Happy leap year, NoVA!
No matter how you want to spend your weekend (we won’t blame you if it means sleeping the day away), here a handful of ways to get moving and maintain your health during the last weekend of February.
DC Mania: Fitness Pro Convention
Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 1, times vary
Give yourself the opportunity to get fit, educated and inspired at DC Mania, a convention with up to 17 sessions an hour and over 70 presenters, teaching and showcasing some of the most popular exercises across the country. Attendees can find courses on group fitness, personal training, HIIT/boot camp, yoga and Pilates, cycling and rowing and much more. At this year’s regional convention, try your hand at a Pound class (where participants get a full-body workout by following rhythms with drumsticks), Hot Booty Ballet or Stairmaster HIIT. There’s so much to learn, you might just want to spend the entire weekend soaking up all of the knowledge you can. // Hyatt Regency Dulles: 2300 Dulles Convention Center, Herndon; $99-$259
Black Health Fair & Relationship Seminar
Friday, Feb. 28, 4-8 p.m.
The Virginia Black History Association, in partnership with Strengthening Men’s Health Incorporated and Bequissence Consulting LLC, is hosting its first health seminar, two days prior to the 20th annual Virginia Black History Month Gala. Focusing on health issues that affect African American men at higher risks, such as diabetes and heart disease, the seminar will combine forces that will provide potentially life-saving information and screenings to community members. // Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel: 5000 Seminary Road, Alexandria; free
Sound Healing Relaxation
Friday, Feb. 28, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
You spend your life surrounded by noise. Traffic sounds on your way to work. Headphones in while you’re exercising. Talking, television and more. Find your silence and your serenity at this sound healing relaxation class. You’ll be exposed to the sounds of singing crystal bowls, which will help you forget the cacophony that surrounds your everyday life, and get you back to that relaxed state of mind you’re looking for. Other benefits include help with anxiety and depression, pain reduction, sleep assistance, energy balance and more. // YogaToka: 3260 Duke St., Alexandria; $20
Free Tai Chi Class at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine
Saturday, Feb. 29, 8-9 a.m.
Learn to meditate in motion with this mind-body practice at Virginia University of Integrative Medicine and you might just bring the slow yet soothing exercise into your everyday life. If you’ve been curious about tai chi and how it can help maintain strength, flexibility and balance, now is your chance to try it locally—and for free! Instructor Matthew Stampe has been teaching for over 25 years and will guide you through the practice you’ve been looking for. // Virginia University if Integrative Medicine: 9401 Mathy Drive, Room 200, Fairfax; free
Saturday Beer Run at Lake Anne Brew House
Saturday, Feb. 29, 9:45-10:45 a.m.
Your extra day only comes every four years, so why not burn some calories and treat yourself with a cold pint from Lake Anne Brew House? Laps of brisk walking, jogging or running on the bonus day of the year will take place around Lake Anne, and all attendees will receive a bonus 5-ounce cup with the purchase of a pint or flight. There’s no time minimum or maximum, but make the most of those 24 hours and get in some exercise, then kick back and enjoy the weekend at the bar with pretzels and beer. // Lake Anne Brew House: 11401 N. Shore Drive, Reston; free
Leap Day 5K
Saturday, Feb. 29, 10 a.m.-noon
Old Ox Brewing is ready to help you celebrate your extra day of the year. Get your bib and time chip and be off to the races as an individual or a team, and once you cross the finish line, you’ll go home with a medal. Once you’ve finished the race, stick around at the Middleburg brewery for brunch and beer, and enjoy those extra 24 hours with a post-workout glow. // Old Ox Brewery Middleburg: 14 S. Madison St., Middleburg; $35 (for $42-$45, brunch package are available)
Yoga for Beginners
Saturday, Feb. 29, 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Just like tai chi, you’ve probably wondered what yoga could offer you. Another form of meditation in motion, as well as a way to build strength, balance and flexibility, yoga can bring a number of benefits into your life, or just your weekend. Join this free beginners class to learn how to move through the poses, focus on your breath and start to find your inner peace. If you’ve never tried it before, you might just find what you and your body have been missing. // Oakton Library: 10304 Lynnhaven Place, Oakton; free
Self-care Saturday
Saturday, Feb. 29, noon-4 p.m.
Have you decided how you’re going to spend your extra day this year? You could make yourself a cup of tea, soak in a much-needed hot bath, or take that yoga class you’ve been meaning to put on your calendar. After you’ve done all of those things, you should use some of those extra 24 hours to take care of yourself at Samskara Yoga & Healing. Vendors and community members will gather to offer helpful tips, soothing products and more for your self-care Saturday. You could leave with a bag full of goodies and ready to relax for the rest of the year. // Samskara Yoga & Healing: 22000 Dulles Retail Plaza, Unit 102, Sterling; free
Free Intro to Reiki – Stafford Virginia
Sunday, March 1, 4-5:30 p.m.
You might have caught wind of energy healing before, or heard a friend or family member discuss its oddity. Can you really move energy with your hands and mind? Well, it’s up to you to find out. Reiki is the study and practice of cultivating positive energy into the mind and body, on yourself and others. Visit this free workshop to get the details on the practice and end with an hour-long session so you can potentially feel the healing effects you’ve been wondering about. Plus, there are several dates in the future so you can continue to come back and journey further into the world of reiki and energy healing, if you decide to. // Stafford House of Yoga: 971 Garrisonville Road, Stafford Courthouse; free
Burke Lake 12K
Sunday, March 1, 9 a.m.-noon
Those extra-day 5Ks aren’t for everyone; we hear you. If you’re looking for an extra challenge this weekend, sign up for the Burke Lake 12K instead. Not only will you get your heart rate up for an extended weekend workout, you’ll kick off the third month of the year with a strong mileage and get picturesque lake views while you do it. Keep those running New Year’s resolutions alive or just kick your butt back into gear after the leap day and you’ll be ready to take on the week ahead. // Burke Lake Park: 7315 Ox Road, Springfield; $10 (free for members of DC Road Runners)
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