San Diego Oasis kicked off this year with its Fitness-Palooza event with two YouTube videos for older adults on Jan. 4 and 6. Each video has four different fitness demonstrations with four different instructors. People get the chance to see different styles of exercise, learn a little bit about the instructor, and then can choose which San Diego Oasis fitness programs they would like to participate in and join the class.
Simona Valanciute, San Diego Oasis CEO said this kick-off event is meant to be a “taste of fitness” so people can decide what fitness program is best for them and take those classes on an ongoing basis.
“There is a lot of research on the importance of exercise both towards the physical health as well as the cognitive health. There is a direct correlation,” said Valanciute. “So, as we yearly make our New Year’s resolutions and fitness, healthy eating and living, regardless of the age group. So, every year we do this.”
“We have four different fitness demonstrations,” she continued. “You meet the instructor, learn about their background and then join the instructor from your home via Zoom and start to exercise.”
Valanciute said this year is unusual as it can not be held in-person, but San Diego Oasis has not missed one day of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic and that its online classes are now reaching national and international participant. She said whether it is dance, Zumba, breathing mediation, better balance or any of its exercise programs, there is a class for anyone of any age.
“Fitness Palooza is focused on the older adult population here and the goal is very simple,” she said. “To help people discover new physical activities that they would love. This means there is a much more likely chance that they will stick to it.”
Valanciute said Oasis encourages healthy aging by continuing to stimulate curiosity and keeping physical health strong, no matter where someone is in the aging process or what physical conditions they may have.
“It is about bringing aging related exercise and also just having fun that anybody of any age group would enjoy,” she said.
Valanciute said that she is extremely optimistic that it can begin in-person classes in July.
“That is my goal if everything goes well,” she said. “We do not expect everything to be normal fully like we used to, but I believe the summer we can start taking baby steps.
To learn more about Oasis’s programs visit www.san-diego.oasisnet.org. To watch its Fitness Palooza fitness demonstrations and meet some of its instructors, visit www.youtube.com/user/SanDiegoOasis.
