‘A Matter of Balance’ graduates in the class of 2016 with fitness instructor Loretta Stubbs, left, and former LARSO Executive Director Pauline Powell Schneider, seated at right. Courtesy/LARSO
By BERNADETTE LAURITZEN
Executive Director
Los Alamos Retired & Senior Organization
“Stay Home, Stay Safe, Stay Balanced,” is a DVD from Loretta Stubbs, a fitness instructor at the Betty Ehart Senior Center.
LARSO, which oversees both local senior centers, hopes to work with instructors, to create some “view at home” resources to keep seniors engaged physically. The 45-minute instruction DVD costs $15, and the center offers free delivery in Los Alamos and White Rock.
Stubbs has had a long relationship with the centers, originally working with former Director Pauline Powell Schneider to host balance classes. Her weekday morning classes were the most attended fitness class at both senior centers.
“We decided to record her class to see if it would be well received by our members and now offer it to the public, assuming ones’ doctor approves,” LARSO Executive Director Bernadette Lauritzen. “The centers are beginning talks with other instructors to see how we could increase our offerings.”
What has Stubbs enjoyed most about her time with the senior center?
“The gratitude, enjoyment, challenge and the opportunity to use the 40+years of education and skills that I have learned from my long career in fitness,” she said. “I have taught many genres with a diversity of ability, ethnicity age and places.”
Stubbs began her work at the age of 15, with a senior center in one of the most high-risk parts of Albuquerque. Now, 40 years later she is still teaching the same population. The immense love, support and education she gives and gets from seniors and invaluable to her spirit.
“They are my daily family and it helps me to feel that I contribute to their health and wellness program,” she said.
Stubbs called working with Schneider a privilege as they shared the same passion. She understood the importance of balance and the two teamed up to provide seniors the most current and useful information and training. This program today still allows seniors to be aware of the balance it takes to stay on top of their own health. The DVD offering furthers and encourages seniors to maintain their efforts at home.
Stubbs said she misses her exercise family during this pandemic and thinks about them often.
“I miss seeing the progress that they make each and every day,” Stubbs said. “The joy that they receive and help they get from a program that encourages them to accept where they are and improve at their own ability..”
Stubb said she enjoyed the encouragement the seniors gave to each other, too.
“I miss the connection of the human touch, voice and the ability to see their body language on a daily basis,” she said, adding that she hopes that the senior community will use this video to help them continue a wellness program until they can all meet again.
To purchase a video, call the Betty Ehart Senior Center at 505.662.8920.
