NEWSLETTER
read about the bike safety program, tai chi/qigong instructor bonner odell, our july member spotlight and more!
WAYNESBORO FAMILY YMCA
JULY 2026
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For nearly three decades, Brian Edwards wore a police badge, serving the Waynesboro community as an officer. Today, you'll find him in a different role—helping students solve algebra problems instead of criminal cases—but one thing hasn't changed: his commitment to making his community stronger. And throughout both careers, The WFYMCA has been there. "I've probably been a member for about 25 years," Brian said. "It's not just a gym—it's a community. We're like a family up here." Originally from Reston, Virginia, Brian came to the Shenandoah Valley to attend Bridgewater College, where he met his wife, Michele. They settled in the Fishersville and Waynesboro area in the early 1990s, raised three children, and made the WFYMCA a regular part of family life. "My kids grew up here," he said. "They've had birthday parties here, gone to camps here, even worked here. It's been part of our family's life." Today, Brian is a familiar face in the fitness center, usually found on his favorite elliptical machine. While he once incorporated weight training into his routine, injuries over the years—including broken bones and a torn quadriceps tendon—have led him to embrace low-impact cardio. The Y played an important role in his recovery. "This place has really helped me recover from injuries," Brian said. "My orthopedic surgeon was amazed at how quickly I got my mobility back, and I attribute a lot of that to what I do here." But fitness has become about much more than physical health. "Some of my best thinking happens when I'm alone with my thoughts, doing cardio," he said. "The faster I get my heart going, the faster my mind works." Each workout offers a chance to recharge mentally while providing what Brian calls "the biggest sense of accomplishment" in his day. It has also become a personal check-in. "It tells me how I'm doing," he explained. "If I have a good workout, I know I'm feeling good. If I don't, it's a reminder to slow down, rest, and take care of myself." After retiring from the police department in 2019, Brian took only a weekend off before beginning his second career as a high school math teacher at Valley Academy, an alternative education program serving students who have struggled in traditional school settings. Ironically, math wasn't his favorite subject growing up. "I'm a better math teacher than I was a math student," he laughed. His years in law enforcement shaped the way he approaches education. After seeing multiple generations of the same families cycle through the criminal justice system, Brian became convinced that education could change lives. "Putting them in jail isn't going to work," he said. "Let's get them into education." That philosophy drives him every day in the classroom. "I've never met one of these kids who can't learn," Brian said. "They're smart." His passion for helping others extends beyond the classroom and reflects what he values most about The WFYMCA. "I'm very affectionate toward the Y because of what it does for the community," he said. "The Y isn't just a business. It's here to serve the community, and it's been doing that for generations." As Brian looks ahead, staying active isn't about chasing personal records. It's about preserving the ability to continue serving others and enjoying life with his family. "It's not just adding years to my life," he said. "It's making the years I have better." For Brian, that's what the Y has always represented—a place where stronger individuals build a stronger community.
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Brian Edwards
Y is Constant Through Member's Community-Oriented Careers
Bonner Odell has spent a lifetime exploring movement. Beginning with gymnastics in her youth , she later earned a master's degree in dance from Mills College in Oakland, California. Her introduction to Tai Chi came while living near San Francisco, where she watched a group of older adults practicing together in Chinatown. She was captivated by the graceful movements and amazed by the strength, flexibility, and vitality they displayed. After becoming a mother, Bonner pursued formal Tai Chi training with Sifu Ray Chin at Yee's Martial Arts in Hercules, California, where she studied for six years. Today she enjoys sharing both Tai Chi and Qigong as gentle movement practices that cultivate balance, awareness, health, and inner calm. A Passion for Tai Chi & Qigong For Bonner, Tai Chi is much more than exercise - it's a moving meditation that invites harmony between body, mind, and spirit. She describes it as a practice that helps people experience a deeper sense of peace while becoming more aware of how they move through everyday life. Participants often report feeling relaxed, energized, and mentally clear after class. Many notice improvements in balance, coordination, posture, and confidence in everyday movement. Veterans have shared that the practice helps ease symptoms of PTSD, while others living with Parkinson's disease, heart conditions, or cancer have found comfort and renewed well-being through gentle movement. Bonner especially loves practicing outdoors during the summer months. Classes held along the Greenway become an immersive experience, with the sounds of the South River, birdsong, and swaying trees serving as reminders that we are part of the larger flow of life. Nature becomes an extension of the practice itself. A Longstanding WFYMCA Tradition Bonner has been teaching Tai Chi and Qigong at the Waynesboro Family YMCA since 2021. Interestingly, her journey to the Y began when she stopped by simply to hang flyers for an outdoor Parks and Recreation Tai Chi class. A conversation at the Welcome Desk led her to apply for the YMCA position, and what began as a chance encounter became a meaningful ministry of movement within our community. Over the past six years, her classes have evolved into a welcoming drop-in format that makes Tai Chi accessible to everyone. What Participants Can Expect No experience is necessary. Each class begins with approximately twenty minutes of gentle Qigong warm-up movements coordinated with deep breathing. Participants then learn the Yang Style Ten Set, with one movement explored in greater depth each week. Classes often include mindful walking exercises that improve balance and coordination before concluding with a relaxing Qigong sequence inspired by nature. The atmosphere is friendly, welcoming, and full of laughter. Members introduce themselves, encourage one another, and learn at their own pace. Bonner emphasizes body awareness rather than perfection, making the class an ideal place for beginners, those just returning to exercise, and anyone seeking a calmer approach to fitness. Hear what the students have to say: "I feel relaxed, but more alert after every class." "My balance has improved, and I'm much more aware of how I move throughout the day." "Everyone is so welcoming. You immediately feel like you're part of the group." Join us at the Waynesboro Family YMCA for Tai Chi/Qigong Saturdays 10-11
