“I’ve been to a lot of classes–four exercise classes recently. This is by far the most interesting," says Dorothy Wall of Paia, Hawaii. "I was most comfortable with the people in charge. For the first class, I walked in and it was scary for me. Then, Maggie walked right up to me and right away I could tell she was my type. I said, ‘Thank you, Lord.’ Right away I felt safe and comfortable.

I learned different ways to do exercises that I had already been doing, but they were easier to understand, and therefore, I was more motivated to do them. Understanding is important to me. They made the exercises interesting so I did them.

I learned different ways to do exercises that I had already been doing, but they were easier to understand, and therefore, I was more motivated to do them. Understanding is important to me. They made the exercises interesting so I did them.

Then on Monday I fell because they changed my medication. I wrote a letter to the leaders to tell them that. I cried all day because I had to miss the class on Wednesday.

What I liked best is that the exercises are interesting, with quirks, and fun. I still do some of the exercises each day. I practice walking heel/toe. I’ve learned that slowing down is important while I am practicing certain exercises.

I was surprised to see several people in the class willing to participate fully and really trying to do the exercises. They usually don’t interact.

The best thing is that I am sleeping much better. I used to get up after three or four hours of sleeping and could not fall back asleep. This went on for years. Now I sleep like a baby. Now I have to tell the staff not to wake me up in the early morning because I sleep so soundly. Moving my body and doing the exercises naturally makes me tired, a good tired, and so I sleep well.

I feel stronger. I walked over to our interview without any walker. I have more confidence in my physical self.”

Interview by Karen Peterson, Executive Director, Giving Back Mentoring. Move with Balance program.