New program makes exercise a family affair

By Lynn Taylor Rick, Journal Staff Writer | Thursday, March 02, 2006

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RAPID CITY -- Corbin Hayford, 4-1/2, sits on a yoga mat beside his dad. His 3-month-old brother, Bailen, snoozes contentedly in a car seat near the door.

As Ruth Yellow Hawk leads her class through a series of gentle stretches, Corbin's parents, Lisa and Shawn of Rapid City, follow along, helping Corbin and keeping a watchful eye on their baby.

The Hayfords are part of the Fit Family class at the Rapid City YMCA, a new addition designed to give families an opportunity to be together, while also getting a little exercise.

Fit Family is the brainchild of Yellow Hawk, who conceived the class with her own son, 12-year-old Gabriel, in mind. "We kind of like hanging out together, and I often don't see him because he's at school all day ... I thought other families might feel the same way," she said. "I like the idea of spending time together."

Yellow Hawk pitched a family class to the YMCA and they liked the idea, adding the class to its Friday night schedule in January.

Yellow Hawk has participants who range in age from 3 months old to late 70s, which includes several grandparents who participate.

During the 90-minute Fit Family class, families get a chance to try out the YMCA's new Youth Wellness Center, play games together and do some meditation, Yellow Hawk said.

Yellow Hawk usually starts the classes with simple stretches, followed by light calisthenics. Yellow Hawk likes to keep the class as interactive as possible, often asking the kids to lead the warm-ups. Individual families are also invited to lead games or class activities. "We're still getting our feet wet, but I would like it to be more interactive, even having different families lead the class," she said.

After getting the muscles loose and warm, the class plays games or holds contests, such as a dancing contest which pits parents against the kids. "Part of it is just goofing off together," Yellow Hawk said.

After the games and warm-ups, the class heads into the Youth Wellness Center, where they can play the various games, ride a bike, walk on a treadmill or lift weights together.

Ed and Susan Egbert joined the class with their kids, 13-year-old Rebecca, 11-year-old Isaac and 9-year-old Joshua.

They love it and plan to sign up for the next session, Susan said.

"We do a lot of stuff individually at the Y," Ed said. "But this was something we could do as a family."

Lisa and Shawn Hayford also wanted something they could do together as a family and they're thrilled with the results. But the biggest fan of the class is Corbin. Lisa said he asks about the class, especially as Friday draws near. "He loves it," she said.

That's exactly what Yellow Hawk likes to hear. While she's adamant that she's no expert on fitness or family, she recognizes the issues that modern families face.

"I see the problems in our community with obesity and electronic stress," she said. "Why can't we get fit together?"

The next session of Fit Family at the YMCA begins Feb. 27. Fit Family costs $26 for members and $53 for non-members. Call 718-YMCA for more information.

Lynn Taylor Rick can be reached at lynn.taylorrick@rapidcityjournal.com or 394-8414.