Ageless Grace is officially a fitness and wellness program designed to focus on the healthy longevity of the body and mind. According to the official Ageless Grace website “Ageless Grace is a cutting-edge brain fitness program based on neuroplasticity that activates all 5 functions of the brain.”
SPLC’s Ageless Grace class is all that and a little more; here it is also a great way for seniors to let loose and rekindle their youth. As I watched one of the classes from afar, the youthful and carefree attitude of all seven women participating is what I noticed.
These women had all transformed into children with no worries or concerns. It seemed as though they were having the time of their lives. Their cheek to cheek smiles and roaring laughter were hard to miss for anyone nearby.
Across from me on the outskirts of the class stood a senior woman with a walker looking at the class with the same amazement as myself. She soon started moving toward the circle as if she were about to join. Seeming to remember that she had not signed up for the class, she backed away. Noticing this, the class stopped and two of the women in the class stood up, grabbed the woman a seat, helped her sit down and encouraged her to join.
In that moment, it was the community that overshadowed everything else that happened during the class. It wasn’t enough that they were having fun amongst themselves, they wanted to share the experience with others.
What I saw were smiles and laughter, but what they saw was engagement of the body and the mind. Janice, a regular attendee, said “it puts your mind to work, its relaxing as well.” The benefits of physical activity such as Ageless Grace are profound, especially in seniors.
The Canadian Physical Activity Guideline states that regular physical activity can reduce the risk of chronic disease, help maintain physical mobility, and provide a wide array of other health benefits. Ageless Grace is a simple and accessible way for seniors to engage in physical activity. Janice said “you don’t need skill, everyone can do it.”
This class is ageless in many ways. Anyone can participate, even the woman with the walker who happened to come by during the most recent class. It is also ageless in that the mind and body stimulation enacted by the class keeps attendees physically youthful.
This class is truly ageless in that it removes age from the equation. Once these women started having fun with the exercises, they let go of their age and I saw them return back to their youth.
Join the Ageless Grace class yourself by calling our line at 416-493-3333 and registering. We would love to see you there! Check out Ageless Grace and our other classes in our summer recreation program guide.
Please share the article with friends and family who might be interested in this class or any of the many other classes we offer here at SPLC!
