18 Healthy Things to Do In and Around Boston This Week

Kick off the holiday season by joining a running club, racing a charity 5K, or sweating off Thanksgiving dinner with dance-based workouts.


 

Runners in green and red shirts

Runners race during the Torch Run 5K. / Photo provided

Monday, Nov. 27

Island Vybe @ Black Market: Join Island Vybe Dance Fitness for the first class in an eight-week series. For a full hour, you’ll squat, run, and work your abs and arms—all while dancing Carnival-style.

$15, 7 p.m. Black Market, 2136 Washington St., Boston, eventbrite.com.

Tuesday, Nov. 28

Antibiotic Resistance: What Can We Do?: Join U.S. Public Interest Research Group for a panel discussion with Panera Bread, doctors, journalists, researchers, and nonprofits. The conversation will focus on antibiotic use and misuse in food and medicine.

Free, 5:30 p.m. Harvard Law School, 1585 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, eventbrite.com.

Wednesday, Nov. 29

Understanding Commercial Sex: A Global and U.S. Perspective: Whether you call it sex work or prostitution, commercial sex is largely illegal in America—and the public health community is divided. Join experts from across the country to hear about policy options, human rights, and firsthand experiences with the industry.

Free, 8:30 a.m. Boston University School of Public Health, 72 East Concord St., Boston, bu.edu.

Thursday, Nov. 31

Heartbreaker Recruiting Night: Join the Heartbreakers running club for a free, three-mile fun run, plus get information on the club and a complimentary beer. Start at the Heartbreak Hill Running Company in the South End and end the night at Harpoon Brewery.

Free, 6 p.m. Heartbreak Hill Running Company, 652 Tremont St., Boston, eventbrite.com.

Runners on a track

Heartbreakers Running Club members train in the South End. / Photo provided

HIIT the Dance Floor: Get your heart pumping during high-intensity interval training to live music by DJ Laura Ingalls. Start with HIIT, then shake it off with a Zumba dance party. Get 20 percent off of purchases at sponsor New Balance.

$5, 6:30 p.m. New Balance, 140 Guest St., Boston, movewith.com.

 Mental Health in the Black and Latinx Communities: Join Boston University chapters of the National Society of Black Engineers and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers for a discussion on mental health stigmas. Boston University behavioral health experts will stop by to speak.

Free, 7 p.m. Boston University Photonics Building, 8 St. Mary’s St., Boston, facebook.com.

Friday, Dec. 1

Kickin’ It With Santa Kickball Tournament: Trim down that bowl full of jelly in a fun, “no-pressure” tournament. After playing at least two games, board the Bustonian Party Bus and head to the Social Boston Sports Winter Players Party, where the best-dressed team and individual will win prizes.

$29+, noon Moakley Playground, 1005 Columbia Rd., Boston, socialbostonsports.com. 

Kickball team members wearing sweaters and holiday gear

Teams show holiday spirit for Kickin’ It with Santa. / Photo provided

Improving the Patient Experience: A Forum on Consumerism, Quality, and Cost Containment: Join Boston Young Healthcare Professionals at their third annual healthcare conference. Explore such topics as patient consumerism, technology and medicine, and health policy in sessions throughout the day.

$60+, 8:30 a.m. the Nonprofit Center of Boston, 89 South St., Boston, eventbrite.com.

TMIRCE’s 10th Birthday: The Most Informal Running Club Ever is turning 10 years old and kicking off a weekend-long celebration to boot. Start on Friday with a meet-and-greet party before a morning “bRUNch” on Saturday. Other events will be a formal party on Saturday evening and a Mimosa Mile bar crawl on Sunday.

$20+, kick-off 8 p.m. Lulu’s Allston, 421 Cambridge St., Boston, facebook.com.

Saturday, Dec. 2

The Brain, Body, and Mind Connection: Learn about neurological health and be part of a live studio taping of “The Brain-Body-Mind Connection” at WGBH. Dr. Deepak Chopra and Dr. Rudolph Tanzi will take questions from the audience.

Free, 3 p.m. WGBH, 1 Guest St., Boston, eventbrite.com.

Jolly Jaunt 5K: Don your holiday best and make your way to the Boston Common for the 13th annual Jolly Jaunt. Every runner and walker will be given bells to jingle all the way. Proceeds go toward the Special Olympics Massachusetts.

$35+, 8 a.m. Boston Common, Boston, specialolympicsma.org.

Runners dressed as gingerbread men

Runners dress up in holiday gear for Boston’s Jolly Jaunt. / Photo provided

Animal Flow Workshop: Learn the innovative fitness program and take steps to become a certified Animal Flow instructor. Over the course of two days, you’ll cover all six elements of the program, including the Traveling Forms, Switches and Transitions, and Form-Specific Stretches.

$495, 1:30 p.m. Equinox Dartmouth Street, 131 Dartmouth St., Boston, animalflow.com.

Sunday, Dec. 3

Brunch Fit Triple Threat: Cycling, barre, and yoga are all on the books at Brunch Fit’s first-ever 90-minute-long Triple Threat event. Work out with Exhale Battery Wharf, then head downstairs to enjoy brunch and a Michelob Ultra at Aragost.

$44, 11 a.m. Battery Wharf Hotel Boston Waterfront, 3 Battery Wharf, Boston, eventbrite.com.

Full Moon Gong Meditation with Mantra: O2 Yoga with instructors Emily Murphy Kaur and Harmeet Singh will lead a session based in reflection. The organizers hold that throughout India, the full moon is considered an auspicious time to reflect on the patterns of action. Begin with Surya Namaskara and end with a gong bath.

$18, 7 p.m. O2 Yoga, 1001 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, thebostoncalendar.com.

Peabody Holiday Torch Run: Oh, what fun it is to run! The festive 5K, organized by the Peabody Police Department and the Law Enforcement Torch Run program, will benefit the Special Olympics Massachusetts. A one-mile fun walk and Kid’s Dash will also be held, plus a food festival sponsored by local restaurants.

$35+, 9 a.m. Analogic Corporation, 8 Centennial Dr., Peabody, facebook.com.

A boy dressed as a king racing a police officer

A young runner races a police officer in the Torch Run. / Photo provided

Juicy Yoga: A Ladies’ Night Out: Instructor Nicole Clark invites you to “find the deliciousness in the movement” at this class. Connect to your body and spirit during the session, then stick around for snacks, refreshments, and mini spa treatments.

$35, 2 p.m. Asana Charlestown, 20 City Square, Cambridge, mindbodyonline.com.

Poses for Pit Bulls: Your downward dog can help real canines. Donations for participation in the 90-minute yoga class will benefit the MSPCA at Nevins Farm’s Pit Pals Program, which provides low-cost spaying and neutering services to pit bulls in need.

Suggested donation, 10 a.m. MSPCA at Nevins Farm, 400 Broadway, Methuen, mspca.org.

MFi Angel Run: Kick off the holiday season by racing a 5K—but feel free to walk or “fun run” it as well. Proceeds will benefit the Medfield Foundation, a nonprofit community organization that aims to help the town of Medfield.

$30, 11 a.m. Medfield High School, 88 South St., Medfield, medfieldfoundation.org.