Testimonials
My wife and I could not be happier with our new participation in Steady for Life classes. The instructor is wonderful, kind, and instructive.
I will be 85 next month and it bothers me that I have found myself as weak and out of balance as I am! But I am sure that participation in this program will help me to regain some of what the years have taken from me. This is just the kind of help and support that I need and that will carry me through the next ventures in my life.
Thanks for offering this!— Eugene
In June of 2023 we had a car accident on the way to exercise class. We sustained various fractures and after a number of months we were able to return to our REV-It-Up class. Our medical team indicated that if it were not for the condition we were in due to our exercise classes, the outcome of the accident would have been less favorable. Thank you; Paula and SFL.
— Mary & Dick
In my late 50's, I was struggling with autoimmune issues. The immune system attacking my nerves was taking away my ability to walk for more than half a mile. I did work on my own to keep the body moving; climbing stairs, riding a bicycle, walking half a mile in the neighborhood. I also started doing yoga for mature adults at YMCA. Through this class I learned of Steady for Life exercise classes at a local church; the classes had me challenging my muscles and nerves and kept them working. Except for the COVID-19 period I have been attending Steady for Life classes regularly. In addition, a big part of keeping the immune system in check is to keep the stress at a low level. The crews that run Steady for Life are supportive and professional and keep the stress level of participants low. It has been good for my body and brain to find and be on the Steady for Life path.
— Robert
I began taking yoga classes from Steady for Life back in the summer of 2013. Never in my life had I taken yoga. Never! The class was called Gentle Yoga and I decided to give it a try. We were encouraged to modify the moves to fit our bodies. Since I get motion sickness easily, I had to modify! At first, I took yoga twice a week until my part-time job expanded to most of the work week. Sadly, I had to temporarily quit my yoga class. It wasn't long before I realized how good yoga was for me. I had gradually lost the strength and flexibility that I had gained. After quitting my job, I have been back in class for over two years and love it! My joints are so much looser--no hip pain--and I have regained some strength. The Covid 19 pandemic forced Steady for Life to do things differently. Classes were (are) held over Zoom which was great, but it is wonderful to be back to in-person classes! Our classes are small and we are using safe practices. They are led by Amy and Karleen who are so patient. They get to know all their students' abilities, too. I encourage everyone to give yoga a try.
— Joan
Each day as my cell phone alarm goes off, there is an anticipation of what is to come. I turn my thermostat down to 70 degrees, put on my workout clothes, put my hair up so it won't stick to my sweaty neck and put on my energy shoes. Then time to turn on the ceiling fan in my dining area, gather my water bottle, and Zoom in with the magic numbers that Kim, Molly, or Paula have given me through email. The whole Zoom meeting technology within itself is miraculous!
— An excerpt from the short story "Flailing Arms & Pumping Iron" by Catherine Cantrell.
I was a caregiver for my husband for 3 years. I was so glad Rick was able to stay home to the very end of his battle with ALS, but WOW it took a toll on me. Susan (now retired from Steady for Life) also lost her husband to ALS. Susan introduced me to Steady for Life, "Cindy", she said, "you need yoga it will help you relax and stay flexible". Susan was a life saver as I faced life without my soul mate. I found comfort and renewed energy when I went to yoga class. This was not a room full of 20-year-olds this was a class with members some older than my 62 years and some younger and all at different levels. Chris was a wonderful instructor for me to have as I eased into learning about yoga positions and balance. As I became comfortable with yoga fellow classmates encouraged me to come to 'Move to the Music' on Thursday's with Jill. I struck gold with this class too! A fun cardio workout for the heart and the brain. I look forward to these classes every week and seeing the friends I have made. Then, I heard that the "Steadies" also travel together. I signed up for a day trip not knowing what to expect. My first seat mate on the motor coach has become a dear friend and I have enjoyed many trips since then. I also mark my calendar for upcoming Health Seminars that Kim hosts throughout the year. I had a free hearing test after one health seminar and found out I needed hearing aids (which I suspected). Here I am two years later, turning 65 next month, feeling physically stronger and mentally sharper than ever!
