Health Directions

11/29/2025

⭐️Class Spotlight - Mobility⭐️

Health Directions provides a diverse range of classes centered on mobility. These sessions promote free movement and reduce the risk of injury, both in the gym and beyond. Our offerings include:

* Functional Flow
* Lengthen and Strengthen
* Yoga
* Chair Yoga

By emphasizing the enhancement of joint strength and range of motion, our mobility classes enable participants to move with ease and feel their best.

11/27/2025

11/27/2025

Happy Thanksgiving from Health Directions!

11/26/2025

Are you in search of the perfect Christmas 🎁?

Give the 🎁 of Health this holiday season!

We provide a diverse range of programs tailored to individual health and wellness needs. Consider purchasing a Health Directions gift certificate for any amount. These gift certificates can be applied toward any Health Directions service, including:

🎁Annual Membership
🎁Temporary Membership
🎁Personal Training
🎁Specialty Programs:
-Better Balance I & II
-Boot Camp
-EDGE Boot Camp
-Functional Movement – NEW
-Maintaining the EDGE
-Mobility for Movement I & II

Be sure to check out our website at www.healthdirections.com for additional information regarding our programs and services. We also invite you to plan a visit after the Thanksgiving holiday!

11/26/2025

Well-being Wednesdays w/ Tami
November 26, 2025

At the core of every person, we desire to live a life of meaning. We want to feel valued and connected. We know we are part of something bigger than ourselves. Each one of us desires to know our purpose. Expressing gratitude takes the focus off ourselves and directs it to our higher calling to make a difference in the world around us.

How does the spiritual practice of gratitude impact us scientifically?

· The hormone oxytocin is released, building trust and making us feel connected.
· The amygdala activity decreases, reducing feelings of fear and stress.
· The prefrontal cortex is activated, which increases our feelings of empathy.
· The blood flow to the frontal lobe increases analytical thinking and impulse control.
· The mood boosters dopamine and serotonin promote a sense of calm.
· The brain cortices tied to perception and self-reflection thicken and become more resilient.
· The anterior cingulate cortex is strengthened, which heightens social awareness.
· The positive neural pathways grow, which increases compassion.
· The brain reward system is activated, reducing our bias towards negativity.
· The stress hormone levels out during prayer and meditation.
· The default mode network (DMN) is quieted, reducing self-doubt and overthinking.
· The mirror neuron system is strengthened, which increases bonding with others.

Gratitude helps us develop a growth mindset, realizing that our struggle serves a greater purpose. Our challenges can be shared to help others through theirs. Living a life of thankfulness is one filled with satisfaction.

This 4-minute video is a sweet story about how small things make a huge impact. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tznztJVsW9E

11/25/2025

⭐️HD Staff Spotlight - Meg Kabis⭐️

Meg moved from Pittsburgh to SC right before the pandemic. After this time of social isolation, she found Health Directions to have a culture of all-around self-care. She joined the Member Service Representative team in early 2023 and has been impressed with the discipline of the members. They are committed to their health, and she's here to celebrate it. Meg makes our members feel comfortable and well cared for. When Meg isn't working her evening shift, she's busy visiting her three children or making her legendary homemade meatballs. We love having Meg as a valued part of our Health Directions Family.

11/24/2025

HD's Thanksgiving Holiday Hours

Wednesday, November 26, 2025
5:00 AM - 12:30 PM
w/ Regular AM classes

Thursday, November 27, 2025
CLOSED

Friday, November 28, 2025
7:45 AM - 6:00 PM
w/ Regular 8 AM, 9 AM, 10 AM classes*

*8 AM TRX – Mike
*9 AM Line Dance – Paula
*10 AM Chair Yoga – Mike

11/20/2025

⭐️Class Spotlight - Cycle⭐️

Cycle classes are high-energy, cardio workouts. With a focus on speed and endurance, these classes get the legs moving and the heart pumping. This low-impact choreographed activity also builds strength, especially in the legs, glutes, and core.

We have many cycle classes available at various times. This 5:05 am featured class provides an excellent opportunity to get your day started right. Special Saturday Advanced cycle events, such as the one featured, are an exciting time for a 60-minute experience. Our next one will be held on Saturday, December 6th.

11/19/2025

Well-being Wednesdays w/ Tami
November 19, 2025

Our brains are designed with the ability to change. This rewiring process is called neuroplasticity. We all know that gratitude makes us feel better, but did you know it creates improvements beyond our mental health? We all desire clarity in our thinking. We want improved abilities to learn and remember. We want to stimulate our creativity. Practicing thankfulness transforms the chemistry of the brain, allowing these and other positive changes.

How does expressing gratitude rewire our brain?

· The prefrontal cortex increases in density, which leads to higher-level thinking.
· The amygdala activity lessens, which calms the fight-or-flight response.
· The neural pathways are strengthened, which makes finding positivity easier.
· The stress hormone cortisol production decreases, which allows calmness.
· The medial prefrontal cortex is activated, which increases empathy and understanding.
· The reward pathways stimulate dopamine production, which increases pleasure.
· The neurons in the brainstem release serotonin, which levels our mood.
· The limbic system is regulated, which creates stability and resilience.
· The hypothalamus is activated to produce oxytocin, which improves sleep.

As our brains change, expressing thankfulness becomes easier. As positive habits reinforce positive changes, a brain loop is created. We become more positive people, which makes it easier to discover gratitude even during challenging times. Switching our focus from dwelling on the problem allows for a new perspective with possible solutions. If we want a life full of joy, science shows that gratitude is a valuable place to start.

This 3-minute video shows how gratitude rewires your brain for happiness.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_96nkgP7NtQ

11/18/2025

⭐️HD Staff Spotlight - Mickie Ishizue & Lois Leaburn⭐️

Mickie and Lois have been a part of Health Directions since early 2017. They joined for the classes and stayed for community and fun! These sisters are marathon runners; one has even completed several ultramarathons. You might catch them behind the desk, in a class, or in personal training.

Looking for some post-retirement connections, Lois joined the Member Services Representative staff in 2020. Inspired by Lois, Mickie combined forces over a year ago. You will see them primarily on Monday mornings with warm greetings and eagerness to help. This dynamic duo's business background and enthusiasm for fitness make them a huge asset to our Health Directions family.

11/14/2025

⭐️Class Spotlight: Express Fitness T/Th 3:45 PM⭐️

Do you like making the most of your workout time? Is avoiding the traffic important to you? Then let me tell you about our newest class at Health Directions - Express Fitness with Tanailyn. This 30-minute interval style workout gets your heart pumping and your muscles working. Tanailyn brings the energy, variety and the fun. Before you know it, you are ready to move on with your day with sweat on your brow and a smile on your face.