Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:03):
Welcome to the Wellness and Healthy Lifestyle show on your
VOCM Now, here's your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to the show. I'm your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Today we're diving into a topic that impacts almost all
of us, aging well and staying active. Too often, as
we get older, we hear messages to slow down, to
take it easy, or even stop doing the things we love,
but science tells a different story. Exercise becomes even more
important with age, not less. Moving keeps our joint supple,
(00:36):
strengthens the small, stabilizing muscles that prevent falls, and even
eases pain through gentle activity. On the brain side, exercise
builds new neural pathways and improves memory and focus, and
helps coordination and on an emotional level, it's one of
the best antidotes to loneliness and isolation, helping us stay connected, competent,
and purposeful. Joining me today is Elaine Dumpy, the founder
(00:58):
of Ageless, Grace on the Rock and NIA on the Rock.
She's dedicated her work to helping seniors.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Find joy and movement, whether it's through.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Chair based exercises, music, or playful community classes. Together, we'll
explore helper approach Blend's science with fun and why it's
never too late to start moving. There's a lot to cover,
so let's get to it.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Elade, Welcome to the show.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
This is great. We've been meeting to chat for a
little while. This is a topic that I've taken a
really keen interest in. I think that longevity aging properly
is something that's really important to folks. But for our
listeners that may not know you, can you give us
a little bit of background on yourself?
Speaker 5 (01:38):
Absolutely so. My name is Elaine Dunfee. I live in Paradise, Newfoundland, Canada,
a little piece of heaven on Earth, and I run
Ageless Grace on the Rock and Nia on the Rock,
and both of them are primarily about helping people find
some joy through movement.
Speaker 6 (01:53):
Yeah, that's important. I think that movement at any age
is really important. But as we start to age, I
think that we're to off and told to slow down.
We shouldn't be doing that anymore. You should be careful
as you get older. But I don't necessarily agree with that.
I think we have a lotify things. Why is it
so important for seniors in particular to keep moving as
we get older.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Well, goodness, Yeah, I'm all about we need to keep
our joint supple. We need to just do things that
feed our spirit, and so maybe we need to change
things a little bit, not you know, heavy exercise at
the gym, but find the thing that lights us up
and has us moving, gets a little cardio in. Those
are the keys, I think. And then doing it in community,
(02:34):
that's the other bonus that I find works really well.
Speaker 6 (02:37):
Yeah, I think that we definitely when it comes to
our community.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
That's one of the things we tend.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
To have access to here and ironically, a lot of
the places in the world where people live exceptionally long
lives our islands and isolated and they have that sense
of community, which I think is really important. The other
thing that happens is we get older, sometimes our joint
stuff up. Yes, we have soft tissue injuries, but our
brain can also age and I think it's like any
other muscle in a lot of ways that you know,
we have to exercise it. How can movement make a
(03:04):
difference when it comes to our brain function.
Speaker 5 (03:08):
I think the biggest thing is as we get older,
we do things in a way that is we're like
creatures of comfort. So we brush our teeth with the
same hand we comb our hair. Everything that we do
becomes this routine. And so for a new neural pathway
to fire, do something a little different. Brush your teeth
with your other hand, comb your hair differently. You know,
(03:29):
things that you do in the morning for your breakfast,
do it in a different order so that your brain says, okay,
what are we doing now, and then that's when that
new spark happens. So that's what I try and do
in my classes.
Speaker 6 (03:41):
So these neural pathways explain to me how does challenging
our brain in different ways actually exercise it.
Speaker 5 (03:49):
It does, and so for me in a class, trying
to gauge everyone's activity level is tough. And so if
you do a simple If I do a simple movement
with crossing over the body, left brain, right brain, so
that you connect right foot, left arm, and so it
becomes fun. People are laughing because they can't do it.
(04:10):
But what you're doing is that crossing over, and that's
where the benefit comes in. And so that's the beauty
of this whole program and that's why I like it
and I love to watch how people play with it.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Let's get into that.
Speaker 6 (04:25):
I mean you know, tell me about what your program
is and how you use movement to help individuals as
they as they age.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
Sure thing. So Ageless Grace is a brain health fitness
program that started over twelve years ago by a woman
named Denise Medved and it was her whole idea to
sort of take care of what kind of brain exercises
do we need to do to engage ways of firing
new neural pathways. And so every one of these twenty
(04:55):
one exercise tools stimulate the five main functions of the
And there's a really cool acronym that's smeck, and we
like to say that that's the sound of a new
neural pathway firing. And so SMEC stands for strategic planning,
memory and recall, analytical thinking, creativity and imagination and kinesthetic learning.
(05:17):
So there's no test at the end, I always tell
my people, but every one of the tools and then
the songs that we play engage of those functions.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (05:26):
So that's that's the difference I suppose is that as
opposed to just movement, you guys are choosing the movement
the prescription you're doing based on science and based on
the fact that you're trying to activate things in different ways.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Can you give me a few examples of like how
you do that.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
You just mentioned music for example, and you mentioned certain movements,
and why isn't all movements all exercise the same?
