The Summit Area YMCA is turning its studios pink for a week of themed fitness classes honoring breast cancer fighters, survivors and their families.

The "Stronger Together in Pink" series runs Monday, Oct. 19, through Sunday, Oct. 25, at both the Summit YMCA and Berkeley Heights YMCA. Participants are encouraged to wear pink to class and pick up a free pink wristband at the welcome desk.

The schedule spans 12 classes across the two branches. Highlights include Slow Flow Yoga: The Warrior Within with instructor Sonya at 9:30 a.m. Oct. 19 in Berkeley Heights, a Raise the Barre for Breast Cancer Awareness class with Meme at 9:15 a.m. Oct. 21 in Summit, and a Zumba Party in Pink with Jocelyn at 9:15 a.m. Oct. 23 in Summit.

The week closes Oct. 25 with two Yoga: The Warrior Within sessions led by Lynne at 8:15 and 9:30 a.m. at the Summit branch. A Puppy in Pink puppy yoga session follows from noon to 1 p.m. at the Berkeley Heights YMCA.

The YMCA's blog post urged residents to reserve spots early.

The awareness week adds to the Summit Area YMCA's cancer-recovery programming, which includes LIVESTRONG at the YMCA. The organization announced earlier this fall that a $10,000 grant from the Atlantic Health Overlook Medical Center Community Advisory Board would support the free 12-week fitness program for adult cancer survivors. The YMCA has offered LIVESTRONG locally since 2011.

Anjali McCormick, president and CEO of the Summit Area YMCA, said in that announcement that the program helps survivors "regain strength, rebuild confidence, and be hopeful for a healthier life." The current LIVESTRONG session runs through Dec. 23 at the Summit branch and is open at no cost to participants 18 and older with physician clearance.

Stronger Together in Pink — full schedule

  • Monday, Oct. 19: Slow Flow Yoga: The Warrior Within with Sonya, 9:30 a.m., Berkeley Heights YMCA; Think Pink with Sonya, 10:10 a.m., Summit YMCA
  • Wednesday, Oct. 21: Raise the Barre with Meme, 9:15 a.m., Summit YMCA
  • Thursday, Oct. 22: Strictly Strength: Stronger in Pink with Meme, 9:15 a.m., Summit YMCA; Pinklates with Nerissa, 9:15 a.m., Summit YMCA; Pinklates & Barre with Nerissa, 10:35 a.m., Berkeley Heights YMCA
  • Friday, Oct. 23: Zumba Party in Pink with Jocelyn, 9:15 a.m., Summit YMCA; Party in Pink with Mengying, 10:30 a.m., Berkeley Heights YMCA
  • Saturday, Oct. 24: Party in Pink with Zulma, 9:15 a.m., Berkeley Heights YMCA
  • Sunday, Oct. 25: Yoga: The Warrior Within with Lynne, 8:15 and 9:30 a.m., Summit YMCA; Puppy in Pink (Puppy Yoga), noon–1 p.m., Berkeley Heights YMCA

Residents can learn more or register at theSAY.org. The LIVESTRONG program also accepts new participants at theSAY.org/livestrong.