BAC staff member Heather Taylor will be working with Rebound of Whatcom County’s Ray of Hope summer camp program this summer! Ray of Hope is a 7 week day camp for school aged children with emotional, behavioral, and
economic challenges. Most of the kids that Rebound serves are low income and cannot afford to come to camp on their own, and they NEED YOUR HELP! So where does dodgeball fit in to summer camp? To help raise money for scholarships, Rebound is hosting their 3rd annual Throw It! Dodge It! Give It! Dodgeball Tournament on May 30th from 10am-3pm at the Bellingham Sports Plex! All proceeds go to help send vulnerable kids in our community to Ray of Hope where they will learn social skills to healthily cope with various life traumas. Cost is $35/person ($25/students) which includes a FREE LUNCH as well as prizes for Top Finishers, Best Costume, and Best Team Name! There will also be a raffle and gifts for the players. Your entry fee goes directly toward helping send one child to camp this summer. Heather’s goal is to raise enough money to scholarship one kid’s camp tuition (that’s $1200!). Registration closes on May 20th, so be sure to register your team early to save your spot! Don’t like dodge ball but want to help sponsor a kid? You still can! Heather will also be collecting check donations if dodge ball isn’t your thing! For more info about Rebound, Ray of Hope, or to register for the Dodgeball Tournament you can visit www.reboundwc.org or you can contact Heather at 425.286.4861 or taylor.heather.r@gmail.com

WHY: To benefit the American Cancer Society and enjoy an afternoon of golf
WHEN: May 29th, 2015 – 1:00pm Shotgun Start
WHERE: Sudden Valley Golf Course
HOW: Fill out the form below and submit with payment to Bellingham Athletic Club. The tournament will be limited to the first twenty-four teams to register and pay. Come and join us for fun and prizes and dinner at El Agave Restaurant following the tournament.
*If you would like to donate for the tournament or become a hole sponsor ($125), contact Brian Porter at 303-0900.
REGISTRATION: $400.00 (100.00 per player) – Includes Golf Cart & dinner at El Agave
DEADLINE: May 20th or the first 24 teams to enter before that date

For the very first time, the Color Run™ is coming to Bellingham. The “Happiest 5k on the Planet” will take place on Sunday, August 16, 2015 and BAC members have formed a team. Simply register at www.thecolorrun.com/bellingham and choose the “Run/Walk/Dance/Cartwheel/Party Wave option”. Our team is called “Run BAC Run!” and every BAC member and their friends are welcome to join it. Hurry before the event gets sold out! Contact Celine at 501-765-6310 if you have any questions.
Run, BAC, Run!

New session begins March 18th!
If you’re interested in learning the basic principles of Tai Chi movement, wish to have a gentle workout, and learn and practice a Tai Chi form, you may wish to attend this basic introductory 4-week class. You can sign-up on the waiting list at both club locations.
Minimum 6 Participants.
When: 4 Wednesdays
Where: BAC Cordata
Time: 10:45-11:45am
Cost: $40 Members / $50 Non Members
Join others for the benefits of Tai Chi. Balance, relaxation, coordination, strengthening and vitality. This is a 5 week workshop, Wednesday mornings at the Downtown facility. See the Front Desk for sign ups

WHAT IS TAI CHI?
Tai Chi is an ancient Chinese form of martial arts. It is a mind-body, self-healing system that uses movement, meditation, and breathing to improve health and well-being.

OVERVEIW:
Research has shown tai chi is useful as a form of exercise that may improve posture, balance, muscle mass and tone, flexibility, stamina, and strength in older adults. Tai chi is also recognized as a method to reduce stress that can provide the same cardiovascular benefits as moderate exercise, such as lowered heart rate and blood pressure.

BENEFITS OF A TAI CHI PRACTICE:
People who practice the deep breathing and physical movements of tai chi report it makes them feel more relaxed, younger, agile, and helps their circulation. Its slow, graceful movements, accompanied by rhythmic breathing ,relaxes the body as well as the mind. Research has found that Tai Chi can reduce stress, lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. There is also evidence that Tai Chi is particularly suited for older adults, or for others who are not physically strong or healthy. Proponents claim tai chi balances the flow of vital energy or life force called chi, which serves to prevent illness, improve general health, and extend life. It is also based on the theory of yin and yang.

WHAT DOES TAI CHI INVOLVE?
Tai chi students begin by learning a series of gentle, deliberate movements called forms. Each form contains between 20 to 100 moves, and requires up to 20 minutes to complete. Each form derives its name from nature, for example, “Wave Hands Like Clouds,” or “Grasping the Bird’s Tail.” In order to balance the yin and yang, the movements are practiced in pairs of opposites. Tai chi relies entirely on technique rather than strength or power.