PAC Seniors

IMPROVING BALANCE AND BECOMING CONFIDENT!

Balance training improves the health, balance, and performance of everyone from beginners to advanced athletes, young and not-so-young. However, this type of exercise is particularly important for older adults. As we get older, it’s common for our balance to worsen, which means life becomes more challenging (and not to mention more dangerous)! Many things contribute to diminished balance, such as inactivity, impaired vision, and weakened bones. Balance-focused exercises help improve coordination and stability and foster an increased sense of resilience and control in senior participants.

Three senior Pelican Athletic Club members have gained confidence in the PAC Balance class. Learn a little about their experience with the class below.

Eighty-twoyear-old Dick Hastings says he was not an athlete growing up. Instead, he ran and then walked the Crescent City Classic for many years as a way to do something special with his family. Dick has been retired for 27 years and a widower for six years and is very thankful to live right across the street from his daughter and her family. In June 2022, he had a bicycle accident that required four months of physical therapy, which he did at PAC with Scott McWilliams, M.P.T. Since November 2022, Dick has been attending Balance class every Monday and Thursday and has only missed one class. Dick schedules his Balance classes every week because they are such a priority in his life. His hard work and consistency enabled him to stand up from the floor unassisted, a physical challenge he could not do for a long time. He says PAC’s Balance classes have given him so much confidence. Marie says, “I was glad I had been attending Balance class the day I walked across the parking lot at Home Goods while looking at my phone. I stumbled on the speed bump, but instead of falling, I planted one foot on the ground and tightened my thigh. We practice standing on one foot in Balance class. Thank you, Jenny and Anna!” illness, she is just as surprised by how quickly she has regained it through focus and hard work. PAC’s Balance classes have helped Sophie move more mindfully while completing all her physical and household tasks. As a result, she has more energy during the day, can accomplish more, and wants to stay active.

Sophie says that one of the most important benefits of improving her physical health is how it has positively impacted her closest relationships. In addition, Sophie says Balance class has given her confidence to handle whatever life sends her way.

When Sophie was younger, she had great balance. However, she says her balance has declined, especially after age 65. She notes that, although she was shocked at how quickly her balance weakened after a serious

Balance class is held every Monday and Thursday at 10:50 am in the Mind Body Studio.