Seniors, are you ready to exercise?

The Fit and Fall Proof exercise class for seniors has been going strong all summer.

Now, beginning the week of Sept. 18, the class will resume its three-times-a-week schedule. The class is held at the VFW Hall located at the Senior Hospitality Center. The hour-long class will be held on Mondays and Wednesdays at 10:45 a.m. and Fridays at 9:30 a.m.

The class is part of a state-supported program taught by trained volunteers in a variety of locations throughout the five northern counties in Idaho’s Panhandle. The Fit and Fall Proof is a free exercise program that targets for older adults or anyone who has a history of falling or a fear of falling.

The class takes participants 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 a background in Classical Stretch and extensive experience working with senior citizens.

The pair can adapt the class to participants' current ability. Based on their knowledge of movement and proper use of self, they will be addressing functional topics such as posture improvement, coming up from sitting to standing, reaching for 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, balls and other “toys” the sessions are fun and engaging.

"Do we stop playing because we get older or do we get older because we stop playing," Meeker said. "Come and play with us." To sign up, call Karen Meeker, 208-946-6008, Cynthia Knittel, 208-267-2695 or the Senior Hospitality Center, 208-267-5554.