There are so many opportunities to exercise.  Besides the usual physical exercise classes and strength training, you can enjoy working out in a calming and supportive environment – the swimming pool.  Most public and private facilities have classes available at different skill levels.  All these opportunities to exercise make me so happy, partially because I love to stay active, whether doing aerobics, swimming, or dancing, Additionally, my years of experience as an aqua-therapist and fitness trainer have taught me the benefits these activities have in people’s lives.

Besides the obvious physical advantages of staying healthy and fit, exercise is often recommended to relive stress, increase energy and help overcome illness and other psychologically taxing situations.  Exercise should not be viewed as a repetitive and straining series of movements, but rather as an experience in which to engage holistically.  The use of music greatly helps you to relax, as does experimenting by using the pool, specialized equipment to vary the training, or simply exercising outdoors.  These options are not only stimulating to the body, mind and mood – they’re fun!

For some of us, the bottom line is that we don’t feel like doing anything except staying home and watching television.  The good news is that you can watch TV and exercise at the same time!  Many quality television fitness programs are accessible from the comfort of your own home.  There are many different levels of exercises in which to participate, but each can provide an excellent way to stay limber, feel better, build muscle tone and strength and improve joint flexibility.  So exercise is something that you can do in your own home on those days when you’d rather not go out to a group exercise class.  You can do it on your own schedule; you can listen to soothing music; and you can do it all without wearing a stitch of clothing…if that is your preference!

Enjoy and good luck!

A native of Wisconsin, Dr Marilee Niehoff chose several different career paths, all focused on education and development for personal and organizational effectiveness. Interested in how mind, body and situation work together, Dr. Niehoff became a certified water exercise teacher and a certified Watsu® massage therapist.  She has led programs and classes in wellness, stress reduction, fitness and therapeutic massage.   She is the producer of a water exercise video, “Aquabics,” and a relaxation audiotape, “Release and Rejuvenation,” as well as the author of over 60 publications.