Want to keep fit over winter? Try ‘exercise snacking’

by | Jul 28, 2026 | Information | 0 comments

Woman climbing stairs on a sunny day in a park

Enjoy short outings with some stair walking

 

I often tell my tai chi students that the best way to learn new steps or movements is to practice them often and regularly.

This doesn’t mean lengthy and laborious sessions. “Bite-sized” chunks are the way to go. Just five minutes per day is better than one long session once per week.

It’s the same with other exercise. “Snacking” on fitness is better than trying to do a marathon. This is especially relevant in winter, when the cold and wet days can tempt us to hibernate.

‘Exercise snacking’ can help us to more-easily keep fit and healthy over winter.

What does it involve? Just a 30-second and up to 5-minute burst of movement several times per day and prioritising these so that they become part of your daily routine.

 

For example:

  • If you’ve been sitting for 20 – 30 minutes, get up for a stretch, get a drink of water, or walk around your house or workplace for five minutes.
  • Instead of taking the nearest parking spot to the front door of a supermarket, library, café, or education class, etc, try parking further away in the car park. This means you will walk a little further each time you visit.
  • Walk up one flight of stairs, instead of taking the lift.
  • Stand or move around while on a phone call or waiting to brew a cup of tea or coffee.
  • Buddy up with a friend or a member of your whānau, to learn new forms of exercise or to take longer walks or cycle rides.
  • Find an exercise you actually like doing, which also involves learning new steps, such as dancing or tai chi. Spend five minutes 2 – 3 times per day to practice the movements.
  • Focus on moving your body rather than aiming for perfection. Just move!!
Group of people on ebikes on a sunny day by the sea with the Auckland Harbour Bridge in the background

Buddy up with friends for short cycle rides or walks

There are many health benefits with ‘exercise snacking’. Check out these articles for more info:

Free tai chi at Manurewa Library, Sat 25 July 2026

by | Jul 15, 2026 | Information | 0 comments

Free tai chi and qigong (chee-gong) on the afternoon of Saturday 25 July 2026. Fun, family-friendly and ideal for beginners. Anyone can attend, whether you live in Manurewa or not.

When: Saturday 25 July, 1:45 – 2:30pm.

Where: Community Room, in the Manurewa Library, 7 Hill Road, Manurewa, Auckland 2102. Refer to map

Price: FREE

Age restriction: Open to all ages, but tamariki (children) under 13 need to be accompanied by an adult.

RSVP: Not required, just come along

Close to public transport: Manurewa Library is a 1-minute walk from the Gt South Road (a main transport route) and a 5 – 10 minute walk from the Manurewa Train Station and bus inter-change. That inter-change is a major South Auckland public transport hub, which is located off Station Road and next to the SouthMall Shopping Centre

Free parking: There’s plenty of free parking (for two hours) at the back of the library (entrance from Hill Road). Plus there is a 1-hour car park in front of the main library entrance (off Newhook Lane)

What to wear: Warm, comfortable clothes that you can move in. Please wear flat-soled shoes like sneakers and trainers.  Please also bring a filled water bottle.

Who is the instructor?

Jocelyn Watkin is a Manurewa local and the founder of Kia Ora Tai Chi. She is a qualified and experienced instructor for tai chi, taiji and qigong. These ancient Chinese arts can help you to:

  • improve your health and well-being
  • reduce stress and anxiety
  • improve your balance and help to prevent falls
  • boost your immunity
  • get fitter without puffing, and
  • live stronger for longer.

She has visited China three times, which included training at the sacred Wudangshan (Wudang Mountain), which is the tūrangawaewae of tai chi and qigong. (Tūrangawaewae is a Te Reo Māori word meaning spiritual home or a place to stand where you feel especially connected).

Jocelyn is donating her time so you can attend this session at the Manurewa Library for free.

Testimonial from a participant in the 2026 summer tai chi sessions in Cornwall Park: “Thank you so much. We’ve so enjoyed the classes. You’re an incredibly inclusive, encouraging and knowledgeable teacher. We already feel the benefits in terms of flexibility, balance and calm.”

Find out more about Jocelyn: https://www.kiaorataichi.nz/about-us/

If you’d like to have a kōrero (chat) about these sessions, please text or phone Jocelyn on 027 493 9851 or use the Contact Form on the Kia Ora Tai Chi website.