Blog archive
September 2023
Rumor of Humor # 24
09/22/2023
Various Perspectives on Racism
09/16/2023
Rumor of Humor # 23
09/14/2023
A DIfferent Perspective
09/10/2023
Racism I Have Experienced
09/05/2023
1619 " Rump" Session
09/04/2023
August 2023
1619 Project Discussion Group explores the Arroyo Seco
08/28/2023
Beyond the Village - Judith Harris
08/28/2023
Board of Directors: Strategic Planning Updates
08/28/2023
Men's Time Brunch
08/28/2023
One Village, One Book
08/28/2023
Pasadena Racism, Past and Present
08/28/2023
Profile of a Leader: Ron Stoffers
08/28/2023
Remember John and Thelma Orr
08/28/2023
Volunteer & Leadership Training
08/28/2023
Gardenias
08/21/2023
Current Events Including the RICO Indictment of Mr. Trump
08/19/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
Shining a Light on Current Racial Inequities
08/07/2023
RofH#22
08/06/2023
July 2023
Arroyo Seco Development, Past and Present
07/24/2023
From the President
07/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #20
07/23/2023
VMC Conference 2023
07/21/2023
Strategic Plan Progress: Program Teams
07/17/2023
From the Executive Director
07/14/2023
Reflections from Villager Monica Hubbard
07/14/2023
SCOTUS: Rulings on Cases with No Standing
07/10/2023
History and Future Development of Arroyo Seco
07/09/2023
What I Like About Being a Villager
07/09/2023
June 2023
Dick and Sharon, Mixed Race Marriage
06/19/2023
Conversations with West African Art
06/09/2023
Bridget Brewster Discovers Village Benefits
06/04/2023
Communications Project with Cal State LA
06/02/2023
Creative Aging
06/01/2023
May 2023
One Villager's Story
05/31/2023
Pasadena Area Liberal Arts Center
05/31/2023
Pasadena Village Responds to Rainbow Flag Burning at Pasadena Buddhist Temple
05/31/2023
Plan Ahead - And Be Prepared
05/31/2023
Tuesday, May 23 Pasadena Celebrated Older Americans
05/31/2023
Reparations, Social Justice Activity
05/24/2023
Rumor of Humor #14
05/19/2023
Rumor of Humor #13
05/12/2023
Issue #12
05/09/2023
Science Monday - Review of Meeting on April 10, 2023
05/09/2023
Conversations Re African American Artists Before 1920
05/08/2023
Beyond the Village – Suzi and Phil Hoge
05/01/2023
Congratulations Wayne April! Honored at UNH
05/01/2023
Table Topics
05/01/2023
Volunteer Appreciation at the Village
05/01/2023
“ACCIDENTAL HOST—The Story of Rat Lungworm Disease”
05/01/2023
April 2023
Jumbo Joy
04/24/2023
Pasadenans Recent Experience With Racism
04/23/2023
Recent Events Reflecting Racism
04/23/2023
Fig and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
04/18/2023
Photography for Social Justice
04/11/2023
Issue #8
04/07/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Catherine Deely
04/06/2023
Creative Writing in Older Adults
04/06/2023
Gifts of Love
04/06/2023
March 2023
February 2023
2023 DEI Progress
02/27/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - Doug Colliflower
02/26/2023
CONVERSATIONS WITH ART
02/26/2023
GREAT DECISIONS
02/26/2023
OLDER ADULTS RESOURCE FAIR
02/26/2023
The Important, Influential Books in our Lives - Revisited
02/26/2023
History, Resolution of the 710 Freeway
02/19/2023
Eminent Domain, 710 Highway
02/13/2023
Bernard Garrett, 710 Freeway
02/06/2023
Men's Times Gatherings
02/03/2023
January 2023
Pasadena's Senior Commission
01/30/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - JIM HENDRICK
01/27/2023
GRATITUDE - IT'S GOOD FOR YOU!
01/27/2023
JEFF GUTSTADT - FORENSIC PATHOLOGIST
01/27/2023
Bernard Garrett, Incredible Black Entrepreneur
01/17/2023
What is the "Spirit Talk" Group About?
01/16/2023
Same Ol’ New Year, Brand New Me
01/12/2023
Review of 2022, Consideration of 2023
01/06/2023
BEYOND THE VILLAGE - PATTI LA MARR
01/03/2023
FROM THE CHAIR
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
01/03/2023
WALK WITH EASE
By Susan KujawaPosted: 01/03/2023
Walk With Ease
Walking has long been one of the best forms of exercise. But as we age, we can become more limited, and walking may eventually become the only way we can flex our muscles, speed up our heart rate, and deepen our breathing. Sometimes, walking itself can become too much of a chore as our capacity changes from being able to walk several miles a day, to just one mile, to a trip around the block. Eventually, we may stop walking altogether.
Walk With Ease is a research-based program to help people develop a walking routine, either from scratch or to reinvigerate what they are already doing. The Arthritis Foundation developed the program, but it is not limited to just those who have arthritis. Participants can start off at any level and increase their walking distance (or time) over a span of six-weeks.
In November 2022, Priyanka Kumar, the Membership Services and Volunteer Coordinator at Pasadena Village, took a leadership role in making Walk With Ease available to the Pasadena community. The program was offered at no cost to participants due to the generosity of the Navigage Foundation, Pasadena Community Foundation, and other donors. Under her guidance, the program has just completed its first six-week session.
Priyanka initiated the program by providing a copy of the Walk With Ease workbook to each participating member. The workbook stresses a basic five-step pattern: warming up, gently stretching, walking at “normal” speed, cooling down, and gently stretching again. The book also contains forms that the walker can use to track progress.
Once each week, a group of about ten walkers, including Villagers and others from the Pasadena community, met in Pasadena's Michillinda Park. Following the workbook's guidelines, Priyanka began each session by talking a bit about a portion of the workbook's content. Then she led a warm-up stroll followed some simple stretches. The next step was to walk at “normal” speed as each participant walked at her own pace for a given amount of time monitored by Priyanka. The session then shifted to a short cool-down walk ending with another set of simple stretches.
The park provided a pleasant environment not only to exercise but also to chat with other participants. As an extra attraction, four or five of the area's famous peacocks displayed their beautiful plumage while making sure they stayed out of the way.
Occasionally, a session included a “special event”. At one session, participant Suzi Hoge brought photos and samples of an array of some 40 devices intended to help older folks with such activities as opening jars, holding pens, turning keys, etc. At another session, Meg Maryan of Home Instead Pasadena (one of Pasadena Village’s generous supporters) brought a balance scale intended to predict the likelihood that a person will experience falls. She demonstrated its use, then the participants got to try it and receive their rating. See here for more information on the balance scale.
During these sessions, Priyanka's leadership skills shone. Her warmth and enthusiasm were contagious. Participants made new friends and found that walking and talking are good ways to get exercise and feel better about the day!
Priyanka will offer another six-week Walk With Ease program beginning in late January. This time, the sessions will be held at Lacy Park in San Marino. Learn more here.
So come and join the Walk With Ease group to rediscover the benefits of walking. Can't commit to six sessions? Come when you can. You think you will walk too slowly? Impossible! Whether you are a Village member or not, the group will be delighted to see you there.