Stay Connected to Your Y Community While Practicing Social Distancing
The Y has always brought people together. During a time of community-mandated closures and recommendations to shut down programs and limit gatherings, Ys are maintaining connections with their communities at a distance online.
Stay virtually connected to the Y through these activities from Ys across the U.S. that will help you maintain a healthy mind, body and spirit from the comfort of your home.
Please note that we use affiliate links, including Amazon Smile Opens a new window, which donates a small percentage of purchases back to the Y.
At-Home Workouts
YMCA 360: Your Virtual YMCA
The Y may be closed temporarily, but we’re still here for our community. That’s why we’re so excited to launch online exercise and youth programs to support your health and well-being from home with YMCA360 Opens a new window.
This is our revolution that blends the best of ballet and strength in a safe and exciting class.
Our circuit-based classes are energetic, fun and allow you to tailor the workout intensity to your fitness and skill level.
This unique martial art is for all ages and levels. Tai Chi promotes strength, coordination, posture, concentration, and energy level.
Weightlifting Opens a new window
Learn the basics of core Olympic lifts with professional instruction and demonstration.
Our homegrown boxing program, YBOX is a total-body workout featuring the basics of boxing from punching and elbow strikes to footwork and defense.
With different levels for everyone, Y yoga is an effective combination of traditional movements and mindfulness using flexibility, breathing and strength.
Recharge with the Y From Home
Find a sense of peace and connection with your body while releasing tension with this at-home video series Opens a new window led by PMA-certified Pilates instructor, certified Breathwork facilitator and Clinical Qigong practitioner, Tutu Mora (Dorothy). We'll feature a new video every weekday at 3pm CST here on YouTube Opens a new window.
My Y Virtual
The My Y Virtual YouTube channel features a variety of workouts, from Pilates, to Tabata, to mind body and cardio and strength and a 14-minute workout specifically for active older adults.
Daily Resource Roundup
We're sourcing the web for resources on staying healthy mentally and physically while practicing social distancing, including ways to have some fun from home, like recipes and virtual museum tours!
April 2, 2020
- If you find getting 150 minutes of physical activity each week daunting, read these tips Opens a new window to fit it in or break it up and have fun in the process.
- Animal shelters in New York City Opens a new window and across the country are emptying out as people adopt dogs and cats. Contact your local shelters if you'd like to welcome a new friend to your home!
April 1, 2020
- Two resilient who women survived the Spanish Flu, Great Depression and the Holocaust share their advice Opens a new window for getting through this difficult time.
- Just because you're home may not mean you have more time for meal preparation. Here are 35 healthy dinner recipes Opens a new window that can be made in less than 30 minutes.
- People are decorating their windows with hearts and messages of hope. Find some inspiration Opens a new window and try it yourself!
March 31, 2020
- Scribd is making their library of millions of ebooks, audiobooks, magazine articles, and more available to anyone, free, for 30 days through this link Opens a new window.
- Learn new career skills or brush up on current ones with free virtual events and webinars Opens a new window from the likes of Salesforce, Adobe and more.
- Good news—the same physician whose 1964 vaccine beat back rubella is working to defeat the new coronavirus Opens a new window!
March 30, 2020
- Curious about meditating and reaping all of its wonderful benefits? Get started with free meditations and support from Headspace Opens a new window!
- The arrival of spring may have you hankering to take your workout outside. Learn more about outdoor activities Opens a new window in the time of coronavirus, and as always, please heed the advice of your personal physician.
- Visit one of the Seven Wonders of the World from your home with this virtual tour of the Great Wall of China Opens a new window.
March 27, 2020
- Take these seven steps Opens a new window to manage your mental and physical health during social distancing.
- These uplifting stories of neighbors helping Opens a new window during the coronavirus will inspire you to do the same, Reader's Digest.
- Watch the aurora borealis Opens a new window (Northern Lights) live from directly underneath the aurora oval in Churchill, Manitoba, which is one of the best places on earth to view this ethereal phenomenon!
March 26, 2020
- Yesterday, we took you on a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art Opens a new window. Today, visit 10 more museums Opens a new window around the world, including an opportunity to spend some time in the ornate rooms of the Palace of Versailles Opens a new window and even get up close to the faces on the ceiling frescoes!
- Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D. shares 10 ways to boost your immunity Opens a new window, many of which you may already have in your pantry (hint: garlic is one of them).
- With unprecedented mandates like social distancing and the many unknowns surrounding COVID-19, not to mention the actual loss of lives, you may find yourself grieving without even realizing it. Learn how to acknowledge and work through those feelings Opens a new window.
March 25, 2020
- It may feel like there isn't much good news about coronavirus, but Harvard Health Publishing has listed a few reasons for optimism Opens a new window.
- CNET has rounded up 10 ways to enrich and entertain yourself from home Opens a new window, including how you can access live streaming opera from The Metropolitan Opera!
- Visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art without the crowds (and with soothing music) through the Met 360° Project Opens a new window.
March 24, 2020
- 6 Positive Pieces Of News We've Heard So Far This Week Opens a new window, MBG Planet
- Getting Bored? Here's A List Of Free Things That Weren't Free Before Coronavirus Opens a new window, NPR
- These Are the Kitchen Staples We're Stocking up on—Plus 25 Family-Friendly Recipes You Can Make With Them Opens a new window, Real Simple
- Yale's Massively Popular 'Happiness' Course is Available Free Online Opens a new window, CNN
March 23, 2020
- 19 immersive museum exhibits you can visit from your couch Opens a new window, PBS
- Comforting Streaming TV Shows for Stressful Times Opens a new window, New York Times
- Need to Get Outside? These 5 National Parks Offer Virtual Tours You Can Take From the Comfort of Home Opens a new window, Travel & Leisure
- Psychology experts share their tips for safeguarding your mental health during quarantine Opens a new window, CNBC
March 20, 2020
- Dear Therapist’s Guide to Staying Sane During a Pandemic Opens a new window, The Atlantic
- Easy Recipes to Cook While You're Self-Quarantined Opens a new window, New York Times
- Fight Stress with Healthy Habits Opens a new window, American Heart Association
- Stress Relief from Laughter? It's no Joke Opens a new window, Mayo Clinic
- What to Do if Your'e Anxious About Coronavirus Opens a new window, Huffington Post
March 19, 2020
- How to Stockpile Healthy and Nutritious Food Opens a new window, Business Insider
- Tired of Netflix? 14 World-Class Museums Offering Virtual Tours Right From Your Laptop Opens a new window, Robb Report
- What Therapists Tell Patients Who are Anxious About Coronavirus Opens a new window, Huffington Post
- Why Keeping a Routine During Uncertain Times is Good for Your Mental Health Opens a new window, The Latch
- Workout on the Go Mini Exercise Guide Opens a new window, National Institute on Aging
Stories of Hope and Inspiration
Looking for inspiration or solidarity? Look no further!
- Colorado lined up child care for 1,000 essential workers in one week, Colorado Sun Opens a new window
- YMCA offers emergency child care for front-line workers desperate for help, Today.com Opens a new window
- YMCA of Silicon Valley Opens a new window served over 1,000 meals in one day at one site alone!
- This teen Opens a new window donated her tax return to YMCA of Centre County as they help feed kids in the community during school closures.
- Lakers star Kyle Kuzma Opens a new window has teamed up with YMCA of Greater Flint Opens a new window to donate meals to seniors being affected by the coronavirus.
Stay in Touch
Many Ys have set up hotlines so they can stay in touch with their community during closures. Find your your nearest Y through the link below to see what services they are offering to stay connected right now.
