SITKA — SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) Health Promotion is offering a free program designed to help seniors 60 and older improve their quality of life and remain active and independent. The 8-week series of classes, called Wise Elders Living Longer (WELL-Balanced) begins February 1 at the Hames Center and open to all age-eligible Sitkans.
Falling is the most common and serious risk facing older people, and the fear of falling can cause seniors to limit their activity, leading to a decline in health and the loss of independence. The primary goal of WELL-Balanced is reducing falls for seniors by increasing their awareness of risks and helping them gain both physical strength and confidence in their ability to manage those risks. For those that participate, the program offers the added benefits of increased activity levels, engaging with others socially, and simply having fun.
Two coaches, Sue Conrad and Caitlin Way, will lead the 8-week curriculum.
Sue is a Certified Personal Trainer by the American Council on Exercise, a Certified 200 RYT Yoga Teacher, is Spinning and Schwinn Cycling Certified, and a Girls on the Run Head Coach & T3 Trainer. She enjoys working with clients of all ages and levels and especially helping people feel healthy and successful in their fitness goals and everyday lives.
Born and raised in Sitka, Caitlin is a local small business owner, personal trainer, and yoga instructor. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology from Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado, and afterward obtained a health coaching certificate from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, completed 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training, and has become an Onnit Foundations Certified Coach.
WELL-Balanced classes are Tuesdays and Thursdays from Noon to 1:00 pm, Thursday, February 1 through Tuesday, March 27 at the Hames Athletic and Wellness Center, 121 John Brady Drive.
WELL-Balanced is open to the entire community. For more information or to register, please contact the Hames Center at 747.5080.