Now she's laughing!

Tessa Whiteman laughed during an exercise session for the first time when she joined the Way2Go NIA class in Golden Bay. Tutor, Lynn Udell describes NIA as, ‘music medicine for the body and soul.'  It works on agility, stability, flexibility, strength and mobility rather than cardio, and the movements encompass martial arts, yoga and the Alexander Technique.

Sixty-six year old, Tessa Whiteman has high blood pressure and a condition that means her foot muscles doesn't always receive the messages her brain sends them.

Tessa began taking NIA classes and found the non-impact aerobic sessions improved her muscle tone, core strength and general fitness.  She says now her joints are working better and her balance has also improved.

"I have a better sense of well being and am much happier about being 66 - I've also learnt to know where my feet are, too!"

NIA has made a huge difference to Tessa's life  - her confidence is up, physical activity is much easier, and her foot problems have vastly improved.

Now she leaves classes lighter and brighter, and has even taken up Nordic Walking using sticks.

Music to their ears...and bodies.

Just because you live in a small community your exercise options are not necessarily limited, as Lisa Sheppard and Richard Molloy found out when they moved to Golden Bay. Lisa used to go to a gym regularly in Wellington, but she was worried there wouldn't be any exercise programmes available in the Bay that fitted in around parenting and running a business. However, Lisa and Richard both found Way2Go Exercise to Music classes were just the ticket.

As commercial pilots, they spend a lot of time sitting down, and Lisa had some postnatal problems with her back. She'd also developed OOS, Occupational Overuse Syndrome from spending a lot of time at the computer.

Lisa says the Exercise to Music programme works for them because the sessions are at a good time, there's childcare on site, and the tutor is aware of their needs.

"All the muscle groups that had lost strength are working again now - and my back condition is under control, which is really important for my work," Lisa says.

Before she started the Way2Go programme Lisa felt unhealthy, unfit and tired all the time - now she feels infinitely better: "I can work at a pace that suits me, and because there's a really caring atmosphere, I don't feel any pressure to compete, like you do at some of the high profile classes."

Richard has greater body awareness, his co-ordination has improved and so has his posture and strength: "I have much better core stability and feel fitter than I have for years."