MooreFit’s Latest Challenge Encourages “De-Stressing”

PINEHURST- As “March Madness” rolls around, you may find yourself feeling that the madness is not just on the basketball court but also in your hectic life.

So how do you escape from the madness? Well, relaxation, of course. And MooreFit will offer that exact solution for Moore County businesses beginning March 1.

“Ready, Set, De-Stress” is the seventh segment for MooreFit, a program that began in 2008 as a way to encourage employees of participating companies across the county to eat healthy and exercise.

“De-Stress was chosen with hopes of addressing stress management of employees,” says MooreFit committee chair Roxanne Leopper.

In fall 2010, MooreFit University began offering various classes in three different disciplines: nutrition and eating, physical activity and overall wellness. Past events have included “Ready, Set, Dance!” and “Ready, Set, Walk.”

“Ready, Set, De-Stress” offers various educational classes to include: yoga, hot yoga, T’ai Chi Chih, meditation, coping with stress, breathing techniques, massage techniques, nature walking and pet therapy. Each class teaches a different technique to help de-stress.

Both afternoon and evening classes will be offered to MooreFit to accommodate employees who work on different shifts. Classes will be held in different locations throughout Moore County including the FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness-Pinehurst, Sandhills Community College, select Moore County Schools locations and Hot Asana Yoga Studio and Boutique.

Instructors from various wellness centers in Moore County will teach the classes. Already confirmed is Virginia Gallagher, an instructor at Hot Asana, who will teach Beginner Hot Yoga.

As part of a continuing effort to expand MooreFit, the segments offered are part of a corporate challenge. The company with the greatest percentage of participation in the “Ready, Set, De-Stress” classes will be recognized. A winner will be picked from each small, medium and large business category. The winning businesses will get a plaque of recognition, as well as “bragging rights.”

The program launches at the Fair Barn on Thursday, March 1, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. The kickoff event will include “Tea Time,” courtesy of Mario Caso, owner of Lady Bedford’s Tea Parlor; a pet therapy demonstration; and yoga demonstrations from the FirstHealth Center for Health & Fitness-Pinehurst.

A complete schedule of classes will be available at the kickoff event and class registration will be accepted. Online registration is available during and after the kick-off event at www.moorefit.org.

The competition will run from March 5 through May 4. Individuals must complete three classes to be eligible for a prize drawing at the finale on May 10, and participants must be present to win.

Prizes from random drawings will include gifts from FirstSpa and Pinehurst Resort.

Any company in Moore County can join MooreFit. Although the competition is employee based competition, the MooreFit Committee hopes with this segment to restore a sense of competition among businesses. All companies in Moore County are encouraged to participate.

“Employers and their employees can try all classes for free,” Leopper says. “Participating in MooreFit is a great way for employees to learn how to improve their health while adopting healthy lifestyle habits.”

Companies and individuals may register at www.moorefit.org. New businesses interested in registering must register as a “New Employer.” Individuals registering must link their employer to their name.