qigong classes can help you develop better balance and more energy and vitality. They can also help soothe achy feet, tight hips and low back pain and ease restriction in mobility. And studies show that qigong can help reduce anxiety and depression as well as boost your immune system and improve sleep.
A Conversation with Henry Louis Gates Jr.
Friday, Apr 5, 2024
1:30 p.m. ET • 12:30 p.m. CT • 11:30 a.m. MT • 10:30 a.m. PT
Duration: 90 Minutes
Join us for a conversation with the preeminent filmmaker, literary scholar, journalist and cultural critic Henry Louis Gates Jr., whose PBS series on genealogy and genetics, Finding Your Roots, returned for its 10th season in January.
His recent project with Andrew Curran explores the “invention of race” in the 18th century. Who’s Black and Why? publishes essays from the 1739 Bordeaux Royal Academy of Sciences revealing the theories that led to categorization of people into racial groups.
If you had one question to ask Gates, what would it be? We’ll gather your questions and spend a lively hour and a half in a wide-ranging conversation.
Join a Virtual Rhythm Circle
Saturday, Apr 6, 2024
11:00 a.m. ET • 10:00 a.m. CT • 9:00 a.m. MT • 8:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Join percussionist Kevin "Bujo" Jones for an interactive virtual rhythm circle. Have fun while experiencing some of the powerful health benefits of making and enjoying music, which can include a positive effect on brain health. Enjoy the benefits of this immersive musical experience!
No experience is necessary - and drums aren’t, either. A tabletop or empty container will work just fine. You’ll have the chance to connect with other attendees and Bujo through a Q&A.
Cooking Class: A Delicious and Healthy Brunch
Saturday, Apr 6, 2024
10:00 a.m. ET • 9:00 a.m. CT • 8:00 a.m. MT • 7:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
Did someone say brunch? Get in the kitchen with Chef Christine Van Bloem to prepare three healthy recipes: lemon-roasted asparagus with crispy prosciutto and poached eggs; blender Hollandaise; and homemade granola.
Feel free to cook along with us or sit back and watch the fun. Bring your questions and leave with easy-to-follow heart-healthy recipes. In the meantime, you can download a list of ingredients to have on hand.
Mindful Movement Mondays: Alignment & Posture
Monday, Apr 8, 2024
10:00 a.m. ET • 9:00 a.m. CT • 8:00 a.m. MT • 7:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 60 Minutes
In this class (the first in a four-session series), we will explore common mistakes of posture and alignment and how fixing them can often help in performing the things that you struggle to do. We will also cover strength and mobility exercises that can help strengthen your posture. Please consult your physician before beginning any new exercise regimen. The class is facilitated by Julia Fuller, a certified personal trainer and health coach.
Balance & Mobility Class: Strengthen Your Stability
Monday, Apr 8, 2024
11:00 a.m. ET • 10:00 a.m. CT • 9:00 a.m. MT • 8:00 a.m. PT
Duration: 45 Minutes
Improving our stability and mobility is especially important as we get older, when the systems that help us maintain our balance and avoid falls - our vision, our inner ear, and our leg muscles and joints - tend to break down.
This 45-minute class, great for beginners, includes a warm-up with aerobic exercise, balance and joint mobility exercises and a cooldown. No equipment is required.
The exercises are intended to help you improve your balance and stability and can help reduce your risk of falling. Please consult your physician before starting any new exercise regimen.