What’s your excuse?

Gladys Mabey

Getting yourself to exercise isn’t easy; we all know that. Some of us who use the Fitness Center want to share with you why we go and what we get out of it. I volunteered to start the ball rolling this month. There are so many choices and I have availed myself of many. This month, though, I am going to talk about Yoga. It isn’t a woo-woo mystical thing—it isn’t just for the girls—it is both great for relaxation and stretching as well as a good, yes you can break a sweat doing it, workout. P.C. Fitness Center has all levels. I really wish I had started doing yoga 30 years ago but it is never too late.

Jerry’s Saturday morning class is for relaxation and mediation. By the end of class, I have felt so relaxed I didn’t want to get up! I have really tight hamstrings, back and hips (lots of us do). I have found Yin Yoga extremely helpful for that. Christine guides everyone into just the right stretch where you feel a dull ache. That’s the magic spot for getting those ligaments to work on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Jerry’s classes on Monday and Wednesday use more poses that exercise your mind and body as do Bev’s classes on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. It’s called practice for a reason. You gain skill as you go. Even more importantly, you gain strength, balance and flexibility which are essential for all of us as we age. Who doesn’t want to stay as agile as possible? I don’t want to fall and not be able to get up!

Don’t be self-conscious! In all of them, the participants are busy concentrating on what they are doing and not paying attention to each other so don’t worry about judging. Jerry always says you don’t know if the person next to you was just in the circus last week so don’t worry about what they can do. We are all there to encourage each other. We refer to each other as fitness buddies and when you aren’t at class you are missed. If you try Yoga for just two or three weeks a couple of times a week, I promise you will feel a difference. You don’t need anything but yourself and comfortable clothing. Bring a mat if you have one or use one from the center. Stop by the Fitness Studio building at Tuscany for a schedule, check on-line or call the Fitness Center. You can even purchase a punch card good for any classes to save money.

Come on—join us! You’ll thank yourself later. No more excuses.