PLATTSBURGH – Senior fitness is Mary P. Breyette’s passion.
For the past 15 years she has directed the weekday program for Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County.
The coronavirus pandemic has not upset her.
Breyette zooms in on local, national, and global participants and guides them through a series of courses including “Range of Motion,” “Growing Stronger-Strong Bones,” “Chair Chi,” “Growing Stronger / Balance,” and another “Range of.” Motion “” class.
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
“It has evidently moved on,” said the executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Clinton County.
“Basically we had a contract with the University of Vermont Healthcare Network to provide it, not specifically for seniors, but primarily for seniors, which is fitness programs. Lead people to healthier lifestyles. That’s how it started. “
The Senior Fitness program offered a variety of courses from Arthritis, Freedom of Movement to Strong Bones, a Tufts University Osteo course that focuses on strong bones, muscles and balance.
Breyette brought “Chair Chi”, which was developed by Pat Griffith.
“I originally did it because we wanted to work with COPD patients,” said Breyette.
“In the end, I didn’t get this contract, and we actually use it as a Wednesday rest day between all of our training programs. It is a course for mindfulness, breathing and gentle stretching. “
Breyette also teaches a limited class only to residents of Robert S. Long.
“We have a class every day from 9-10,” she said.
“With the pandemic, it went from personal to live streaming. We could do that because we have good employees. Really important. Senior Planet of the North Country, they now host us two days a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays. All of our courses are online, actually online live. It’s not glued on.
OFA, SENIOR PLANET, EMPLOYEES
Before the pandemic, Breyette was teaching a course at Senior Planet two days a week.
“The Aging Bureau has a contract called Senior Gym,” she said.
“So, through this contract, they financially support these programs.
“Senior Planet, you were my co-workers. We started by saying that I would bring another class to their website for free for their participants. Now they are the Zoom hosts twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
CCE Clinton runs the courses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
“With the exception of Chair Chi, these are all evaluated programs that are really important,” she said.
“Evaluated programs meant that they were tested. There was research. The results are what they say. What you see is what you get. They are true and tried. We do not record any of these programs because they are being evaluated, so I am actively committed to my class. “
PANDEMIC PANACEA
During the pandemic, many people with so much screen time zoomed out to connect for work, school, family and friends.
“We didn’t find that in this class,” she said.
“My participants say we are a community. The first year was all about physical health, my sportswear, this is where I can move. The second year was about mental health.
“’Thank god you’re here. You’re the reason I get out of bed You are the reason I get dressed in the morning. I feel like I am not alone. I feel like I’m in a community. ‘”
The participants exchange weather reports in Hawaii, Costa Rica and Montreal.
“We have people from all over the world attending, but definitely from across the country in addition to our Clinton County residents.”
Senior Planet is a national program with a large network, but Breyette’s reach was expanded by telling a friend about it.
“During the height of the pandemic, siblings and neighbors saw each other so in person,” she said.
“I had Miss Irma and Miss Ada, the only time they could see each other face to face was in the Zoom class. You are best friends. I have my Florida group that drops out every year to get engaged. “
COMMUNITY BEYOND EXERCISE
Senior Fitness has grown from 2,000 participants per year to over 2,000 participants per month.
“Do you think this is an impact?” She said.
“Oh yeah.”
The survey data was analyzed by 348 people who take classes five days a week.
Breyette is a lifetime individual of Physical Education and Health and Safety.
“We’re talking about how we all need it,” she said.
“Personally, I have osteoporosis. I teach the class and I’ve been teaching them for years. So can you imagine what I would be like if it weren’t for me? “
The participants exchange information, have become friends, support each other and celebrate holidays and milestones such as cancer remission.
“We really have friendly conversations every day,” she said.
“Before and after class, not during class. Class is class. Lessons begin, lessons begin. I adapt the class exercises to the needs of the students.
“As on Monday, our range of motion for the Arthritis Foundation can be done while standing. But I wanted to offer a class that anyone can do, so we offer this class while sitting. There are some who oppose it, but the majority of the class is sitting. “
Breyette adapts the exercises to the physical location of the participants and provides suggestions.
Tuesday morning she had 245 people in class.
“We always say that’s how to start slowly,” she said.
“Don’t hurt yourself. We’re really trying to individualize the lessons given the circumstances. “
‘Catch like wildfire’
The Eastern Adirondack Healthcare Network initially launched the program.
“I really can’t say enough for my co-workers, the Office for the Aging in Clinton County and Senior Planet of the North Country,” she said.
“Without these guys, you know… This was offered to our community members. Our residents here take advantage. Yes, we want more. It burns like fire too. It’s free. You can come one day. You can come once a month. You can do it once a year. “
Breyette accepts attendance and her regulars email her if they aren’t taking a class.
“We really are a community that looks forward to everyone being there,” she said.
“So if you are not there, you will be missed. That was a real salvation. One of my participants emailed me and she did research with seniors who found that zooming seniors were even more depressed and felt more isolated. She said,
‘Your class was obviously not there.’ I love it. That’s like the best. ‘”
Email to Robin Caudell:
rcaudell@pressrepublican.com
Twitter: @RobinCaudell
