This class is for those who want to build strength, stability, and confidence moving. We will use Pilates principles paired with progressive overload (repeating movements with multiple sets) to fatigue our muscles and thus build strength. All exercises are designed to be safe and effective. All abilities are welcome, no previous experience is required. Variations and modifications will always be given to work within your limits while still challenging yourself. Building a strong body helps to prevent injury, lose fat, and create a lifestyle where movement is accessible as we age. Try out our Core Lite Class on Tuesday mornings at 9:30 AMOr our Core Strong class with weights Thursday evenings at 5:30 PMBoth programs are accessible for all levels of fitness. **You are required to bring a yoga mat and water.****If you are signed up for a Thursday program you may bring your own weights or use Prescott's.** Here is what they are saying about Emma's Core Strength & Conditioning Class: "Emma is very motivating, always positive!" "Focuses on core, but also works to strengthen the entire body, because it's all connected. I like that the class is designed to become progressively more challenging week by week and, because the majority of the class has been taking the class for several sessions, session by session. Emma always shows modifications for people of all levels. She is a very good teacher." "The exercises (challenging!); the instructor’s enthusiasm & encouragement!" "The class was challenging and fun! I feel stronger since starting. Emma is a wonderful teacher." "The class offered challenging exercises, but instructor provides different levels of difficulty as needed. Good communication anddemonstration by instructor. Enjoyed using the weights and twisting!""Emma’s upbeat and encouraging spirit!""It was nice being able to go at my own speed (some moves were painful) and really appreciated theoptions for doing it low impact. The instructor, Emma, was awesome!"

If you’ve never run before or need support getting back into it, this program will help you build up to running the full 5K distance non-stop in the Groton 5K Road Race on Oct 4, 2026. It begins with a series of run/walk intervals to gradually get you moving without pressure. As you follow the training plan, you’ll spend less time walking and more time running until you can complete the entire 5K distance non-stop. There’s no better time than now to start so that you can enjoy the many physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Most of all, you’ll love the fun and the good company! Returning runners are welcome. The program is geared toward all levels; everyone is welcome. Cheney Harper is an avid runner and a long-term Squannacook River Runners (SQRR) club member in Groton, MA. The SQRR club organizes and hosts several yearly races, including the Groton Road Race in early May and the Groton Town Forest Trail Races in October. Cheney plans to designate part of the program fee to fund SQRR races. **You are NOT REQUIRED to run in the Groton 5K Road Race.** Reference websites: Squannacook River Runners: https://sqrr.org Groton Road Race: https://grotonroadrace.com Groton Town Forest Trail Races: http://www.grotontftr.freeservers.com

We will be walking with unique Nordic poles on our beautiful local trails. This creative walking technique originated in Norway and is now very popular across Europe. It boosts your cardio walking, plus the benefit of providing an upper-body resistance-strength workout, now using 85 to 90% of all body muscles you activate. The special poles are adjustable, shorter than ski or trekking poles, and they are secured with tightly attached hand straps that allow you to propel yourself forward. The poles and hand straps are helpful for stability, so anyone can do this! The unique walking technique requires a small learning curve that I will spend the time teaching to everyone. At the beginning of the first class, we will do some basic training. After the first class and we’ll quickly refresh our previous classwork and add some new suggestions for good results! Below are the trails where we will meet for each week. Sep 14: Fitch's Bridge Ice Line Trail - Meet at Fitch’s Bridge Parking lot near Pepperell Rd (Groton, MA) Sep 21: J Harry Rich Oxbow Loop - Meet at off-street parking at the intersection of Nod Rd and Common St. (Groton, MA) Sep 28: Groton Town Forest - Meet at Town Forrest Road Parking (Groton, MA) Oct 5: J Harry Rich Eagle Loop - Meet at off-street parking at the intersection of Nod Rd and Common St. (Groton, MA) Oct 19: Mines Fall Park - Meet at the Mines Fall Park Parking next to Stellos Stadium and David W. Deane Skateboard Par (Nashua, NH) Oct 26: TBD- We will repeat everyone's favorite trail! ** We strongly recommend registering for the first class to acquire the basic training together.** ** CLASS REQUIREMENT: You must purchase a set of Nordic Walking poles. I suggest poles that are adjustable for height as this is key for optimal setup. Some adjust in three parts and I don't recommend them. Just a simple adjustment in the middle is good. I bought mine on Amazon and did NOT spend top dollar on them! The brand I have is FIZAN, but any that you can find that suit your budget is fine. Our first class will require you to have them in hand so we can get adjusted and learn how to use them before a trail trip. Ski or trekking poles do not work for the resistance control that this requires. **All proceeds benefit Prescott Community Center.** Here is what they are saying about Nordic Walking: "I liked the small group and being active outdoors on unfamiliar trails." "The instructor was very helpful and patient in teaching the use of poles. Each walk was different and enjoyable."

Ready to start your Tai Chi journey? This new class is designed for complete beginners and welcomes anyone curious about this gentle, meditative practice. You'll build a solid foundation through foundational principles of posture and movement, basic warm-up and qigong exercises, and an introduction to mirror form. Qigong, an ancient practice combining slow, deliberate movement with focused breathing, serves as a natural companion to Tai Chi and helps cultivate energy flow throughout the body. Each session emphasizes patience and proper alignment, helping you develop balance, flexibility, and calm focus: no prior experience or special equipment needed-just comfortable clothing and an open mind. Whether you're seeking stress relief, better mobility, or a new mindful practice, this class offers the perfect starting point. Join us and discover the art of Tai Chi!All proceeds benefit the Prescott Community Center.

"What is the best style of Tai Chi to practice?" My immediate thought is, "Like any exercise, the best one is the one you will do!" I have studied several Tai Chi and Qigong forms over the last 25 years, which I share in this two-hour weekly practice. The first hour is devoted to warm-up Qigong exercises, followed by instruction and practice of a form called WuJi Tai Chi, or Tai Chi for Liberation. It is quick to learn and designed to gather energy internally for health. The second hour is devoted to a more traditional Yang-style Tai Chi form: Cheng Man-ching's 37-step short form. Warm-down Qigongs follow this. Throughout these lessons, I weave in Taoist and Traditional Chinese Medicine philosophies, which link external forms to internal health benefits. Students of all ages and levels of experience are welcome to come, learn, and engage in community. You are welcome to come for any portion of the class that interests you, or stay for the whole session, which provides a great workout! I dynamically adjust the curriculum to the needs and desires of you, the participants. My wife Joni is a skilled instructor and often teaches and coaches with me. Here is what they are saying about Pat's Tai Chi class: "It was at a level that a novice like me could feel comfortable at." "It was a very good introduction to Tai Chi, I knew nothing about the discipline." "Pat was very knowledgeable and patient." "I particularly liked in the beginning when he worked with everyone in the class individually to make sure we were doing key foundational moves correctly." "The class was very relaxed, with gentle instruction, and no pressure to conform to rigid guidelines of the Tai Chi forms. It was more of a do what you can and what works for you environment. Pat is a wonderful teacher, patiently explaining and demonstrating the forms, all the while interjecting some of the philosophy, science, traditions and energy movements of Tai Chi."