Having the strength, the balance, and mobility to do something, not only safely, but well, has huge ramifications for our ‘living’ experience.  The physical restrictions of our bodies can burden us.  We make our efforts smaller, maybe judge our world as harder, and reinforce our own thoughts about ourselves as incapable or ‘no longer able’.  On the flipside of this we can aim at something different, something more.  With the right intention, right action we can (albeit carefully to start with) put a leg forward and step into growing energy and vitality for ourselves.  Exercise is the key.

Specially planned and monitored activities are all about us, and they serve to unite us in our endeavour to bring us into connection with our bodies and our peers.  Actively choosing to ‘turn up’ to a class is ‘turning up’ for yourself, turning up in your desire to make a difference to your body and subsequent life experiences.  And it’s a lot of fun too.

The ‘Use it or Lose it’ class is one of these classes that promotes strengthening the body.  Class instructor Bett takes her class through a series of fun and interesting exercises set to music, all designed to improve strength, balance, and mobility for older adults.

‘Use it or Lose it’ class in (muscle strengthening) action.

“It is with the greatest of ‘rewarding pleasure’ that I have seen this awesome group of men and women improve their coordination, balance, and strength under my tuition.  People blossom through exercise not only physically but socially, making new friends is important as well as we age.  I love teaching the USE IT OR LOSE IT CLASS, it is the highlight  of my week” says Bett.

This is what Bett’s regular participants have to say;

“I’ve been coming for about 6 months and feeling better every time I finish the class. It’s good for all parts of the body; joints and muscles.  And for us older people, it’s an excellent gathering, a friendly get together” - Colleen.

“I love it here, I love the music, I love Bett, and I like the way she makes us work all parts of our body”  - Linda.

“The advantage of this class, it’s great for maintaining my balance.  That and stretching exercises for old fella’s are pretty good” – Kelvin.

“Betts class is fun and inspirational”  – Wendy.

The Use it or Lose it class meets every Thursday, 11.15am at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kensington.  Newcomers and beginners are welcome, enquire with class instructor Bett (ph 021 208 6719) about making a start today!

The ‘Use it or Lose it’ class is registered under ‘Live stronger for Longer’ a network of certified appropriate classes for Strength and Balance, Falls prevention in Northland.  For more information about classes in your area see the Live Stronger for Longer Website, or Sport Northland website here.