LEWISTON – Central Maine Medical Center’s Health and Wellness Services is offering the following programs beginning on Monday, Jan. 8:

Back Breakers: Learn to increase core strengths, prevent injury, improve the strength of abdominal and low back muscles and trim a couple of inches from the mid-section. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from noon to 12:30 p.m.

Ballroom Dancing: The four-part series introduces participants to the basic steps for the waltz and swing. Partners are required. Fridays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Beginners’ Belly Dancing: A cardiovascular exercise class led by Lisa Cummings, a.k.a. Imari, who has more than 13 years of experience. No prior belly dance experience is required. Six-week program is suitable for all ages and body types. Mondays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Fit-n-Fun: The exercise class is designed for the over-55 crowd and focuses on helping participants improve aerobic capacity, strength, flexibility, balance and coordination. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

“Happy Hearts”: A class designed for people with a “cardiac event” history, including angioplasty, stents, heart attack, cardiac arrest, valve surgery, coronary artery bypass, stable angina and transplants, who have completed a cardiac rehabilitation program and are looking for a maintenance program.

The class includes general supervision and individual, independent cardiovascular and strength training. It also incorporates group weight training and self-safety skills. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Hip Hop: Participants will learn how to use basic hip-hop movement to get in shape and keep off extra winter weight. Up rocking, pop locking, boogaloo, West Coast step, and maybe a break move or two will be the “moves” featured in the class. Participants should bring clean sneakers that have not been worn outside. Knee pads for floor work are optional. Thursdays from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m.

Hypnosis for Weight Loss: Four-part program will explore the importance of exercise, provide tips to improve diet, including food portions and servings for a weight loss program, benefits of fiber, stress reduction, understanding food labels, reducing fat intake, tips on eating out and at special occasions and handling cravings. Jan. 17, 24, 31, and Feb. 7 at 6:30 p.m.

Intermediate Tai Chi: Tai chi is an ancient Chinese movement art that uses a sequence of precise body movements, meditation and synchronized breathing to improve health and well-being. Balance and harmony are stressed through physical activities that can improve stamina, muscle tone, agility, flexibility and cardiovascular function. For individuals with some tai chi experience. Tuesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

People with Arthritis Can Exercise: The program is specifically designed for people with arthritis, myofascial pain and fibromyalgia.Participants work in a low-key fashion to increase flexibility, range of motion and balance. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Personal Fitness: Begins with a one-on-one evaluation and program development session with a personal health counselor, then progresses to a structured group exercise plan. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 to 9 a.m., 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

Pilates: A blend of Eastern and Western techniques teaches practitioners about breathing with movement, balance, coordination, body positioning, strength and flexibility. Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Preparing for Your Surgery: Participants will learn to use hypnosis to decrease stress prior to surgery, decrease blood loss, decrease pain, nausea and vomiting, as well as hasten healing after surgery. Jan. 10 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Qigong: An ancient Chinese exercise that uses breathwork, body movement and mental training to develop natural energy. Qigong includes a variety of practices, including simple movements, breathing techniques, visualization and meditation, that result in health benefits such as flexibility, strength, vigor and stamina, better posture and relaxation. Tuesdays from 6:45 to 7:45 p.m.

Quit for Life: Participants learn time-tested coping strategies and learn about exercise, nutrition, overcoming addiction, preventing relapse and managing stress. To address the addictive nature of nicotine, the program includes an explanation on the benefits of nicotine replacement, how it is used and what the side effects might be. The group setting provides a supportive forum. Jan. 17, 24 and 31 (Quit Day), and Feb. 7 and 14 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.

Step Aerobics: A heart-pumping, muscle-moving and grooving workout. Alternates step with muscle work using weights, tubing. It is a cardio workout and head-to-toe body strengthener. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.

Step To It: A combination of aerobics and conditioning designed to improve endurance and cardiovascular fitness, all while working on core strength. Saturdays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Total Body Strengthening: A functional strength training class designed to improve coordination and overall muscle tone. Wednesdays from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m.

Yoga: Participants will be introduced to the world of relaxation and rejuvenation through yoga. Skills learned through the six-week series will include centering and balancing through poses, breathing exercise, meditation and relaxation. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4 to 5:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Zumba: The six-week program combines a fusion of Latin and international music with a dance theme to create a dynamic fitness system. It employs principles of aerobic/fitness interval training and resistance training to maximize caloric output, fat burning and total body toning. Mondays from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m. or Wednesdays from 10 to 11 a.m.

All programs are offered in the CMMC Health and Wellness Center, 12 High Street Medical Office Building. Fees are assessed for participation in the programs.

Call 795-2473 to register or to obtain more information. Information also available through the events calendar at www.cmmc.org.