Published September 25, 2024

DEBORAH POWELL

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE

BRISTOL – Bristol’s seniors have three weekly opportunities to work together on staying fit and healthy at the Jack Graham Community Centre, with a good number taking advantage.

Free bi-weekly exercise classes run Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 to 10 am. This program has been running for “easily 15 years”, according to Dorothy Cowley, who takes turns with Valerie Henderson leading the class over the last few years on a volunteer basis. “It’s through Val’s leadership that we have this program that leaves us all wiped at the end,” Cowley laughed.

Henderson originally received volunteer certification training through the VieActive program that promotes gentle exercise for those 50+. “But here we do our own thing, which includes cardio, weights and bands,” she said. Participants are reminded to respect their own limitations and not to overdo it, making the class a comfortable place for a wide range of abilities. No registration is required.

“I like to exercise and be with other people. It’s good incentive,” explained Cowley when asked why she leads the classes. Henderson’s motivation is similar: “I do it for my own well-being and everybody else’s,” she said.

Free yoga classes started September 11 and will run for 16 weeks. Instructor Peggy Hodgins-Macgregor offers gentle yoga for beginners and seniors or chair yoga for those with balance or mobility concerns. Registration was first opened to Bristol residents and then to others.

The municipality provides use of the hall for the activities and applied to the federal New Horizons for Seniors Program that provided funding for the yoga classes as well as additional equipment for the bi-weekly exercise program.  

Photo – Dorothy Cowley (left) and Val Henderson lead free exercise classes for seniors in Bristol. (DP)

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