Mike Parisi, former St. Louis Cardinals’ pitcher, coaches student at YWCA Greenwich. contributed photo
YWCA Greenwich is starting off the New Year with a variety of exciting new
programs for youth fitness. The Winter/Spring programs begin in January. Registration is open, and the YWCA is currently offering discounts for new members.
Beginning in January, Little Flower Yoga will be available for ages 3 – 12 years. Claudia Foster, a Greenwich Country Day teacher, runs the program and is certified in the Little Flower Yoga method. This unique program combines yoga with mindfulness, which is proven to help students improve attention, social emotional functioning, and a sense of control that helps students be better prepared for school and life.
Another new program for boys and girls ages 5 – 12 years is TGA Golf. Tom Blumenthal will bring the TGA program to Greenwich. Tom has spent his career in the business of golf. The TGA program promises to have students ready
to hit the course by spring. Students not only develop the fundamentals of golf, but also participate in STEAM labs that allow them to explore academic concepts like gravity, force and spin that will deepen their understanding of the game. The program also allows for individualized attention to address the needs of students at all skill levels.
Junior Babe Ruth League
Also recently announced, YWCA Greenwich is taking over the Town of Greenwich’s Junior Babe Ruth League, giving players access to the YWCA’s great coaching staff, including Chief Instructor Mike Parisi, former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher.
Kyle Wirtz, Director of Health and Fitness, YWCA Greenwich, will be responsible for all aspects of the program. The YWCA also offers off-season baseball clinics, strength and skill training and hitting clinics for students who want to get a jump on the season.
The YWCA Tennis Program has also received a makeover. USPTA certified instructors Hugh and Betsy Underhill are the new coaches. Together, Hugh and Betsy have more than 50 years of coaching experience both at Greenwich and Darien High Schools and in local Greenwich country clubs. Hugh coaches varsity tennis and squash at Darien High School, and has been an avid tennis coach and player for more than 30 years. Betsy, who also teaches YWCA Pickleball, has been the girls’ varsity tennis coach at Greenwich High School for more than 20 years and has coached her teams to 6 State titles and 6 county titles and 4 doubles teams have won the State Open tournaments. Winter/Spring tennis for tots (ages 3 – 5 years) begins indoors on January 5. Spring Youth Tennis for ages 3 – 13 begins March 13. Both programs run through June 9.
For more information about YWCA Greenwich memberships and programs, contact Michelle Pennino@m.pennino@ywcagreenwich.org or visit our website at www.ywcagreenwich.org.