“I shared it once with my TOPS* group and they begged for more.” P.D. had trained with Chair Masters years ago as a volunteer in a retirement community, but her useful knowledge came in handy again and now she has a new regular group with her *Take Off Pounds Sensibly club. We’re looking forward to hearing more about how it’s going with enthusiastic new niche.

This is not a comment from a gym rat, nor from someone who’s anti gym. It’s from a 93 year old client who has just worked up to 10 reps with a 2-pound hand weight. Ten going on a hundred. A retired charge nurse, she knows how important exercise is to her continued health. She’s committed to improving her posture for more efficient and comfortable walking. She has had back surgery and hip surgery, and totes oxygen on her walker. The facility where she lives only offers exercise groups 2 days a week and she hired me to come in and exercise with her on the alternate days. After telling me today about a friend ( a former collague) who was back at home right after a hip replacement, she mused, “Life is a fitness test.”
That’s Martha Schneidmiller”s wisdom.

“Dear Janet, I must tell you just how much I am enjoying the Chair Masters DVD. I’m using it alone in my room almost daily. I place a chair in front of my TV, open the sliding glass door for fresh air, and away I go, keeping up with the class and your instructions. It’s wonderful. I always do the warm-up, but when my energy level is good, I also do the strength and flexibility section. The book was good, but right now, at this time in my life, the DVD is just perfect – and I’m so comfortable using it. – Bernice Homan

The fall season of classes at Tamarack Wellness Center has started. We have 2 classes in the yoga schedule that use Chair Master exercises as the starting point for yoga seated in the chair or using a chair as a prop. Both are called Senior Stretch, one is advanced.

Yesterday, I was talking with Bernice Homan, one of the original peer leaders using Chair Masters pages to lead a class years ago. She is a model in the Chair Masters book and a member of the studio class in the DVD. Obviously, she’s a person committed to exercise for many years. She said, “You know, I’m at the stage in my life now where I really need the DVD to exercise in my apartment.”  I responded, “What a wonderful investment you’ve made in helping to create this material. And now it’s available for you to use.” There are more types of investments than just financial.

Of course, exercise, even simple movements, is a good investment in its own right. And for an active, independent 90-something, how wonderful that the right tools are now available.

The Chair Master material will be shared at the Pioneer Network Conference in Washington, DC, August 19 – 22 2008. A Call to Action to change the culture of long term care.

Please visit Pioneer Network