Hi All,
I share this wonderfully expressive email which was written by member Lydia in support of the 9 am Friday group class with Katrina.
Dear Victoria,
I am not one to speak up, I’m a go with the flow kind of person, however I feel a strong need to share with you how much I and honestly, we as a group appreciate the Wednesday and Friday 9am Aerobics classes.
I understand the numbers may be lower than many of the other classes on offer, personally I think it’s a positive for those attending. It allows a more personal class and certainly less pressure to feel like you must keep up. As a group we laugh every single class, mostly at ourselves, when our bodies are not doing what our brain tells it too quick enough. Each time we walk away with a great feeling of euphoria and motivation to continue the rest of our day.
These classes not only address our physical health but 100% our mental health as well. There is not one other activity I do that leaves me with the same feeling. For those of us who love dance and music, and there are a few, this is our outlet, and it really makes us happy, that deep down inside happiness.
Friday’s class has me regularly questioning my ability to drive as I am aware of my brain having to work hard to complete some of the tasks, and Victoria, when I manage to successfully get through a whole set, without making a single mistake, I am absolutely chuffed with myself. It shows that I need to be challenged cognitively to stay in the best physical shape I can.
Balance is such a huge issue, and I am trying my best to prevent problems before they arise or at least delay them as long as possible. To be re sponsive on my feet is a big part of that.
Speaking with the ladies who attend these classes regularly, a common statement from each, including myself is, if we can make appointments around those class times, we all do it, so we don’t miss out that week. To be fair it’s not always possible, but it goes to show the impact these classes have on each of us that we all have the same mind set.
I know personally, I say quite bluntly to earlier appointment times ” around 11am please, I have exercise in the morning”.
When on holidays this is what I miss most, exercise can be done anywhere, but the comradery within these two groups, whether you’re new or not doesn’t matter, you are naturally sucked in by the ability to laugh at yourself and share the delight when as a class we successfully complete the set task. Quite simply, it’s motivational, it’s healthy and it’s priceless.
I need at least 30 mins of Cardio 3 times a week for it to be effective in managing my weight, if these 2 classes go, I will only have the Step Class on Tuesday that I can access.
I have been coming in later so I can do 30 minutes continuously on the treadmill, when it is much quieter and there are always free machines beside me (I’m always mindful of others), however after reading the last newsletter I no longer feel comfortable doing this.
Aqua Aerobics isn’t my cup of tea, well the Aerobics would be, it’s the stripping off and getting in and out of the pool that’s my deterrent, (my issue, I know, it comes from a lifetime of body shaming and feeling exposed and I’ll use the term “this is my safe place” I don’t want to change that.)
I really do appreciate everything you do that has created this wonderful safe place for us to come and be the best versions of ourselves. Please don’t think this letter is a complaint because it most certainly is not, Green Apple has changed my life, and I am extremely grateful for this amazing facility you have provided.
I just felt if I didn’t speak up, how would you know how I feel, how this change would impact me (that sounds selfish, which I certainly don’t mean too). I’m one person and these are my thoughts and feelings about 2 classes that do me the world of good physically and emotionally.
Thank you to the members who have taken the time to write to me to explain how you feel about Katrina’s class.
The big news now is that Katrina and Loretta got together to design a hybrid class so current participants still get their class, and we can now accommodate others who love music. Who will do the class in a chair!
Are you ready to try this?
Cheers
