Healthy Aging at the J
The Tucson J recognizes that elder adults comprise over 20% of the population in Tucson and adjacent communities. With one in five persons being over 65 years of age it is essential that health and wellness centers dedicate and focus on the needs of this population.
Mind + Body Elder Care Program
This program is designed for adults experiencing memory loss, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Parkinson's Exercise Wellness Program
This program is a monthly, flexible program designed to provide exercise and physical activity that reduces symptoms and improves quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson's Disease or Parkinsonism under the care of a physician.
BEST Protocol for Osteoporosis
BEST Protocol is the gold standard for improving bone health in women with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, as well as men experiencing bone loss. Learn to lift weights safely and build stronger, healthier bones and muscles.
Fall Proof: A Balance and Mobility Program
A program designed to improve balance and mobility in functional movement patterns and aiming to increase proficiency and independence in activities of daily living.
Mind + Body Elder Care Program
Our Mind + Body Elder Care Program is designed for adults experiencing memory loss, cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and dementia. The two components of physical and cognitive activities and exercises are individually suggested to be carried out in a 1:1 setting with a volunteer partner.
Participants are paired with volunteer partners to assist and guide the person through the activities. Individual needs and interests based on the required assessment will guide the selection of the activities.
Scholarships are available. Contact Marcia Berger, PT at mberger@tucsonjcc.org for more information.
Parkinson’s Exercise. Wellness Program
The Tucson J’s Parkinson’s Wellness Program is a monthly, flexible program designed to provide exercise and physical activity that reduces symptoms and improves quality of life for individuals living with Parkinson’s Disease or Parkinsonism under the care of a physician.
Upon enrollment, each participant will be contacted to schedule with a PD Trainer for an initial hour-long screening. Required forms will be provided in advance. After the screening, participants have access to unlimited weekly classes including: Cycling; Functional Mobility; and Dance. These classes align with the Parkinson’s Exercise Recommendations.
Non-refundable $50 Screening Fee. Program fee of $60 (member + guest) will be billed monthly on the 1st of each month; 30-day written notice is required to withdraw. The fees listed above reflect a 50% subsidy provided by a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation.
Contact Amy Dowe at adowe@tucsonjcc.org for more information.
Meet the trainers
Rhina has been at the J since 1993 as a Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. With over 35 years in fitness and wellness, including working alongside healthcare providers, Rhina customizes programs to help clients of all fitness levels, improve strength, balance, mobility, and overall well-being.
She is a highly trained Functional Movement expert who guides her clients with proven methods and caring commitment to lifelong wellness. During her 18 years working with physical therapists, she gained invaluable experience to better serve clients dealing with movement disorders, including Parkinson’s.
Rhina loves teaching indoor cycling, dance, TRX classes, to name a few. Her positive and encouraging manner keeps clients inspired not to give up and keep moving forward.
She is an avid community volunteer, including Angel Charity for Children for the past 20 years. Rhina is an accomplished athlete having completed 52 marathons (Boston six times) and 41 half-marathons.
In 2015, Rhina was voted Top Instructor by Tucsonans and the Arizona Daily Star and received the JCAA Award for Excellence in Elder Rehab in 2018.
Certifications/Education:
- BS, and Master’s coursework Business/Public Health
- Functional Movement Specialist
- ACE, TRX, Schwinn & Matrix Cycling, CORE/Resist-a-Ball, Barre Above
- 18 years at Proactive Physical Therapy
- Co-owner of Summit Wellness Clinic
- 14 years at Canyon Ranch
- Director of Health and Safety Services, American Red cross
Mary Byrnes, Senior Fitness Specialist, has been part of the J community for more than 30 years. Decades of experience has given her the opportunity to work with thousands of active adults as they work to achieve their health and wellness goals. I have instructed many classes: body conditioning, aerobics, cycling, Body Pump, PACE (People with Arthritis Can Exercise) and Silver Sneakers.
In 2016 I became the first PWR certified instructor at the JCC, enabling us to offer this amazing program to our members. I love being part of the Parkinson’s services that The JCC is offering to the community.
Veronika Zinsmaier obtained her teaching degree in Sports and Fitness from The Gym Sports & Dance Academy KNS at the Technical University of Munich, Germany. Veronika has been working for the JCC since 2004 and is a certified Personal Trainer through the American Council on Exercise (ACE), a Silver Sneakers Fitness Instructor, a Senior Fitness Specialist, and a certified TRX Suspension Instructor.
Veronika has been teaching fitness for over 40 years and enjoys the excitement of an exercise session and the camaraderie of her attendees. Veronika has extensive experience in training older adults and believes workouts should be fun and improve fitness and health. She will steadily guide you to achieve your fitness goal by developing safe, effective, and fun workouts that are personalized to your needs and modified for each session. When she is not at the JCC, she enjoys playing the Cello, going to Concerts and Dance performances, swimming long laps, or cycling in the desert.
Parkinson’s Program Class Descriptions:
Functional mobility and exercise for PD and aging adults:
Using movement and light weights to challenge strength, balance and coordination combating rigidity and stiffness to improve agility for activities of daily living.
Dance Movement:
This movement class to music will work to strengthen and stretch muscles and focus on balance and rhythm. Explore your range of physical and creative possibilities.
Cycling:
In this class you will have the opportunity to increase certain proteins in the brain that help with he movement and cognitive function making cycling one of the most beneficial activities for those with Parkinson’s. Cycling can improve overall motor function, reduce tremors, bradykinesia and rigidity as well as improve aerobic capacity, mood, joy and social connections.
This program is supported by a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation.
BEST Protocol for Osteoporosis
The BEST program, designed by Scientists at the University of Arizona, is the gold standard for improving bone health in women with Osteopenia or Osteoporosis, as well as men experiencing bone loss. Learn to lift weights safely and build stronger, healthier bones and muscles.
Fall Proof: A Balance and Mobility Program
Tucson J’s Fall Proof: A Balance and Mobility Program is a six-week, twice per week small-group personal training program for older adults seeking to improve their balance and mobility in functional movement patterns and aiming to increase their proficiency and independence in activities of daily living.
Upon enrollment, each participant will be contacted to schedule a free functional screening with Alyse Hergenrother, Certified Personal Trainer and Functional Aging Specialist, in order to determine their appropriate group level. Pending the results of the screening, individuals will either meet weekly on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 12:15-1:00pm or 1:15-2:00pm.