Free Fitness and Music Classes Offered

Locals give back to the community in a number of ways: by giving time to an organization, donating money to a local cause, or giving clothes and food items to local shelters. Brandon Bui chooses to give back by offering free classes in music instruction and weight-lifting in Loma Linda. Bui has a background in music from the University of California Riverside and holds advanced degrees from Loma Linda University. During the week Bui works at Kaiser Permanente, but on weekend mornings acts as an instructor and advocate for fitness and music. Bui says, “I noticed with our economy that both parents have to work full-time and for me and my wife, music and exercise is how we cope with stress on a daily basis.” Recently, at an industrial building in Loma Linda, Bui began teaching a free weight-lifting class for members of the community who don’t have the money to spend on a gym or personal trainer. Bui aims to educate and he wishes to teach those who come to his sessions how to be healthier and stronger. He shares, “We need to create healthy habits. We need to exercise for life." He goes on to say, "We eat and sleep for life and we need to exercise for life as well.” The exercise class includes two sessions on Sunday mornings and each session is an hour and half long. The first 30 minutes is a lecture based on the benefit of exercise. The next 30 minutes is instruction teaching participants how to do the exercises correctly and the last 30 minutes is a wrap up with a question-and-answer session. The class is only open to 6 members at a time because of space, and thus far the feedback has been positive. Bui states, “Even if only one person shows up I will teach them." He goes on to say, "People who don’t have the money are glad to have the opportunity to learn fitness and basic exercises." One of Bui’s first loves in life is music and he is determined to share his passion with the community. He created music playrooms for meaningful integration, knowledge, and applied learning (MIKAL). The class is designed to give people the ability to take music lessons if they cannot afford to take private lessons or lack a space to practice in. Bui created the music curriculum for his music classes and invites children 5 years and up and their families to attend. Bui’s goal is to teach people how to read notes and wants to provide a foundation for further musical learning. Bui states, “I know that many people would like to learn to play music, but cannot do that because they live in an apartment or condo, where their neighbors may complain about the noise. So, I wish to offer the place with affordable rates for families to learn and practice music and grow as they wish.” [END] People choose to give back to the community in diverse ways, whether by giving time to an organization, donating money to a local cause, or giving clothes/food items to a local shelter. Brandon Bui chooses to give back by offering free classes in music instruction and weightlifting in Loma Linda. Bui has a background in music from University of California Riverside and holds advanced degrees from Loma Linda University. He lived in Loma Linda for 7 years and currently resides in Ontario. By weekday, Bui is employed at Kaiser Permanente and by weekend morning, becomes instructor and advocate for fitness and music. Bui says, “I noticed with our economy that both parents have to work full time and for me and my wife, music and exercise is how we cope with stress on a daily basis.” In January 2014, at an industrial building in Loma Linda, Bui began teaching a free Weightlifting Class: Benefits, Safety, and "How-To" to members of the community who don’t have the money to spend on a gym or personal trainer. He states, “We need to create healthy habits, we need to exercise for life, God created us to have an active life, not to sit at a desk all day. We eat and sleep for life and we need to exercise for life as well.” The exercise class includes two sessions on Sunday mornings and each session is an hour and half long. The first 30 minutes is a lecture format based on the benefit of exercise, the next 30 minutes is showing participants how to do the exercises and applying it, and the last 30 minutes is a wrap up with a Q & A. The class is only open to 6 members at a time because of space and thus far, the feedback has been positive. Bui states, “People come in randomly, if only one person shows up, I will teach them. People who go to the gym don’t know where to start or what to do, they end up watching other people and copy them, do it wrong and will end up hurting themselves and quitting. A personal trainer will push them too hard and too fast and they end up being in pain when they get home. People who don’t have the money are glad to have the opportunity to learn fitness and basic exercises. I also teach basic exercises where they don’t need fancy equipment.” The class is open to anyone over the age of 18 and has to be cleared by a doctor to do weightlifting. Bui aims to educate and teach participants who come to his sessions how to be healthier and stronger so these lessons can be applied in their daily life. He states, “People need to combine aerobics and weightlifting. The only way to burn calories is to do weightlifting and when you burn more muscle, it helps control body fat even while sitting down at a desk when weightlifting is done on a regular basis. Weightlifting strengthens bones as well.” The United States has a large growing older population and; diabetes, obesity, and osteoporosis can be serious health problems. Bui says people ideally need, “to work out 4 days a week, 2 days of aerobics, and 2 days of weight lifting to be healthy.” One of Bui’s first loves in life is music and he is passionate about sharing his love of music with the community. He created M.I.K.A.L Music Playroom’s which stands for, meaningful, integration, knowledge, and applied learning. The class is designed to give people the ability to take music lessons if they cannot afford to take private lessons or lack of space to practice in. He states, “With the current situation of our economy and issues with Obama Care, things are getting rough for many families, especially the kids. I know that many would like to learn and play/practice music, but cannot do that because they live in apartment or condo where their neighbors may complain of the noise. So, I wish to offer the place with affordable rates for families to learn and practice music and grow as they wish.” Bui hopes to encourage and help students have a positive musical experience. Sometimes the lessons and messages children receive can be negative and teachers say to them, “they’re not talented enough or just don’t have the musical ability or skills and I want to challenge that.” He encourages families to come and shares, “most parents always wanted to learn music but didn’t have the money and want their kids to be involved with music for extra curricula purposes or to improve academic performance.” There are positive values for families who are involved with music. Bui says, “When you practice or play together it creates a bonding experience and encourages them to keep up with music learning and practice because they learn by example. It helps all children stay with it longer and helps them achieve a lifelong leisure activity” Bui is working on creating music curriculum he will be covering in his music classes starting on April 6th. This class will be open to children 5 years and older, along with their families. Bui’s goal is to teach people how to read notes and wants to provide a foundation for music and goal is to teach them how to play any music on their own in the future. Bui shares, “we need to help the people of the community and I want more people to come so these classes will benefit more people”. For individuals interested in learning how to play a musical instrument or wanting to improve their health, Bui’s classes are ongoing every Sunday morning. To find out more information visit MIKAL Music Playrooms Facebook Page.