My name is Kay Kahler. I have a bachelor of science degree in education and fitness. I have been a certified personal trainer and taught multiple classes in fitness centers for seniors as well as the younger population in my twenties. When I came to town in the late 1990's, as director at St. Francis Health and Recreation Center, I brought Arthritis Foundation programming to Little Falls. I left the field to stay home and raise my family. Now that they are in high school and young adults, I am looking to utilize my skills again. I am a Certified Leader for Arthritis Foundation Aquatic and Exercise Programs and am starting a class at the Senior Center.
Many people need the motivation of others to commit to an exercise program. Many seniors retire and experience isolation and body pains. Pains caused by past injury and the normal aging processes cause some to become inactive. This begins the cycle of increased joint pain, less muscle strength and reduced  muscle endurance, decreased overall cardio fitness, more sedentary lifestyle, reduced stability and balance, and increased falls. The final result is reduced mobility, poor mental health and more dependent living.
The Arthritis Foundation Exercise Program (AFEP) is focused on improving range of motion of all the joints in the body. This program can be done completely in the chair or intensity and stability can be increased with standing and/or adding floor exercises to increase core strengthening and conditioning exercises. In the fall I plan to offer an Arthritis Foundation Aquatic Program. All exercises can improve the activities of daily living and overall fitness and health (physical, mental and emotional) if done routinely. One is more likely to do exercise when held accountable by peers. Proper exercises can postpone joint replacements and improve successful rehab since the joints stay mobile and muscles remain strong with exercise.
Being an educated and qualified instructor teaching classes, I try to teach proper form so participants gain the most benefit from the motion and reduce injury. The benefits of exercise are multilevel. It improves one's mobility, mental health, social and quality of life.