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Camillus House News
A gift of fun and relaxation
March 5, 2009
by Veronica Montali
Brenda instructs Ondra on proper form during this exercise.
A native Floridian offers stress-free break to Camillus clients.
Stress and tragedy have touched her life. Addiction hit someone very dear to her heart and the journey to recovery is very familiar. But she has found the strength to do something about it and keep moving on. Literally.
“Everyone, touch your belly button,” instructs the svelte and smiling lady to the 12 men and women standing in a circle around her. Brenda Abowitz has arrived on time as usual and unpacked three bags full of personal fitness equipment. She quickly demonstrates each and encourages her students to try them.
For those who have lived in the streets, the promise of relaxation is a mystery. And so they had come to taste it on this Saturday afternoon. The men and women gathered in the community room at Somerville Residence are clients of Camillus House who responded to a “Yoga and Exercise” ad placed by the Activity Coordinator.
Twice a month, Brenda volunteers her time to bring a lifetime of fitness training experience at private clubs to the men and women of Camillus’ housing and recovery programs.
The music has yet to fill the room, but the relaxation experience has already begun. The men and women, between the ages of 25 and 50, are free to move around or just sit and watch from the sidelines, as some do. Brenda takes time to walk up to each one to chat. She asks about the state of their bodies and listens to their stories about strokes, injuries, sciatica and the sluggishness and pains of being overweight.
The entire group is benefiting from this important bi-monthly program.“She’s wonderful. She has presence and she’s really dedicated,” says Camillus House Coordinator Clifford Petit-Homme. “The combination of yoga and exercise in a different environment where they can meet new people is very beneficial.”
There’s a woman with a bad back. Brenda shows her how to place a soft balance ball on her back and gently push it up and down against a wall. The woman’s face lightens up. There’s Eduardo who is back for a second class. He and another young man show off their fit bodies engaging in a friendly mano a mano.
Brenda wants to bring home a message of wellness. “Everyone needs a chance to connect with their physical body and take time to incorporate simple exercises to their routines. Even if it’s just seconds. You don’t need a gym or trendy equipment,” she points out to the class.
Brenda works with Heath on the soft balance ball.“The fitness program was initiated by Brenda who got involved with Camillus House through a friend. Moved by a personal goal to “help and have a good time,” Brenda suggested offering Camillus House clients an opportunity for stress relief and socialization.
For the next hour, Brenda guides the group through the typical structure of a fitness program: start with stretching, get to the cardio, raise the heartbeat into high gear and then begin a final relaxation phase before going back to face the world.
“I have to get them to a place where they can relax and enjoy their moment. They are in transition; they need a moment of fun to feel themselves out,” Brenda explains. For Brenda, those who are in the journey of recovery need to sync their bodies with their minds and hearts.
The men and women are comfortably laying on their backs now. Some have fallen in a deep sleep. Over hearing the interview, one of them hollers, “Its food for your soul!” Eyes closed but awake, they are smiling.
