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It was National Senior Health & Fitness Day at the Rye YMCA Wednesday and activities were planned to encourage overall health and well-being for older adults.
Its more than just physical activity, said Laura Tiedge, senior director of healthy living at the Rye YMCA. It gives seniors the opportunity to take control of their health and to connect with each other.
This was the 18th year of National Senior Health & Fitness Day, which was started by the Mature Market Resource Center, a national information clearinghouse for older adults.
Seniors, mostly from Rye, Harrison, Mamaroneck and Larchmont, participated in activities such as dancing, meditation, flower arranging and Conductorcise, which involves mimicking the movements of an orchestra conductor.
Stephanie Iachetta, who declined to give her age but identified as a senior, led a small group of women in a Latin-based fitness dancing known as Zumba.
The most important thing is to have fun, said Iachetta, wearing a headset and hot pink tank top.
Similar activities were held at senior centers and community organizations in the area to get as many people involved as possible, though the majority of participants tended to be female.
Its just a statistical thing, women usually live longer, so there are more of them at this age, said Tiedge. But they also like being in groups and doing things together more than the men.
Jeannie Sabatini, 57, gave rose buds in lace pouches to each participant at the end of her flower arranging class.
Its nice to give back to the seniors, she said. Because theyve given so much to us.
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