"If you're curious at all, commit to trying just one class. The focus is on body awareness and personal health - not perfection of form - so you really can't mess up!" - Bonner Odell
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Instructor Creates Space for Well-Being, Mentally and Physically
CORNER OF YOUR Y: Tai Chi/Qigong
Dispelling Common Misconceptions Around Hydration
Remember to Recover as Part of a Healthy Fitness Routine
When people think about improving their fitness, they often focus on working out. While exercise is important, many of the habits that support fitness happen beyond the workout. Sleep, hydration, stretching, and rest days are essential parts of a healthy routine. In fact, these recovery habits often determine how energized, strong, and consistent we feel from day to day. Like a touch of summer vacation, these interludes serve to replenish and restore. Quality sleep is one of the most powerful tools for recovery. During sleep, the body repairs tissues, balances hormones, and restores energy. Most adults need 7–9 hours of sleep each night. A simple habit such as maintaining a regular bedtime can help improve sleep quality and support better exercise performance. Hydration is essential, especially during the summer months. Don't wait until you feel thirsty to drink. Water helps regulate body temperature, transport nutrients, and support muscle function. Carrying a water bottle, drinking a glass of water with meals, or taking a few sips before and after exercise are easy habits that can make a big difference. Finally, remember that stretching and rest days are are part of a smart fitness plan. Gentle stretching can address feelings of stiffness and tension, while rest days allow the body to recover and adapt to exercise. Lasting fitness is built through consistency, and consistency is easier to maintain when recovery becomes part of the routine. Yoga is a wonderful recovery choice that you can find on the Group Fitness Schedule, and includes Classic Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Chair Yoga, Vinyasa Flow and Yin Yoga.
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Staying hydrated is one of the simplest ways to support your health, especially during the warm summer months. Yet despite its importance, there are many common misconceptions about how much we should drink and what really counts toward staying hydrated. Understanding the facts can help you make smarter choices, feel your best, and build healthy habits that last all year. Let's separate the myths from the truths and explore easy ways to stay hydrated every day. As temperatures rise, our bodies lose more fluids through sweat as they work to stay cool. This means that staying hydrated becomes even more important during hot, humid weather or when spending time outdoors. Children, older adults, people with chronic health conditions, and anyone working or exercising in the heat may be at an even greater risk of dehydration and heat-related illness. It's also important to recognize the warning signs of heat-related illnesses. Heat exhaustion can develop when the body loses excessive water and electrolytes through sweating. Symptoms may include heavy sweating, dizziness, weakness, headache, nausea, muscle cramps, and cool, clammy skin. If left untreated, heat exhaustion can progress to heat stroke, a life-threatening medical emergency. Warning signs of heat stroke include a body temperature of 104°F (40°C) or higher, confusion, difficulty speaking, loss of consciousness, seizures, or hot, red skin that may be dry or only slightly sweaty. If you suspect someone is experiencing heat stroke, call 911 immediately, move the person to a cooler location, and begin cooling them while waiting for emergency medical help. The good news is that preventing dehydration is often simple. Drinking fluids regularly, choosing water-rich foods, taking breaks from the heat, and listening to your body's needs can go a long way toward keeping you healthy and active all summer long. Let's separate the myths from the truths and explore practical strategies for staying safely hydrated every day. Myth #1: You only need to drink water when you're thirsty. Truth: Thirst is often a late signal. By the time you feel thirsty, you may already be mildly dehydrated. Myth #2: Everyone needs exactly eight glasses of water a day. Truth: Fluid needs vary based on age, body size, activity level, climate, and overall health. There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation. Myth #3: Coffee and tea cause dehydration. Truth: Moderate amounts of coffee and tea contribute to daily fluid intake, even though they contain caffeine. Good hydration should be a daily habit. Drinking fluids regularly, eating water-rich foods, and paying attention to your body's signals can help support energy, health, and exercise performance all summer long. Add extra water intake to your routine; for example, drink a small cup of water before your first cup of coffee in the morning! Smart Summer Hydration Habits Carry a reusable water bottle wherever you go. Drink consistently throughout the day—not just during exercise. Eat water-rich foods such as watermelon, strawberries, cucumbers, oranges, peaches, tomatoes, and lettuce. Limit excessive alcohol, which can increase fluid loss. On extremely hot or humid days, slow your pace and take more frequent cooling breaks
TRAINER TIPS: The Power of Rest
Our skillful, experienced yoga instructors (pictured here) offer one-on-one yoga instruction to get you started or deepen your practice. Please, contact Kat Draego at kdraego@ymcawaynesboro.org for details or specific requests.
