As a group exercise instructor, it is my mission to give each class participant motivation, encouragement, a challenge, and a fun time during class so when he/she walks out of my class, he/she feels better, stronger, more energetic, and glad that he/she made the effort to attend my class.
Last Wednesday morning in Zumba at Northside YMCA, I had a new class participant and she had never tried a Zumba class before. I made sure to chat with her after class and encourage her to come back. She proceeded to tell me that it’s the first class she has been back to after losing her mother unexpectedly at the end of June. I could tell she wanted to talk, so for 20 minutes I listened….shared a little bit of my story of losing my grandmother a few weeks ago…and shared how being physically active can help us through dark, emotional moments. We both shed a few tears and then she gave me a hug and a little kiss on the cheek and thanked me for listening and said she would be back.
In this same class I have a senior lady who attends….I figured she was in her late 60s…she has been attending for a few weeks now…always smiles…has a great time….and makes sure to thank me after class. I was moved to tears when another participant shared me the story of this lady, Phyllis. Phyllis is 79 and is the caregiver for her husband who has Alzheimer’s. She hires a sitter once a week so she can attend my class. I was overwhelmed with emotions after hearing the stories of these two ladies.
That is why it is vital for me as an instructor to give 110% in every class…no matter how I feel or no matter the day that I am having. It is not about me….it is about my class participants. Health and wellness is more than just physical fitness….it is emotional wellness…..it is mental wellbeing….it is experiencing moments of joy, happiness, and fulfillment.
I want my class participants to leave my class feeling like a better person…a stronger person…a healthier person….and feeling empowered, encouraged, and motivated to face the rest of their day no matter what may come their way.
More lessons I’m learning from the classroom….
Angela Prather 
That is so amazing and I’m sure it is so humbling and nice to hear how you & your class are helping people. Exercise really does bring positivity to people and I’m sure your class is a way for the older lady to escape!