Island Senior: Virtual classes offer a variety of options

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When the nutritionist at Peace Health asked me what sort of physical exercise I would be willing to commit to, I declared boldly that I would do yoga three times a week. I had just dug up my old yoga program that with enough adaptations I could still manage to almost do.

What has helped me the most in keeping this commitment, however, are the chair yoga classes taught by Katrina Wen through the Mullis Center. It provides a fun way to activate energy while mobilizing the spine and major joints. It includes stretches of the back and legs, both important in slowing down the aging process.

The special care we gave to our knees in last week’s class made me feel like the class had been created just for me. I’m sure though that I am not the only senior on San Juan Island whose knees could use some extra love.

Besides weekly live Zoom classes we are now able to get a video recording of the class to use as many times as we want to throughout that week. This is great if you want to use the class more than once and at times that work best for you.

Fitness classes through the Mullis Center also include a balance and stretch class that provides a gentle way for people to train their ability to balance by toning and reconditioning various muscle groups (legs, glutes, lower back). Navigating our balance provides a realistic way to strengthen our core; therefore it also aids our digestive health when it is done regularly. Balance is highly valued as a means of fall prevention.

Both Mullis Center classes are available live via Zoom — chair yoga at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and balance and stretch at 9:30 a.m. on Thursdays. There is a suggested fee of $6 per class. The Mullis Center is committed to making these classes available, so if cost is prohibitive a sliding scale is available. To sign up for classes, arrange to receive weekly access to the recorded classes or to learn more regarding the sliding scale, contact Anna at the Mullis Center at 360-370-7520 or [email protected].

As an additional resource for San Juan Island seniors and seniors belonging to the Mullis Center, Bellingham Senior Activity Center offers a variety of virtual programs. Please call BSAC at 360-733-4030 for more info on these classes:

• Monday 1 p.m. – Strength and training for balance
• Tuesday at 11 a.m. – Longevity stick
• Wednesday at 9 a.m. – Spanish conversation
• Wednesday at 1 p.m. – Strength training for balance
• First and third Wednesdays at 1:30 p.m. – Brain power
• Thursday at 11 a.m. – Longevity stick
• Fourth Friday (second Friday in Person) at BSAC 1 p.m. – TED Talk Discussion

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