Photograph by Skye Dunlap
Stress-Less: Joyce Chelonis, center, teaches a water aerobics class for seniors at the Elks Club in Willow Glen. Her students say the class energizes them and keeps them healthy and stress-free.
A Splashy Fountain of Youth
Water aerobics class for seniors is a chance to feel like a kid again
By Chantal Lamers
Everything is going swimmingly at the Elk's Club in Willow Glen as 45 seniors in sunglasses and sun visors kick off their flip flops, shed their T-shirts and start their warm-ups before jumping in for an hour of pool aerobics.
The water aerobics class has been popular with local seniors since it started five years ago, and a steady stream of new students continues to sign up for the Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning classes. Seniors in the classes range in age from 50 to 85.
"Flex those muscles," instructor Joyce Chelonis yells to the splashing seniors. "Use your hips like a hula-hoop, all the way around." The smell of chlorine and sunscreen hover over the clear pool water.
While healing from a broken ankle, Chelonis joined the class in 1995, and has been teaching it for the last three years. The class was great therapy, she says. "I just have fun," she said. Chelonis says the class makes her feel like a child again.
In the water, seniors jog to the rocking' sounds of Elvis and other oldies favorites. Working on their suntans, seniors say water aerobics energizes them, keeps them healthy and stress-free.
Women in the class giggle and laugh as they work out. As they shake their hips under water, one woman yells out, "Swing it, ladies!" Another woman across the pool replies, "I feel like I'm in high school."
Lou and Kitty Arndazzo, who have been married for 53 years, have both been taking water-aerobics classes together for five years. "It's a fun group," Lou Arndazzo says. "Everybody gets along."
When the couple isn't doing water punches or water jogging, they go on walks together or work out in the Elk's gym. "We do a lot of things together," Mr. Arndazzo says. "It keeps us young."
Clare Switzer, one of five female Elk's Club members who is recovering from an illness, says she joined the aerobics class to get back into shape. The people, the enthusiasm and the music keep her coming back each week, she says.
Sally Pfeiffer, another regular, has been coming to the water aerobics class for six months. Pfeiffer used to take aerobics classes at the gym, but discovered water aerobics is less stressful on her body. "I like everything from beginning to end. It makes me feel great," she says. "I have a healthy body and I want to keep it that way."
Chelonis teaches the class at the Elk's Lodge from May to October. During the rest of the year, Chelonis moves the class into an indoor pool at a health club.
For information on joining a seniors swim club, call Chelonis at 408.264.3935.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
