Finding Hope Through a Matter of Balance
Participants in a free 8-class Matter of Balance series come expecting to learn how to reduce the risk of falling and maintain active lives.
But they often finish the program with increased choices, new connections and renewed courage.
“I gained so much more than just a better sense of balance,” says Sheryl.
She and her friend Nancy W. joined the fall 2025 Matter of Balance series amid concerns they might lose their balance, fall and get hurt.
Class conversations showed both women how they can make lots of choices to keep themselves safe – rearrange storage areas to eliminate the need for stepstools, keep moving with exercise and daily activities to strengthen muscles and gain stability, practice how to get up with – or without assistance – when they do stumble.
The class led by trained coaches under the direction of the Portage Zhang Senior Center also helps participants build connections.
A few people from the July 2024 Matter of Balance series still meet for lunch. Some participants from a fall 2024 series held at Royal Estates continue meeting weekly to exercise together. And several individuals who attended the class met “neighbors” who live within a few miles of them for the first time.
“I decided to take the class after I fell,” says Nancy L. “I wanted to build strength and endurance, so it didn’t happen again. But I learned so many things and made so many connections.”
Since graduating the fall 2025 Matter of Balance series Nancy L. and Rena both now regularly attend cooking classes and other programs at Christian Neighbors.
Rena even tried her hand at making watercolor notecards as part of a holiday budget and gifts class, creating intricate flowers in bright colors and sharing ideas on how to take charge of her holiday spending.
