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SUMMARY:Women's Self Defense with Fit 2 Defend Academy
DESCRIPTION:Women’s Self-Defense Workshop: Empowerment Through Action\nJoin us for a dynamic and empowering self-defense workshop designed specifically for women of all ages and experience levels. Whether you’re stepping onto the mat for the first time or looking to refresh and refine your skills\, this class provides a supportive and inclusive environment where you can learn practical\, real-world techniques that truly work. \nLed by the experienced team at Fit 2 Defend\, this workshop combines a short\, informative lecture with hands-on practice. You’ll learn how to protect yourself across multiple ranges of defense\, understand the importance of situational awareness\, and gain insight into the golden rules of self-defense that can help prevent dangerous encounters before they happen. \nThrough realistic scenarios and step-by-step instruction\, you’ll build physical skills\, mental preparedness\, and the self-assurance needed to respond effectively under pressure. Fit 2 Defend has trained and empowered hundreds of women with great success\, and now it’s your turn to take the first step toward personal safety and empowerment. \nCome dressed to move\, bring water\, and get ready to leave this workshop feeling stronger\, smarter\, and more confident in your ability to defend yourself. \nAges 13 +
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/womens-self-defense-july-13/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness,Youth
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260716T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260716T190000
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SUMMARY:Sparkle & Scribe: Longevity + Journaling Experience
DESCRIPTION:Are you looking for simple\, sustainable ways to improve your health\, increase your energy\, and feel more in control of your daily habits for good? This interactive workshop blends science-based longevity education with guided reflection to help you build a strong foundation for long-term well-being: physically\, mentally\, and emotionally. Led by Michelle Dooley\, Certified Longevity Coach at SPARKLE Longevity\, and Christine Witt\, founder of PurposeFull Goods\, this engaging session combines practical lifestyle strategies with mindfulness and self-inquiry. You’ll explore how small\, consistent habits paired with intentional reflection can create meaningful\, lasting change. \nTopics we’ll explore include:\nWhat Longevity Really Means: Gain a clear understanding of longevity and why it matters now more than ever in today’s fast-paced\, high-stress world. We’ll look at insights inspired by research from the Blue Zones and what we can learn from their daily habits. \nThe 4 Pillars of Longevity: Learn the foundational pillars of food as fuel\, mindful movement\, sleep & recovery\, and stress minimization\, along with simple\, realistic strategies you can begin applying right away. \nHabit Stacking for Real Life: Discover how to create lasting change by layering small habits into your existing routine to reduce overwhelm and build consistency. \nMindfulness & Journaling for Clarity: Christine will guide you through a calming meditation and journaling exercise designed to help you reflect\, reset\, and connect your intentions to your daily habits. \nYou’ll leave with:\n\nA clear understanding of the core principles of longevity and how to apply them in everyday life\nSimple\, actionable strategies to improve nutrition\, movement\, sleep\, and stress management\nA practical approach to habit stacking that makes change feel manageable and sustainable\nA guided journaling experience to support self-awareness and personal growth\nA take-home journal to continue your practice beyond the workshop\nA complimentary longevity eBook program with recipes and structure to help you build momentum\n\nThis is more than just a workshop.  It’s an opportunity to invest in yourself\, build better daily habits\, and leave with tools you can use right away to support a healthier\, more energized life. \nMeet the Sparkle and Scribe Team\n \nMichelle Dooley:  Michelle\, aka Coach Dooley\, is a Certified Longevity Coach and founder of SPARKLE Longevity\, where she helps women over 40 reclaim their energy\, build strength\, and age vibrantly by focusing on four key pillars: nourishing food\, mindful movement\, restorative sleep\, and stress-minimizing daily habits.With credentials from AFAA\, Les Mills BODYPUMP\, OTFit\, Healthy Moms® Perinatal Fitness\, the Longevity Coach Institute\, and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition\, she blends science-backed guidance with real-life simplicity through her signature SPARKLE method: Simple Principles And Recipes to Keep Living Energetically. She currently coaches and teaches at Orangetheory Fitness and Lake Forest Health and Fitness Center. Known for her humor and relatable style\, Michelle brings her signature “I put the FUN back in fundamentals” energy to every class\, workshop and coaching session\, empowering women to create a joyous lifestyle that lasts a lifetime. \n \nChristine Witt is the founder of PurposeFull Goods\, a wellness brand that blends the science of scent with guided journaling to support self-discovery and intentional living. A passionate mental health advocate\, Christine believes that the simplest analog tools — a journal\, a candle\, a quiet moment of reflection — can be some of the most powerful catalysts for lasting change. Drawing from her own lived experience navigating life’s transitions\, Christine has made it her mission to help others slow down\, tune in\, and build wellness rituals that actually stick. Through Purposefull Goods and her work as a community advocate\, she creates space for people to reconnect with themselves with curiosity\, compassion\, and a little bit of joy. In this workshop\, Christine will guide participants through a grounding meditation and journaling exercise designed to help you reflect\, reset\, and bridge the gap between intention and everyday habit.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/sparkle-scribe-longevity-journaling-experience/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260717T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260717T100000
