Getsetfit

14/11/2025

Quote of the year thanks to Professor Dawn Skelton: "Just as you wouldn't give someone only half a dose of chemotherapy, we should ensure older people receive the full, evidence-based prescription of exercise."
The evidence is clear.
Gentle, seated exercise does not maintain independence or reduce falls.
To be effective the prescription is for an exercise dose of 50 hours over 6 months, involving 2-3 increasingly challenging strength and standing balance sessions per week lasting at least 30 minutes.

02/11/2025

Explore weekend at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) is the most inspiring experience. If you know anybody who would like to find out about the part they could play on an expedition or completing fieldwork, however small or large, whether inexperienced or experienced, this is the place to network and learn. Oh, and there's even a yoga session to start the Sunday 🧘🏻‍♀️
Photo credit: Cameron Mackay

24/10/2025

No classes from 7pm, Tuesday 28th October (6pm class is ON) until Sunday, 2nd November inclusive.
On Sunday, 2nd November I'll be in London at Explore 2025, at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG). Looking forward to teaching a yoga session to start off the day.

14/10/2025

Following a hip fracture:
* 30% of older adults die within the first 12 months.
* 30–60% of older adults lose the ability to return to independent living in their own home.
* There can be a 5% loss of leg muscle strength after just 24 hours of bed rest in hospital or at home.
* For those 80+ such a short period of bed rest can result in an increased need for care.

Fit4Life classes at Boat of Garten Community Hall provide individually tailored exercise for older adults, and a weekly boost to motivation for increasing independent activity.
Education & Activity for Quality of Life.

Please get in touch to enquire about suitability to attend the classes.

02/10/2025

Academic research into the benefits of yoga is always of interest to me, and when there's a study looking at whether yoga might prevent falls, I'm even more interested!
This study shows that not all exercise prevents falls; in fact it might even increase falls risk.
Standing and static balance may increase confidence, but if there is insufficient variability in the content such that it lacks dynamic balance, transfers (to chairs, to the floor) then perhaps something is not better than nothing.
Read a summary of the study here:
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanhl/article/PIIS2666-7568(25)00068-6/fulltext?rss=yes
Listen to a 6 minute discussion about it here:
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/healthreport/yoga-falls-prevention-older-people/105821952?fbclid=IwY2xjawNLShZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETBvb3d2WlY1aEF5TjI4eEZqAR5mAWOtCd_4mBWtuxoAGnUdw4sa_Z9zUrpsoFZoukCcRPqJpVxBWLzkJWEMtA_aem_4uvGeWdcznK-8mTPhpIbKQ

As we get older, falls become a serious health risk. They can trigger dramatic deteriorations in a person’s health. Preventing falls is important, so we need to know the exercises and activities that give the biggest bang for buck. A new study has looked into Iyengar yoga and whether it can help p...

22/09/2025

It's the Autumn Equinox, when sun and moon balance.
Our theme for this week's classes:
Hatha: the opposites, eg of sun (ha) and moon (tha)
Yoga: union - of mind, breath and body, and to bring into balance.
Expect to co-ordinate your breath with your movement as you practise balance challenges low to the mat and in standing. 🧘🏼‍♀️

28/08/2025

Thank you, Dawn Skelton, for such clear messaging. I highly recommend listening (while standing) to her 4 minutes of advice about maintaining physical capacity as we age:
https://wordonhealth.com/on-air-articles.php?fbclid=IwVERDUAMc66JleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHqW0ksoumHpwipURxBASEHULSPJyrwzeowzkuoFGDmVqV5a-ohNV_P0ZwYtT_aem_CtXiJ3XWJnjc5_V6EFEPfQ

Our grateful thanks to Tony Gavin  for his contribution to our radio feature that you can hear again via the audio player further down this page. We are also thankful to the NHS  for the use of some of the support information below.

26/08/2025

Fit4Life classes resume 11am, Wednesday, 27th August 2025.
This weekly class at Boat of Garten Community Hall is for older people keen to maintain independent living as they age. The ages of current participants ranges between 75-91 years.
Incorporating the activities known to make the difference, including:
* muscular strength and power - lifting the kettle, getting up off the sofa
* balance (dynamic and static) - walking on uneven woodland paths
* flexibility - dressing independently, reaching to high cupboards
* getting down/up from the floor - to practise in case of a fall
* floor management skills - playing with grandchildren
* endurance - keeping going for longer.
Although some participants may not feel able/confident to transfer to the floor, we practise strategies over the sessions to build the ability/confidence as required by each individual.
We are a warm and friendly group, welcoming of new participants.
Please get in touch so that we can chat about your, your family members', or friends' needs. The chat prior to first attendance is an essential (and free) part of the service.

20/08/2025

Please share widely with anyone who may be interested in inclusion and expeditions. Facilitated by Equal Adventure, this is the day before Explore2025 at the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) starts:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/inclusive-fieldwork-expeditions-race-disability?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMSgRljbGNrAxKBA2V4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEe_HZdoV-ySUmiojkQuDf-qLGKxVZAQtLKDRoqgb6eRoG5ckJZYVg7tFVxRrE_aem_e2pDtqhycR7BXR0vZpW_bw

This seminar, run by Equal Adventure, explores race and disability inclusion in fieldwork and expeditions, aimed at leaders seeking inclusive practices.

19/08/2025

The full class timetable restarts Sunday, 24th August 2025.
Classes at Speyside Centre, Boat of Garten Community Hall and Burghead Community Hall.
Beginners are very welcome. Please get in touch with your questions and to find out which class will best suit you.
Booking essential: www.getsetfit.net/bookings

14/08/2025

Here's a fantastic opportunity for anyone involved in leading walks who would like to learn how to offer even more benefit to their walks:
https://mailchi.mp/laterlifetraining/walkways-oct-2025?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMK-RJjbGNrAwr4_mV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeG5crssG0W52gvmBslsKEEMMFNJA9XEbW5j4rBKsUm64DMMKvUvN3WxGCjjQ_aem_0EIJegrFUGswB4l-sMoMsQ

Walk-ways to Strength and Balance aims to enhance existing walking activities and is designed for existing walk leaders and/or walking sports leaders. These modules provide learners with correct information enabling them to disseminate, reinforce and encourage independently active older adults to c...

08/08/2025

Weekly Yoga Sunday classes resume at the Speyside Centre:
9.30-10.30am Flow Yoga (suitable for those with some prior experience)
10.45-11.30am Level 1 Yoga (suitable for beginners, participants with medical conditions, and those who prefer a less intense class).
Please get in touch with any questions.
Booking essential: www.getsetfit.net/bookings