GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Every Monday night through August 5, the Boston Square Community Parklet will come alive at 6 p.m. with people working toward healthy lives. The parklet is hosting free fitness classes for people in the community.
"We started in June and the community wanted us to continue. It was fun, so that's what we're doing," said Odessa Yonkers, who teaches the classes and owns the Boston Square Wellness Collective.
Yonkers said she enjoys removing the barrier of cost for people who want to explore fitness options.
"It means a lot. We've done similar classes before at the studio, where if you are new to fitness, you can come in and do your first couple of classes free. I just love giving back to the 49507 [zip code]. I grew up in this area and to be able to offer fitness to this community means a lot to me," she said.
"A lot of my family suffered from a lot of dietary-related illnesses. My father passed away nearly 20 years ago from a massive heart attack. He was obese and fitness was something we didn't really grow up doing. So it means a lot to be able to do this for the 49507, do this for my community, do this for my family, and do this for myself. I love fitness. It's my passion."
Yonkers also said people should be on the lookout for the first event of the GR On The Move initiative.
"We will be gathering here and in other areas throughout Grand Rapids. We'll be biking and kayaking. I think our first event that we're going to do for that initiative is going to be a yoga and kayaking event. So stay tuned for that," she said.
If you'd like to stay up-to-date with Wellness With Odessa, the Boston Square Wellness Collective, or GR On The Move, you can follow their Facebook pages.
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