Among the casualties of the increase in COVID-19 cases, are senior exercise classes that had just resumed in July.
Hawaii County moved the classes to larger, open-air venues like the Edith Kanakaole Multi-Purpose Stadium in Hilo and the Old Kona Airport Park’s Makaeo Events Pavilion in Kailua-Kona to allow for social distancing. Class sizes were also limited.
The classes, offered by the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division (EAD) are important to keep Hawaii Island’s kupuna healthy.
“Engaging kupuna in social activities has such a huge impact on their overall wellbeing,” says program director Iris Higa.
Spring classes were canceled during the lockdown. But in late July, EAD found a way to sponsor a modified summer schedule of classes that complied with the new rules for social gatherings.
Now, because of the surge in COVID-19 cases on Hawaii Island and new rules restricting gatherings to less than 10 people, the classes are canceled again.
Higa hopes that if everyone on Hawaii Island wears a mask and follows the new rules, cases will come down so that classes for seniors can resume in the fall or spring.
“Our goal is to provide social interaction in a safe setting to offset the isolation and depression that many kupuna are experiencing during the pandemic,” says Higa. “The social connection we see happening makes the class content almost secondary.”
Participants we talked to before the shutdown enthusiastically agree.
“Any kind of exercise is good,” says 90-year-old Alice Goo, who did chair yoga to augment a fitness routine of water aerobics and walking.
“Most participants can’t do regular yoga because they have physical limitations,” says chair yoga instructor Kym Gentry-Peck. “Chair yoga offers a safe, gentle practice to meet kupuna where they are in their functional mobility.”
Linda Vandervoort, 59, said her tai chi classes helped her manage stress.
“I feel more awareness in my body, more grounded,” she says.
Instructor, Sifu Rick Li, 74, spent 28 years in Hollywood, Calif., teaching multiple styles of martial arts, specializing in what he calls the practice of Nei Wai (internal external).
“The benefits of tai chi are there for those who make it a regular practice,” says Li.
A tag team of instructors, Rhodlynn Watai and Renee Morinaka, taught the high-energy, fast-paced Zumba class, a cardio fitness workout involving repetitive dance steps set to the rhythm and beat of pulsating music played from a boom box at full blast.
“My muscles get toned, and overall coordination is so much better,” says Florence Babbitt, 77, a retired nursing supervisor who’s done Zumba for eight years. “And there’s socialization in a group setting.”
Joanne Grace, 72, agrees.
“I love the camaraderie, and it’s a good workout — the music gives you a good feeling,” she says.
According to many others in the class, the good feelings linger long after class is over.
“It’s fun and you feel good afterward too,” says Claudette Serion, 69.
One can only imagine the appetites they’ve built for lunch.
“The kupuna are so sociable,” says Watai. “They’re joking and laughing as they leave — Zumba makes them happy!”
Before the pandemic, nearly 3,500 kupuna across Hawaii Island participated in more than 150 weekly classes organized by the Elderly Activities Division. The classes had broad appeal, ranging from making ceramics, to learning how to play the ukulele. For exercise, there was hula, line dancing, tai chi and yoga.
Whatever happens with the pandemic will determine if the county will be able to offer classes this fall starting at the end of September through the first week of December. The fee of $10 for 10 classes is the best deal in town. Advance registration and pre-enrollment are required. Seniors must be at least 55 years of age. Look for an announcement in this newspaper or visit www.hawaiicounty.gov to learn when classes will resume.
Disrupt Aging is a monthly column produced by AARP Hawaii, West Hawaii Today and Hawaii Tribune-Herald. Roberta Wong Murray is an AARP volunteer seeking stories about people who are redefining their age. Contact her at rwongmurray@gmail.com or call 322-6886.