Wellness coalition offering classes for senior citizens

Two free, eight-week exercise classes for senior citizens are being offered from the Jefferson County Wellness Coalition.

A class entitled ageless fitness will run from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Tuesdays. The first class is next week.

The class is focused on improving balance, posture, flexibility, strength, relaxation and cardiovascular health.

Mercedes Jijena will lead ageless fitness. Jijena is a certified fitness instructor and personal trainer. She also is trained in Enhance Fitness, a workout designed for senior populations from Nova University, South Florida.

A second class, chair yoga, will run for eight weeks from 10:30-11:15 a.m. Thursdays, with the first class scheduled May 5.

Chair yoga, emphasizing simple yoga routines, improves strength and flexibility and enhances energy and well-being.

Eva Norlyk-Smith is the instructor. She is a certified yoga teacher and yoga therapist, specializing in the therapeutic applications of yoga.

All classes will be held at the Fairfield Senior Citizen Center.

The project is funded by the Iowa Department of Public Health through a community wellness grant.

For information, contact Ken Daley, executive director of the wellness coalition, at 209-9893.