Pam Carhill, head of the physical therapy department of the Commonwealth Health Center, yesterday extended an invitation to women of all ages who want to have better health.
Carhill, who was the guest speaker during yesterday’s Rotary Club meeting at the Hyatt, said the aqua exercise and rehabilitation program called Hinemlo’ta, which means “healing ourselves” was established on July 23, 2008.
Carhill said with the water exercises, members can lose weight without having to go through the pain of exercising.
“If we stay active everyday, we can cut the risk of diabetes and reduce obesity,” she said.
She added that they choose to conduct exercises in the water because for some, walking may be painful.
She said obese persons will not feel pain when exercising in water.
“There are even some individuals who are already out of breath walking from the parking lot to the pool,” she said.
Carhill said the group started last year with two volunteers and 12 members.
Now, there are 70 members doing regular exercises everyday in four swimming pools.
She said that the program has extended to Rota, which now has eight members. They are planning to start the program on Tinian soon.
Carhill said for now, the participants are all women but they may open another class for men.
She said the program, which will be turning one year next week, has been made possible through the support of the Diabetes Coalition, the Commonwealth Health Center and other institutions.
She said Coral Ocean Point and Palms Resort Saipan donated the free use of their pool for the program, while Aqua Resort Club and Fiesta Resort & Spa gave them big discounts.
“We are encouraging “big” individuals who want to have a healthy life to join us in the water exercises everyday,” she said.
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