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I think the difference with this one is it's done
in a chair, and so the benefit of that is
it makes it accessible for anyone. So I have a
lot of seniors that come to class in their walkers,
and so it doesn't limit them. And we're mimicking moves
in a chair that we would normally be doing standing up.
So right away you're engaging another pathway. Say, as an example,
(06:11):
we were playing on the tool is called team fit,
and so we're going to mimic that. We're going to
be a softball player, and so you'll put the bat
in your hand, and even if you weren't a softball player,
you know basically what you're going to do. So you've
got to do that in the chair. So you've got
to connect all those dots and then we switch it
over to the other side and then try and hit
(06:33):
from this side. So we all have a dominant hand,
a dominant way that we move, and then the minute
that you cross over, your brain says, wait, now I
have to do what. So it's kind of fun to
watch people because you know, we're all well, some people
are perfectionists and they want to be really good at
it and they're not.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
So when we look at exercises like this, we look
at these things that are activating the brain, that are
activating movements.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
How does it work? Why is it so beneficial for people?
Speaker 6 (07:03):
I mean, when we move our muscles, they obviously adapt
to exercise.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
But what's specific about how.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
Movement in particular this audience makes a difference for their
long term health.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
I think it is all to do with engage in
the brain, and so it's a little different when it
comes to crossing over and left brain, right brain, and
how we play with that and how our body plays
with it and the dominance of one hand versus the
other and then you switch and that's where the movement
(07:36):
and so that's where the benefit is for me. That's
where it differentiates itself. I guess from traditional movement.
Speaker 6 (07:43):
It with somebody who has mobility challenges. They come in
and they're able to be in a chair. Some people
may think, well, that can't be enough to be able
to elicit a change in people to be able to
get them stronger. Why is that sufficient for some people
to be able to regain function, mobility, the ability to
do activities of daily living.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
Absolutely, And I also think though that it's it's an
old wives tale that just because we're in a chair,
it's like, oh, I've got to do the old people
exercise now, that's where I'm headed, And it's the opposite
of the truth. It gives more accessibility to people that think,
oh goodness, I won't be able to take part in
traditional exercise now because I'm in a walker or because
(08:25):
I use, you know, a crutch. So in a chair,
we're all at the same playing level. And the benefit
is trying to mimic things that we would normally do
standing up. And I think that that's where the uniqueness
comes in. And you also have the ability to make
sure that you're secure in your chair. You know, it's
(08:47):
a safety issue. You're not going to fall, Yeah, totally.
Speaker 6 (08:50):
And there's things you can probably do on your own
as well, because everybody has a chair to be able
to do some do your homework, I suppose when they're
not necessarily with you. Guys, you mentioned twenty one different
everyday movements. Can you give me some examples of what
these types of movements are?
Speaker 5 (09:06):
Absolutely, and so where to start. Sometimes when I'm introducing
a class, I'll say, well, speed date it so you
can get a little taste of everything. So I like
to pull some of my favorite ones, like gentle geometry
as an example. And so if you can picture this,
you're doing a circle with one hand, and then you
give your body a moment to sort of get into that,
(09:28):
and then with your left foot, while you keep your
circle going, you're going to draw a triangle on the floor.
And so even if this is a brand new class,
people are like, you want me to do what now?
And so people are giggling, and I'm like, don't look
at me. Don't just do what I say. Don't do
what I do, because I got two triangles going, and
it's a great ice breaker. And you're always going to
(09:50):
get the perfectionist in the class who wants to be like, oh,
I'm nailing this. It's like, that's not the purpose. And
if I see them all getting it, then I'll say
so with your opposite hand, then do a chop cut.
So then there's no way that So it's and I
always tell them that I'm going to take a Facebook
profile picture of them.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
In that moment, I'm speaking with Elane Dumphy about how
movement helps keep our bodies strong, our brains sharp, and
our spirits.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
Lifted as we age.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
We come back, we'll dive into some of the unique
exercises she teaches and why they're so effective.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Welcome back.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I'm here with Elane Dumphy.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Let's pick up where we left off and explore how simple,
fun movements can make a lasting difference for senior's health
and well being.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
That's great, and what are some of the activities you
can do?
Speaker 6 (10:42):
So you've got these type of movement patterns where one
side is doing one thing upper body and then the
lower body's doing something completely different. Or what are the
types of movements are you guys do it?
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Well, there's a bunch of them. There's another one called
spaghetti spine. And so as we age, there are so
many people who have lower back pain and things like that.
