What’s happening at Bartlett Woods? What is that music? Where is it coming from?
Let’s find out.
Stepping into the elevator, we hear joyful shouting: YIPPEE!! YAHOO!!
As the elevator opens, we hear explosive voices – WHOOP DEEDO and see a sea of colorful scarves floating toward the ceiling. Laughter takes over as some participants can’t locate their scarf and some have more than one.
They get matters sorted and the music continues and takes them to new moves, exercising their arms, legs, and brains. Residents are comfortable with the moves their bodies can handle. Laughter.
We check the activity schedule and see we’ve discovered an exercise class called “Scarves.” About a dozen resident participants are seated in a large circle, following the moves and instructions of the leader. Today they are exercising to the show tunes from Oklahoma. Some are singing the familiar songs. All are moving. Following instructions, they are passing the scarves to the right and left and trying to toss their scarf and touch the ceiling.
This is an active class of laughter AND exercise. It even gives the brain some challenges. We notice the participants are doing stretch moves and getting an aerobic workout that suits them. Each individual does what they feel their body can do – no pressure and no competition. At the end, the class shares their happy thoughts and they close with their response to the question: “What do we know?” Everyone answers with a resounding, “All will be well” plus an even more resounding, “I am STRONG.”
The class members grab their water bottles and head back to their apartments Some stick around enjoying the fellowship and the rejuvenation. There are smiles all around.
Another challenge accomplished.
