(Posted August 2022)
“I love doing what I do,” shared Volunteer Solutions volunteer Maria Romain, referring to the Stay Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) fitness program she teaches weekly at Wakefield Senior Center in Annandale, and as a substitute at another center. She first heard about this volunteer opportunity to lead SAIL classes through her neighbor, Diane Ditzler, who was a volunteer instructor. Inspired, Maria registered with Volunteer Solutions in October 2021. She took the SAIL course – covered by Fairfax County for those who commit to teaching it at senior centers - and completed the certification.
Maria, who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Philadelphia, had never taught fitness to others, but has always prioritized being healthy and exercising. She and her husband have a personal gym set up in their home in Annandale, where they live with their adult son and daughter. Maria worked on government proposals as a contractor for much of her career and is now working part-time in Human Resources for a small company.
The SAIL fitness program incorporates warm-up, stretching, aerobics (without jumping) to raise the heartbeat, cool down, weights for muscle strengthening, balancing, and using obstacles, among other techniques. Each class is approximately 55 minutes long and has a co-instructor demonstrating the seated version of the exercises.
Maria enjoys choosing a variety of songs to appeal to class members. As she’s leading them, she’ll assess what the members are doing and adjust movements accordingly, slower, or faster. She reiterates to them to listen to their bodies and do what they can, without overdoing it. She appreciates the praise she gets from her loyal students and that they keep returning. She had one participant tell her, “It gives me just enough exercise where I’m not exhausted, but I felt like I got a good workout.”
Maria expressed her appreciation for volunteering as a fitness instructor with Volunteer Solutions and the centers, seeing it as a “win-win.” She forms social connections and stays active while helping others do the same. She is buoyed and motivated by witnessing the progress her students have made through their fitness checks after each 12-week session.
We are thankful to Maria, and all our skilled volunteers, for sharing their talents with others!
(Photos courtesy of Andy Romain)