Covid puts a kink in exercise class, but the fun goes on, digitally distanced

Diane Tremblay, a recreation specialist at PenMet Parks, has been working for the past two years to create opportunities and activates for adults with disabilities. The ball had begun to roll, but then COVID hit, and everything came to a halt.

Tremblay, PenMet Parks recreation tech for special population, suddenly faced an unfamiliar problem: How could she create engaging activates on the video platform Zoom for people with disabilities?

“Like all of us, staying fit is really important for health and right now, during this covid period, people are homebound and fairly isolated,” said.

Tremblay’s program at PenMet serves adults with special needs or intellectual development disabilities.

For them especially, she said, “to be able to offer any kind of movement, and exercise would be really important for psychology, for the emotional, physical and all-around well-being.”

“To transition to a virtual platform was really challenging,” she said. “There’s no substitute for being together.”

She tried dance class over the summer, but one participant was having difficulty seeing what was going on, and began to withdraw.

But perseverance was the key, Tremblay said. After six weeks of working with the participants over zoom, Tremblay began to notice larger smiles each class.

“After about six weeks, each time getting more and more accustomed to being on the computer and starting to participate more and more, she now laughs and smiles and gets up and dances on her own,” Tremblay said.

“It’s a big deal for them to connect when they don’t have much of that at all during their week,” she said. “They love seeing their friends.”

After many trials over the summer, PenMet Parks in October began offering four different zoom activities for people with disabilities. These include a modified yoga, social club, fitness and fun, ribbon dancing.

There is a limit of available spots for these activities, but Tremblay said she is open to adding more classes if the demand is high enough.

Modified Yoga

Modified yoga is a 4-week virtual class for adults with mild to moderate mobility or movement regulations.

“Adapted yoga focuses on breathing, stretching and strengthening through gentle exercises done in a seated position or while lying on the floor,” the flyer reads.

Modified yoga is limited to ten participants per class. Classes are from 9:30 a.m. to 10:10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays beginning October 6.

Social Club

The social club’s name says it all: this is an opportunity for people with disabilities to interact with new and old friends.

“Sometimes we do interactive games, listen to music and dance, have a talent show day,” Tremblay said.

The importance of social interaction is crucial for all, and COVID has somewhat restricted this basic human need for many adults.

I’ve seen how excited people are in the social club to connect with their friends, and it’s a great support for their families,” Tremblay said.

Beginning in October, the social club will be at 10 a.m. on Friday. The class is limited to 12 participants per week.

PenMet has also teamed up with the non-profit organization Group Action for Peninsula People for their upcoming Social Club. The non-profit, who serves around 16 individuals with disabilities, five of which are in Gig Harbor, are aiming to hold a tie dye face mask zoom session through PenMet.

“Our five individuals are working with care providers and are developing boxes of masks and tie dye,” said Connie Nelson, a board member for the non-profit. “We will do a live zoom. The five residents have put together the boxes and they are delivering to friends in the community who are also special needs.”

Nelson said this population is very isolated, and holding a zoom call will be a benefit to all.

Fitness and fun

This class will focus on specialized fitness for each participant.

“It is a specialized fitness class to promote endurances, strength, and mental focus,” Tremblay said.

Movement exercises are done while sitting on a large exercise ball or chair while using props such as a ribbon stick or hula hoop. Each exercise will be adapted for each participant, and the props will be provided by PenMet.

This class is held from 3 p.m. to 3:40 p.m. starting the first Thursday of October. Each class holds eight participants.

Ribbon dancing

Ribbon dancing focuses solely on easy dance moves with props. Participants move to the music as Tremblay encourages all to follow her specific moves.

“Some participate with the help of a care giver, some are independent, but they are learning to follow the moves which is good for the brain and body, and it’s a lot of fun,” Tremblay said.

Tremblay said she has led this class for the past five to eight weeks with great success.

Ribbon dancing is held from 10 to 10:40 a.m. on Wednesdays.

All these programs are highlighted on page 12 of PenMet Parks Fall guide , which was delivered to homes in the district October 16.