MYTHS VS TRUTHS: Staying Hydrated
It's all fun and games during summer camp at The WFYMCA. It's an important part of learning social and emotional skills that teach valuable lessons.
The music is blasting an infectious beat. Preschool campers are already shrieking with delight as they race across the gym, calling out, "Mr. Jeff! Mr. Jeff!" It's the kind of joyful chaos that's impossible to ignore—full of laughter, movement and energy. Rather than feeling overwhelming, it draws you in, making you want to join the fun. That enthusiasm is exactly what The WFYMCA's summer camp is designed to inspire. From Preschool PE to Bike Safety, campers of all ages are discovering that movement can be fun while building confidence, friendships and skills they'll carry with them long after summer ends. One of the highlights of preschool camp is Preschool PE, led by familiar face Jeff Fife. Fife's connection to The WFYMCA spans more than four decades. He began as a volunteer in 1983, joined the staff in 1986, served in a variety of roles—including childcare—and later spent 20 years as CEO before retiring. Today, he's back in the gym simply because he enjoys helping the next generation discover the joy of being active. "The Y is all about helping kids and families," Fife said. "The childcare, in particular, was always something that I really saw the difference that we made. I'm honored to be able to continue to help and support." For Childcare Director Becca Patton, Fife's continued involvement is invaluable. "Having Jeff come in and volunteer to do Preschool PE is great for the program," Patton said. "Jeff is high energy all the time, and the preschoolers love that. It's so nice to have someone other than their classroom teachers who is engaging them and having fun with them. It prepares them for PE experiences once they go to kindergarten." She also appreciates that his support extends well beyond one weekly activity. "For me personally, I love that he has chosen to continue to support the childcare program—not just with PE classes, but also our Movie Nights, various DJ opportunities and so much more," Patton said. "I know that he is a phone call away if childcare ever needs anything." Each Preschool PE session is built around three simple goals: having fun, staying active, and learning in a safe, supportive environment. While the activities may look like simple games, each one is intentionally designed to help children develop important skills. Whether campers are tossing a ball, practicing soccer fundamentals or playing imaginative movement games, they're strengthening hand-eye coordination, balance and confidence without feeling like they're in a lesson. "It's not about doing it right the first time," Fife said. "It's about getting better and better every time you do it." Instead of emphasizing competition, the focus is on personal growth. Children are encouraged to try new skills at their own pace and celebrate their own progress. Fife also believes active play is more important than ever. "When I was that age, the clicking sounds you would hear were the baseball cards I put in the spokes of my bike," he said. "Now the clicking sounds you hear are on an iPad, an iPhone or a game controller. Preschool PE is really important to me because I want these kids to be active and engaged and see that it can be super fun." That same philosophy continues with elementary campers through The WFYMCA's Bike Safety program in partnership with the Office on Youth, now in its second summer. The program teaches much more than how to ride a bike. Campers learn essential safety skills, including hand signals, riding safely on streets, and proper trail and greenway etiquette. Along the way, they're developing confidence and mastering a lifelong skill. But according to Patton, some of the most meaningful lessons happen between the campers themselves. "They get to move their bodies and learn a lifelong skill," she said. "But the one thing I noticed last year and again this year is that they learn to support and cheer for each other. When someone learns how to ride for the first time, not only is that child so proud of themselves, but their peers are proud of them too." She has watched experienced riders climb off their own bikes to help classmates who are still learning. "There's no laughing at them or making fun of them," Patton said. "It's true support and true friendship. That is what we strive to make our program about. Bike Safety days help us make that a reality." Whether preschoolers are laughing through a game of soccer, learning to catch a ball or elementary campers are celebrating a friend's first successful bike ride, The WFYMCA's summer camp is about much more than staying busy during the summer months. It's about creating opportunities for children to move, grow, encourage one another and discover what they're capable of—one joyful moment at a time.
The Office on Youth partners with the Y to bring the Bike Safety program to the older campers.
SPECIAL FEATURE: Keeping Kids Moving
WFYMCA Summer Camp Builds Confidence Through Active Play