YMCA Tyler
www.tylerymca.org
Phone: (903) 593-7327
As we begin to see this year quickly fly by, it gives us less time to actually start our New Year resolutions. Wanting to loose weight is the biggest New Year Resolution. What better way is there to loose weight than to do an exercise that you enjoy?
At the end of the Industrial Revolution, the social conditions became extremely unhealthy in London England. In response to this crisis the Young Men’s Christian Association opened on June 6, 1844. George Williams was 23 when he and a group of men organized Bible studies and prayer groups for men to substitute living life on the street. The idea of the YMCA quickly spread through out Great Britain. In 1851 the first YMCA came to Montreal. The YMCA crossed lines in the separation of social classes. George Williams was knighted by Queen Victoria, and was buried under St. Paul’s Cathedral among other national heroes. The YMCA has been around through the hardest times throughout the world. Many leaders of the YMCA were awarded for the great changes that they have made in the community.
The YMCA has been a big part of the growth of our nation. During the Civil War most of the members were at war, so the YMCA started a program that housed soldiers and delivered food and Bibles to the soldiers. During World War I, John Mott, a YMCA leader and Nobel Peace Prize winner, involved the Y in running military canteens. The Y led fundraising campaigns and also took on war relief for both refugees and prisoners. During the Great Depression the YMCA opened its doors for the poor and many of its volunteers and leaders housed, fed and clothed the poor. During World War II the YMCAs around the world along with the National Council of the YMCA began to assist prisoners and soldiers in 36 nations around the world.
Most of the history of the sports world came from the YMCA. Volleyball was invented at Holyoke YMCA in 1895. Racquetball was invented in 1950 at the YMCA Greenwich. Softball was given its name by Walter Hakanson of the Denver YMCA in 1926; prier to this softball was called sissy ball or kitten ball. Even professional football began at the YMCA. At the International YMCA Training School the president asked James Naismith to invent a new sport because he felt that football was to physical and dangerous. Naismith came up with the sport basketball. It only had thirteen rules one of which was “no contact allowed”.
Today the YMCA has classes to help people of all ages get into shape. They offer workout rooms and trainers to help you loose the most in each session. Water aerobics and swimming classes are offered for ages 3 months and older. The YMCA also offers Zumba classes. What is Zumba? It is a workout/dance class that will help you shed off pounds and you will leave feeling sexy, energetic and you will have had a fun time.
It is great to have a place for your children to be involved in sports, and to allow your children to meet new friends. They will have a great time and will learn the values of life through having a strong body and mind. They will learn a healthy way of life through the many different sports and opportunities that your children may not have else-where.
In Tyler the YMCA my need some help. One time I was standing in the gym watching a basketball game when a tile fell from the ceiling and landed two feet from me as the loud bang echoed through the building. The pool may need a little extra chlorine and the floor may need some sort stain remover, and the bathrooms need to be cleaned a few more times; but the price of a membership is cheap and they have great classes. You can find what is best for you and the YMCA helps