Thank You Kim and "Steady for Life" staff.— Cindy Isaacs
In 2012, I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. As it was life threatening, it was removed immediately. It impacted my left arm and hand and left me with a seizure condition. Due to the brain damage and seizure medication, my balance
was drastically affected. That is why I was attracted to the Steady for Life exercise and balance class taught in my area by Debra Wade. Debra works all parts of the body and focuses on balance. I have continued this class for two years which is the longest I have ever stayed with any exercise program. During my last visits with my neurologist and general practitioner, I was tested for my balance and walk. Both doctors were very pleased with my improvement and told me to keep it up. I'll never had the balance I had before, but I definitely plan on continuing with this class.— Pam C., Hampton Cove
Two years ago, after teaching high school seniors for 26 years at Bob Jones High School in Madison, I retired from the classroom, and basically from life.
I told myself as I was filling out all of the retirement papers that I would be starting a new life, but in retrospect, I see that I had no idea how to do that. So I kept doing what I had been doing for the past 26 years - teaching. But I was not in the classroom; I was teaching online classes, and because I could - I was doing that from my bed. My husband would leave for work in the morning, and I would be in the bed. He would return in the evening, and I would often still be in the bed loaded up with my computer, notepads, coffee cup, bottled water, and various evidence of things I had eaten throughout the day. If I needed something from the store, I would call one of my adult children to pick it up for me while they were out and about. I felt productive because, after all, I was still teaching.
But as the months rolled by, my mental, physical, and spiritual health declined, and I became the poster child for the "bedridden."
That is when my former college roommate and good friend, Jill Chadwick, stepped in and "tricked" me in to coming back to the world of the living. She explained that she was going to start teaching a Move to the Music class and that she was afraid that she would not have any students. She pleaded with me to come to her first month of classes just so she would have 1 student she could count on. Because Jill convinced me that I would be doing her a favor - I went to her class. As I looked around that first night, I realized that most of the people there were about my age and ability level. As the class progressed, I noted that no one was looking at or judging me - we were all focused on the teacher as she made us laugh with her delightful sense of humor and feel confident with her sincere praise. By the time I left class that night, I was already looking forward to the next class. Basically, I was hooked.
After going to Move to the Music classes for a month, Jill causally mentioned that there was a Yoga class that met at the same location and that I might enjoy that as well. She was right. Again, our teacher was kind and very aware that we were "of a certain age." She took the time to work with us individually and always offered levels of options that would work for our bodies.
Over the past year, I have come to know and love the people in both my classes. I look forward to Tuesday and Thursday mornings because I know that I will see my friends, invigorate and strengthen my body, and enrich my mind and soul - all while having fun! I am still teaching my online classes, but I do that in the afternoons at the kitchen table, and I am stronger, healthier, and happier than I
have been in years.
I credit Jill with "saving my life," and I am happy to tell anyone who will listen to me rave about the benefits of being a part of the Steady for Life program.— Martha
My husband and I just returned from a 25-day cruise and land trip to the Mediterranean. I have a whole new appreciations for the squats you have us do!! On our trip, some of the women's "toilets" were either just a hole in the floor or a porcelain bowl without a seat! I so appreciated the fact that I could handle this so much better than some of the other women on our group -- thanks to you!!! Besides that, I was able to handle 7-8 miles of walking many days, a lot of which was uphill, thanks to you helping us be stronger each day!
I feel so blessed to have joined your group!
Thank you,— Sue
I have never consistently committed to anything exercise-wise. I also cannot tell you how much I love my Balance class. I am committed to this. I arrange appointments so as not to miss it because I know there will be many times I must miss it for travel, etc.
I love the class for a couple of reasons. First, and foremost, although I struggle in the class, I see measurable improvement physically and mentally. Second, I am inspired by watching the commitment of the other attendees. Everyone comes to class prepared to try. I know that many of them face greater physical challenges than I do, yet no one quits during class. Where else nearby can you have so much fun for about $3 per hour. Good chocolate or a good cocktail cost much more, and neither typically
last an hour.— Mitzi