Topics: aqua, classes, exercise, healthy, mackay

CATHY de Jong wants to bring aqua aerobics to more people.

Ms de Jong said it was time to take the exercise to more venues in the Mackay and surrounding areas.

"I have spread my wings and gone regional as there is a real lack of services and in some cases a lack of venues," Ms de Jong said.

"I am now running aqua classes in Sarina to which I am getting such a great response; I have added a second class on Tuesdays much to the joy of the participants."

She is also getting a good response to new tranquil yoga classes in Walkerston at Wests Leagues Club.

"I have also added a second class out there due to a high demand," she said.

"Both the aqua fitness and yoga have been attracting 30-40 participants per class with all of them enjoying the benefits, and I am getting great feedback from individual clients all the time about both their physical and mental health."

The changes to her routine have also come about because of the lack of facilities in the Northern Beaches area.

"After losing the use of the Dolphin Heads Pool due to body corporate issues, I was unable to find a suitable venue out there so I'm running classes at Pioneer Swim Centre on Monday and Wednesday evenings," she said.

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Aqua aerobics is buoyant

Adele Tarran, 82, takes part in a Zumba class at Oshman Family Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto. Tarran is staying active and exercising through fast-paced aerobics classes, such as Zumba, and those that work on balance and strength, such as tai chi. (Patrick Tehan/San Jose Mercury News)

Adele Tarran, 82, has long made exercise a regular habit. She considers it essential to her overall mental and physical wellness. If she goes a few days without a workout, she feels "achy."

"Exercise helps work those kinds of things out and makes me feel stronger and better all around," the Palo Alto resident says.

Tarran took up tennis when she was raising her three sons on Long Island. Once they were grown and out the house, she started going to aerobics classes with a friend.

When Tarran moved to Palo Alto in 2009 to be closer to her sons and five grandchildren, she didn't give up her habit -- she expanded it.

Living in the Moldaw Residences, a senior living community, has allowed her to explore different types of exercise and fitness regimes. The community is next door to the Oshman Family Jewish Community Center, which offers a range of classes daily.

Tarran has become a regular at the center's Monday aerobics class, Tuesday tai chi and Saturday morning Zumba, a fitness program that combines aerobics and martial arts moves with choreography from hip-hop, Latin and other dance styles.

"It can be hard to start exercising when you reach a certain age and if you hadn't done so before," she says. "For me, I've been enjoying aerobics for a long time, so it's hard to stop."

She loves the intensity of Zumba, and the complementary grace, balance and strength offered by tai chi. When she's not in classes, she visits the center's weight training room or takes herself on walks around the neighborhood or along San Francisco Bay.

"If I don't go to class and it's a beautiful day, I'll take a walk," Tarran says.

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Palo Alto 82-year-old staying fit for life