I am a 68-year-old woman interested in posture and longevity and have been going to Solcore for the past 7 years.
Before going to Solcore I did not have much of an exercise routine. I attended Zumba classes for a couple of years that I enjoyed mostly because of the participants and the music. The instructor emphasized the dance aspect and not the exercise component. My niece then convinced me to attend her weight lifting gym which I did for a little over a year. I benefited from the warm up exercises at this gym but did not like the weight lifting. It felt very awkward and unnatural to me. I was also concerned that I was not always doing the exercises or weight lifting correctly and feared either hurting myself or creating bad habits.
I chose Solcore because a friend recommended it, and I attended a free class. I appreciated the individual classes and the close observation. In a very short time, Ekemba knew where I needed to focus and even noted some structural concerns, such as scoliosis. I did not come into the class with any pre-existing problems or injuries that I was aware of.
My biggest goals were to improve body awareness and maintain good posture. I was aware of many people in my age group who were bent over, and I did not want that. I was active and enjoyed hiking, and I wanted to keep an active lifestyle as long as possible.
Upon starting, I felt very welcomed. I was observed closely, corrected as needed, and encouraged to do more when appropriate. It is surprisingly difficult doing the stretches and exercises, but I seldom feel discouraged. Ekemba encourages us to do more but without any overt competition. I don’t feel awkward or upset when I get something “wrong.” Maybe that’s what makes it work for me. There are ways to improve, but it never feels like you have really done anything wrong.
It is honestly hard to pinpoint one specific result. I attend very regularly, which tells me that I actually enjoy going. I leave with a feeling of accomplishment and feel overall really good, if occasionally sore. I know my posture is better, and I find myself feeling like I’m moving with purpose and mindfulness. During class, I find myself really focusing on the exercises. This is required, and it is so helpful for my mind as well as my body.
I am still growing older, I still have a stubborn 10-15 pounds that I should probably shed but I feel good about my body and I feel capable of physically doing most activities. I really notice it when I am gardening, one of my favorite activities. I feel like a superwoman out there!
I feel strong and I feel flexible and am grateful to have this program.