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SUMMARY:Salsarobics
DESCRIPTION:Get Ready to Move with SALSArobics!\nJoin Esther Gutierrez Sloan every Friday for a dynamic workout that blends fun\, rhythm\, and full-body movement. This class isn’t just about exercise – it’s about joy\, discovery\, and the thrill of dance! \nThroughout the session\, participants choose their intensity level – low\, moderate\, or high – while moving to irresistible Latin\, Caribbean\, Spanish\, and African beats. Options for both low-impact and high-impact movements allow everyone to customize their experience. \nEach class delivers an energizing workout that averages 4\,000 to 4\,200 steps\, with varying degrees of intensity. Esther integrates the Total Body Training (TBT) Systems Methodology to support proper posture and promote muscle conditioning. She also incorporates Peripheral Heart Action (PHA) Training\, offering an optional challenge that builds aerobic strength based on individual pace and rhythm. \nTo build coordination and balance\, the class includes inline motion drills. Participants move across the room using steps that change direction – laterally\, diagonally\, forward\, and backward – adding functional movement to the workout. \nThe session concludes with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretching to enhance flexibility and recovery. \nColombian-born Esther Gutierrez Sloan created SALSArobics in 1989 to fuse authentic Latin rhythms with aerobic exercise. She has performed on national and local television in Illinois\, California\, Florida\, and New York. In addition to leading classes\, she has presented SALSArobics at fitness conventions\, schools\, health clubs\, ethnic festivals\, and international events. \nIn recognition of her groundbreaking work\, Esther was inducted into the National Fitness Hall of Fame in 2010. Learn more about Esther and SALSArobics. \nFind out why dancing is so good for you in our newest blog.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/salsarobics-july-17/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Music,Wellness
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260718T110000
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SUMMARY:Tai Chi
DESCRIPTION:Tai Chi is an inclusive form of exercise that anyone can do\, whether you are in peak shape\, or have limited mobility. Despite its slow pace\, it is a valuable exercise for all ages\, read about the health benefits below. Dress comfortably and be prepared to have fun in Ken’s class. \nHealth Benefits \nTai Chi has numerous health benefits. It is good for balance\, flexibility\, and stress – regular Tai Chi practice can improve overall physical health and well-being. In fact\, Harvard Health suggests Tai Chi might be “…the perfect activity for the rest of your life.” \nAs a form of exercise\, researchers in Toronto found it is equivalent to brisk walking. So\, instead of worrying about your steps (how boring)\, join Ken’s class and have some more fun while you exercise. \nUnlike other forms of exercise\, Tai Chi movements are performed with relaxed muscles and a focus on deep breathing. Slow and gentle\, Tai Chi can improve blood flow\, balance\, and relaxation. Each Tai Chi pose flows into the next with circular\, continuous movements. This helps improve your balance and flexibility without putting strain on muscles and joints. \nTai Chi is also a very social activity\, commonly practiced in groups that rhythmically synchronize slow movements with deep breathing. Like meditation\, Tai Chi creates a calm and focused mind and can create a state of mindfulness. \nTai Chi also benefits emotional well-being and mental health. Regular Tai Chi practice can improve concentration\, physical self-awareness\, and create a sense of inner peace. Tai chi is a great exercise for relieving stress and has been shown to benefit hypertension and high blood pressure. \nWhat is Tai Chi? \nIt is a Chinese traditional exercise that blends martial arts’ movement with meditation. Dating back a thousand years\, Tai Chi remains a popular activity in China and around the world. \nTai Chi is a series of slow\, choreographed martial arts movements and poses. Tai Chi poses are circular and continuous\, with an emphasis on smooth transitions and maintaining a centered and grounded posture. Tai Chi poses mimic the movements of animals or nature\, such as flowing water or a bird in flight.  \nKen has been practicing martial arts for 27 years\, and started Tai Chi training in 1996 with Sifu Dale Washington\, Sifu Ban Toy in 2000 and Grand Master Yang Jun in 2006. He has been practicing Tai Chi for 21 years and teaching Tai Chi for 12 years. In 2016\, he received a Gold Eagle certificate from Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. certificate. Ken is also one of Grand Master Yang Jun’s Disciples for the Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan. He teaches Kickboxing and Full-contact Martial Arts teacher and is certified by Ng Family Martial Arts Association.
URL:https://gortoncenter.org/event/tai-chi-july-18/
LOCATION:Gorton Center\, 400 East Illinois Road\, Lake Forest\, IL\, 60045
CATEGORIES:Adults,Classes,Wellness
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