Get Fit While You Sit!
The Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center and the Avera Queen of Peace Wellness Center are sponsoring a 30-minute class for the general public and for cancer patients and their families called “Get Fit While You Sit!” According to Charlene Berke, Director of Radiation Oncology, “The group will meet every Tuesday morning at 10:00 a.m. for seven weeks starting January 12 in the lobby of the Cancer Center. The group approach to exercise is good for the morale and encouragement of folks with cancer and their families. There’s no charge for the class and all are welcome.”
Mary Lou Greenway, RYT 500, will lead the classes with assistance from other Wellness Center instructors. According to the American Cancer Society, cancer treatment can cause fatigue which exercising can help combat. In addition, cancer treatment can reduce the ability of the immune system and exercising helps boost the immune system; cancer can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other conditions, and exercising can help reduce the risks of these conditions. Finally, exercising helps increases range of motion and the ability to perform activities of daily living.
According to Greenway, “Everyone can benefit from exercising as it helps to promote health and well-being. The chair exercise classes can help individuals who have cancer in that same way. Exercising in a group is always more fun than exercising alone.” Berke stated, “We’re excited about having the chair exercise classes at the Cancer Center as the classes will add another element to our cancer services. I know our patients and their families will enjoy feeling better and working in a group to improve their health.”
For more information about “Get Fit While You Sit!” please contact Charlene Berke, Avera Queen of Peace Cancer Center, at 995-5756 or Mary Lou Greenway, Avera Queen of Peace Wellness Center, at 995-2445.
