Wellness Center

Feel Great at Pohai Nani!

Recent research clearly demonstrates that with moderate activity older adults may recover lost muscle mass! Pohai Nani has taken this powerful information and put it to work in a dynamic wellness program.

The Pohai Nani wellness program was designed to challenge adults physically, mentally and spiritually. The purpose behind this is to empower residents to function at their optimum levels and feel great!

Gerontologist John Rude notes, "The #1 fear of older adults is losing their independence. Conversely, their #1 goal is to preserve their autonomy."

Pohai Nani's Fitness & Wellness Program

Pohai Nani has an exciting program based on prevention and wellness principles that teach personal responsibility, behavior modification and successful aging - all vital ingredients for enhancing quality of life.

Under the professional leadership of Jackie Adams, residents at Pohai Nani have the opportunity to engage in a variety of enjoyable group and individual fitness programs that may improve strength, flexibility and endurance. Residents may choose from both land and water based programs. Most classes meet two to three times weekly and residents may enroll in as many classes as they desire.

Getting Started

After obtaining a physician's approval, Pohai Nani conducts a functional assessment on each resident to discover strengths and weaknesses. This information is then logged and used for re-testing every quarter thereafter. This gives each participant specific information on their progress.

Recent assessments at Pohai Nani have shown that in as little as three (3) months, participants increased their lower body strength 40% on average and improved their balance 65%! Several residents achieved extraordinary results by increasing their strength, balance and flexibility more than 200%!

Pohai Nani residents don't do this to look good, they do it to feel good and function better. Take Stevie Clifford for example. She recently returned from a rigorous fishing trip in Alaska where she was able to handle all the physical challenges of travel, airports and fishing in rough seas. She took this trip because she had the confidence in her own strength and abilities to fully participate and perform the expected tasks.

Meet Pohai Nani's Director of Wellness

Jackie Adams, Wellness Director comes to Pohai Nani with exceptional training and skills. Jackie has a B.S. degree in Exercise Physiology and a Masters in Exercise Science. Before coming to Pohai Nani, Jackie was the General Manager
and an Exercise Physiologist for Thomas Hospital in Fairhope, Alabama for eight years. In addition to her education and
experience, she is also participating on the International Council on Active Aging.

Jackie has a passion for working with mature adults and works hard to make exercise fun and social.

We invite you to meet and get acquainted with Jackie soon. She will
support you in getting started and help you reach your health and well-being goals.

Fitness & Wellness Classes at Pohai Nani

Here is a sampling of our current class offerings:

Strength/Balance & Stretch - 1:30 p.m. - Monday & Wednesday
This is a seated and standing class that utilizes hand weights and leg weights to increase upper and lower body strength.
A variety of activities are incorporated to promote better balance, endurance, and flexibility.

Total Body Fitness - 1:30 p.m. - Tuesday & Thursday
This class is for the more physically fit older adult. The majority of exercises are done while standing and focus on
strength, balance, coordination, cardio endurance and flexibility. Hand weights and leg weights are utilized in this class.

A.M. Exercise - 8:30 a.m. - Mon/Wed/Fri Rise and shine with Pohai Nani
resident Joan Kong as she leads you through a series of very gentle chair
exercises..

Miracles through Movement - 10:30 a.m. - Tues/Thurs
This class is mostly seated and uses a variety of fun activities. Gentle movements are emphasized to increase joint flexibility, endurance and strength. This class is a nationally recognized exercise program of the Arthritis Foundation.

Water Fitness - 8:45 a.m. - Mon-Fri; 10:00 a.m. - Mon/Wed/Fri; 3:15 p.m. - Mon-Thurs
The water exercise classes are conducted in the deep water with the use of the "Aqua Jogger" water exercise buoyancy belt. The resistance of the water is used to increase strength and endurance while providing a no-impact deep water workout. Participants do not need to know how to swim, ears and
head will not even get wet! (Unless it is raining) The pool is heated to 86-89 degrees to keep you warm during your water exercise.

Tai Chi - Spirit through Movement - 9:00 a.m. - Tues/Thurs
Conducted both seated and standing, our basic class embraces the philosophy and spirit of Tai Chi.
With continued practice, participants will increase lower body strength, improve balance and concentration while relieving stress through the gentle rhythmic movements of Tai Chi. Instructor, Ken Leonard comes to Pohai Nani with over 28 years of Tai Chi experience.

Gentle Yoga - 10:00 a.m. - Mon - Level I & Fri - Level II
This class features a variety of floor and seated exercises that will help relieve stiffness, strengthen your back, legs and hips, improve balance, flexibility and overall functional ability. Experience how stretching with Yoga can "Rejuvenate" the body, mind and soul. Instructor Helen Nakano creates the ideal
learning environment that is relaxing as well as invigorating. Mats are provided.

Kaiser Permanente Senior Summit Lecture Series - 10:00 a.m. - Every 2nd Monday (except holidays)
This lecture series is open to the public and topics address healthy aging. Please call Sandi Brekke, Kaiser Permanente Healthy Living Coordinator at 432-2675 or Jackie Adams, Pohai Nani Wellness Program Director at 247-6211 ext.1107 for monthly venue and registration.

Tops Club Inc. - Take off Pounds Sensibly Program - 9:00-10:00 a.m. - Wednesday
Measure success with pounds lost, inches reduced, control gained, and improved health by joining T.O.P.S. This nationally recognized weight reduction program is your ticket to successful lifetime weight loss. For more information contact Sharon Moran, Program Director at 277-2549