HEALING BODIES, MINDS SCENERY, CLASSES HELP RESIDENTS GET FIT.

Byline: - Lisa Van Proyen

Whether it's a moonlit hike in 4,107-acre Griffith Park - complete with a show of glowworms - or a self-help class to reduce stress, health and fitness programs for all ages are plentiful in the San Fernando Valley.

Some people might opt instead for fishing at Lake Balboa Park or viewing the 6 1/2-acre Japanese Garden in Van Nuys. There are skate parks, dog parks and even fields for cricket - the game - scattered throughout the Valley - and, of course, scores of fitness centers.

The fitness centers throughout the area offer both routine workouts and more specific training.

At 360 Health Club in Reseda, workers are making it a priority this year to tackle childhood obesity with programs designed for educators, students and their families.

The health club is contacting area schools to offer solutions for increasing activity, improving nutrition and enhancing overall wellness. The club offers lectures and family-fun nights, and nutrition experts provide complimentary information.

The following is a list of local health-related events and services:

ADD/ADHD support group, 7:15-9 p.m. the third Wednesday of every month (free) at the Ashley Children's Psychology Center. Call to reserve a spot. 9036 Reseda Blvd., Suite 204, Northridge. [phone]. www.ashleypsychology.com.

The Agoura Hills Department of Community Services offers Pilates exercise, 5:30 p.m. Mondays ($8); yoga, 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays ($7); and cardio kick-boxing, 7:15 a.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays ($8) at the Agoura Hills Recreation Center, 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Agoura Hills. All fitness and experience levels welcome. [phone].

AIDS Project Los Angeles offers free support services, including food banks and nutrition education, a dental clinic, case management, mental health counseling, home health care and counseling on benefits and workplace re-entry. [phone].

Alliance on Mental Illness offers free support groups for families and friends of people suffering from mental illness at various times at Northridge Hospital, San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center and West Valley Christian School. For information on meetings and times, call [phone].

American Cancer Society offers free services for women undergoing breast cancer treatment, including transportation, support and ``Look Good ... Feel Better'' sessions. For information, call (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

American University of Complementary Medicine offers tai chi, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Mondays, and qi gong, 1 to 3 p.m. Mondays at 11543 Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. Both courses are $300. [phone], Ext. 201.

California State University, Northridge, Language, Speech and Hearing Center offers low-cost speech and hearing evaluations, hearing aid dispensing, stuttering therapy and speech therapy for seniors, adults and children. [phone].

Cancer Information Service provides information on the latest treatments, clinical trials, early detection, risk reduction and community services. [phone].

The Center for the Partially Sighted offers a free vision evaluation for people with macular degeneration, diabetes or glaucoma, to determine the benefits of vision rehabilitation services. [phone].

Comedy Camp Workshops offer games and improvisation exercises to help shake loose resistance, old beliefs and negative programming, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. 4900 Serrania Ave., Woodland Hills. [phone]. www.capers4u.com.

Del Carmen Medical Center offers breast-cancer screenings for low-income women 40 and over. Reseda. [phone].

Encino-Tarzana Medical Center offers gestational diabetes class on Thursdays (call for times); nutrition assessment, 9:30 p.m. Wednesdays at 18321 Clark St., Tarzana. Healthy living with diabetes and carb counting classes also offered. [phone].

Family Wellness Chiropractic Group offers free computerized nerve test, spinal exam and consultation at 7439 Reseda Blvd., Reseda. [phone].

The Foot Health Center of Northridge offers free foot examinations and answers questions regarding bunions, hammertoes, ingrown nails and diabetic foot care. San Fernando Valley: [phone]. Antelope Valley: [phone].

Glendale Adventist Medical Center offers a carcinoid cancer support group, 1 p.m. the third Saturday of every month in its Cancer Center Conference Room, 381 Merrill Drive, Glendale. [phone].

Hearing Loss Association of America - San Fernando Valley Chapter offers a support group, 10 to 11:30 a.m. the third Wednesday of every month (free) at More Than Waffles, 17200 Ventura Blvd., Encino; lip-reading class, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Mondays (free) at Jewish Home for the Aging, 18855 Victory Blvd., Reseda. [phone].

Hollywood Walks organized group walking program, 12:15 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays (free) at the Metro Red Line station on Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue. Registration recommended. [phone].

Northridge Hospital - Roscoe Campus offers cancer support and healing group (in Spanish) 3:30 p.m. Fridays (free) at Leavey Cancer Center, [phone]; fibromyalgia support group, 7 p.m. the second Monday of every month in IFL Tower's penthouse, [phone]; spinal cord injury support group, 3 p.m. Thursdays (free), [phone], Ext. 3656; breast cancer support groups, 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at Leavey Cancer Center, [phone], Ext. 2833; Parkinson's disease support group, 3:30 p.m. the third Monday of every month (free), [phone]. 18300 Roscoe Blvd., Northridge.

Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center offers personal appearance rehabilitation services (free, by appointment); maternity tours and classes for expectant mothers and their families. Times vary (costs vary but maternity tours are free) at 501 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank. [phone].

Sherman Oaks Hospital offers free memory screenings, 1 to 3 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month at the S+Age Center, 5000 Van Nuys Blvd, Suite 110, Sherman Oaks. [phone].

Tai Chi Chuan Club Encino, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Free introduction for first-timers. Balboa Park, 17015 Burbank Blvd., Encino. [phone].

Tai Chi classes, 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesdays through March 21 ($15 per class, $130 for all 10 sessions) at the Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Dr., La Canada Flintridge. [phone]. www.descansogardens.org.

The Tesla Walkers, 9 a.m. Saturdays and Sundays ($1 donation) at Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Canada Flintridge. [phone].

- Daily News

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The following is a list of local health-related events and services: (see text)