We have just joined our local 'gym' which is held for the over 60s in the village Salle de Fete. It is held twice a week in the mornings and is in French (so a free French lesson). Each session (séance) starts 20 minutes early so the participants can take coffee and cake before the ‘strenuous’ tai chi type exercises! The first session involved filling out 5 forms in French and meeting the other participants. It is a mixed class including the previous Maire and other local folk. Ages range from 89 to 60+.
Luckily, body-hugging, gold lame lycra suits or special sports clothing are not obligatory and, when we do foot exercises in our socks with a small ball, holes appear quite frequently! One man comes in his slippers and the others are wearing an assortment of comfy shoes. Ian and I get top marks for wearing joggers (trainers)!
The exercises are varied and everyone takes them seriously, including press-ups against the wall, walking on our heels, then toes, then along a taped straight line (best in the mornings!). There is much laughter and egging each other on. The lady who takes the class is professional and very supportive of aged people with less flexibility and fitness. When Ian is staggering around and not hearing, or understanding the instructions, she follows behind him saying ‘coucou, Yan, coucou’. Ian says ‘If you see yourself as an under training Clint Eastwood, this can be pretty hard to take!!’
Each week we get a short lecture on safety in the home, proper foot-ware, keeping healthy and the importance of exercising. The nicest part is greeting the local folk who attend, being accepted, kissed and, at times, gently teased when trying out a new exercise. There is a warmth and kindliness that is exceptional. No competitive or comparative aspects at all.
However, I don’t think we shall be entering for the Olympics next year though, despite our increasing flexibility and improved ‘equilibre’!
Alison Croft
