Seniors’ fitness classes rock at Braeside Community Centre with two amazing fitness instructors
Story and photo by Irena Karshenbaum
After a much-needed summer break, seniors’ fitness classes are back on at the Braeside Community Centre.
We’d like to introduce you to Amy Boak and Janice Hay, the two amazing women who teach the classes.
Janice and Amy recently shared their stories of what inspires them to do their important work.
Janice, 55, tells the story of how she looked up to her parents. She recalls, “My mom was a backpacker in the early 1970s when women did not backpack. Their friends inspired me because they were very active seniors. There was one elderly lady in her 90s and she would host yoga in her beach house at the lake. Another friend in his 90s would downhill ski every day, 7 days a week! When I would ask him about his age, he’d say age is just a number.”
She continues telling the story of how her father was a WWII veteran and how, despite having multiple health issues, “He’d never use that as an excuse to keep from being active. When he was 80, he had an oxygen tank and climbed to the top of a mountain, from a gondola.” Janice remembers how her father would say if he can do it with an oxygen tank, then anyone can do it.
Amy, 57, started her life-long passion for fitness when she was just 12 years old. She remembers how she used to drive her sister crazy doing hundreds of sit-ups before going to bed. “I was always passionate about staying active. It grew into marathons. I’ve done 7 marathons and numerous triathlons, 10K races, long mountain hikes.”
She continues explaining how a person can transform their body with resistance. “You don’t have to have lack of muscle tone. I’ve seen people in their 70s who have beautiful muscle tone. I love to exercise. It energizes you, increases your metabolism, and happy hormones.”
Janice adds, “I never have anyone who comes here say to me they’ve regretted coming.”
Amy says laughing, “Exercise improves your quality of life. It makes every day activities easier to do.”
Join Janice and Amy for Seniors’ Fitness classes on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 am to 10:30 am at the Braeside Community Centre 11024 Braeside Drive SW. Drop-in fee is $3.
Irena Karshenbaum is the Community Coordinator for the Braeside Community Association/Centre. She loves to tell Braeside stories. .
