Seniors…are you ready to exercise?

It’s a new year and time for the winter session of the the Fit and Fall Proof exercise class.

The Fit and Fall Proof course is part of a state-supported program taught by trained volunteers in a variety of locations throughout Idaho’s five northern counties. Class will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10:45 a.m. This free exercise program is targeted for older adults or anyone who has a history of falling or a fear of falling.

The class will take you safely through a process of improving strength, flexibility, mobility, balance and endurance. The instructors are Karen Meeker, a physical therapist and a movement specialist with a background in the Feldenkrais method and Cynthia Knittel, a physical therapy assistant with extensive experience working with senior citizens.

Meezer and Knittel work to adapt the class to participants’ abilities. Based on their knowledge of movement and the importance of attention in learning to move more easily, they also will address functional topics such as: posture improvement, coming up from sitting to standing, reaching for the floor, coming up from the floor, reaching into a cupboard, turning to look behind you in your car — all those activities that typically become more difficult with age.

During this process, participants will learn strategies to help ease pain and discomfort, prevent injury, increase energy, reduce stress and improve concentration. With the use of music and other “toys” the sessions are fun and engaging and are a great way to have some much needed social time!

The VFW will be complying with current COVID-19 protocols as required by the senior center and Panhandle Health District.

To sign up, call Karen Meeker, 208-267-2803, Cynthia Knittel, 208-267-2695 or the Senior Hospitality Center, 208-267-5554. The class will begin on Monday, Jan. 10 at 10:45 a.m. at the VFW Hall at the Senior Hospitality Center.