So bringing in the opportunity to connect with your spine,
we tend to age and roll forward, and so for
that little bit of time to stay straighten up and
try and think of your pelvis, chest and head stacked
(11:14):
on top of each other, and the movements don't have
to be large. One thing I do find with seniors
is they want to tell me I've got a bad
back or a bad neck or a bad whatever. And
if I say, oh, we're going to exercise our spine,
They're going to be like no. So when I introduce it,
like think about your tailbone, draw your name with your
(11:35):
tailbone on the chair. So everyone is giggling, but what
they're doing is undulating their spine, right.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
I love that. Yeah, it's funny.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
There's a lot of the consider the kinesthetic aspect of
I'm a kinesiologists, so understanding this, and it's funny you're
talking about the right and the left brain and the
coordination coming in. I used to give stretches to people
in the offshore and there was one gentleman who had
real lot of trouble taking his elbow from his left
elbow hitting on his right knee and vice versa. And
I remember always had trouble with this move and he
(12:05):
couldn't coordinate. And then one day I went off shore
to change the stretches and he came up to be
a show, but you can do it. I didn't have
the heart to change the stretches that time, so I
did it the following month. So I wanted to let
him have a victory lab for a little while. But
you mentioned some things. Coordination obviously super important. Somebody who
isn't coordinated, they could fall. You know, hip fracture is
a huge issue for seniors. You talked about the spine
(12:26):
at bad back. What are some of the other things
you guys are trying to address when it comes to
the like sort of preventable or at least amendable conditions
that we're seeing in some of our older population.
Speaker 5 (12:36):
Great question, Like balancing is a thing, and so we
spend a lot of time feeling grounded, sensing our heel
versus our toe, and playing with the sides of our feet.
And I give them practical advice, like, Okay, you're headed
out into an icy walkway, lead with your heel. So
(12:56):
if you lead with your heel and you have your
full body behind you, you've got something to go with
Versus I'm timid and I'm going to touch my toe,
then you're going over.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
I guess some other things I'm wondering about is small
muscles start to deteriorate as we don't use them right.
Sometimes it's not the big muscles that are the strong
ones that are doing things. There's the little muscles that
help control our joints and also the things. Do you
guys do any work for those deep stabilizer muscles.
Speaker 5 (13:21):
We do, I guess maybe not quite answering the question,
but we do a lot of movements with our fingers,
so each of the joints, and so speaking to arthritic
joints and the realization that you know, arthritis can live
there and it doesn't mean that you can't move it.
And so as an example, my mom is eighty four
(13:43):
and I've seen a huge difference in her mobility in
her hands, and they are from simple movements that they
can do at home. And I always say, love on
each of the joints, don't be judging if one is
a little you know, like check in. And then then
we play with opposite. So we do thumb and index
finger on one side and thumb and pinky on the other,
(14:04):
and then I tell them to go through and try
not to touch on the same fingers. So it's all
the things.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 6 (14:10):
I think that's really important. Yeah, you're definitely hitting out
a lot of the things that I've seen before. I
was in Okinawa one time and I saw Cheritch sizes
lid by a physio where they had different people ranging
from you know, sixty five to one hundred and five
in the room, and they had.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
That social aspect to it too.
Speaker 6 (14:28):
And I think that when it comes to our strength,
if somebody's not able to be able to do those
activities in daily living, how does that impact their life?
Speaker 2 (14:37):
If they're not strong enough to be able to do
the things that they once did.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
I think it leads to this feeling of isolation that
they can't do all the community things, or it holds
them back from trying. So I think more programs like
this that are available, And then I think the onus
is on me to say, look, come and try a class.
And if you do nothing else but sit and listen
to the music, you'll be immersed in community. You'll be
(15:04):
out of your house, you'll get out of your head
for a little while. And I think that's one of
the biggest things. It's like, make people feel welcome no
matter what.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
Yeah, there's so many benefits just being around other people
and also not only being around with the people, but
having accomplishment around other people than supporting you as you're
going through something that's challenging. There's also a lot of
research thats out there these days showing that if you're
hurt or you're injury, you have some arthritis or creaky
joints and you're not feeling great, by moving, you actually
get a bit of an anesthetic effect from the movement itself.
(15:34):
And so often we think, oh, it doesn't feel good,
I shouldn't move it. But do you necessarily agree with
that philosophy or do you think there is some benefit to.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Moving When it comes to Paiterlely.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
I think there's a huge benefit to it. And one
of the things that I say is think about I'm
healing my joint or I'm healing my injury versus I
think it's old school to say, oh my goodness, go
to bed, don't move, don't do anything. So you know,
it's a cliche, but motion is lotion, so you've got
to move it. I have one student who came to
(16:06):
me and she said, my shoulders hate me, and I said,
oh my goodness, Okay, can we change the conversation there
and talk about I'm healing my shoulders. I said, your body,
it's listening to everything that you say to it. So
let's send it the clear message like, hay, shoulders, I'm
checking in and we're going to do things gently, but
you're going to move the way you used to move hopefully.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (16:28):
Yeah, exactly, and you're going to adjust as we as
we go through the inevitable process of aging. That's for
individuals that might have something that can improve, or maybe
is been sedentary for a while, it's kind of locking
up and need some strengthening. In some cases though, there's
conditions that we really can't do much about. Okay, Parkinson's
for example, and dementia, and you've recently done some training
(16:50):
in those areas specifically, how do you address the challenges
that are so unique? And maybe we'll start with Parkinson's
in that population. I did a lot of extra scize
therapy with parking this patient. So I'm really curious to
pick your brain on this one.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
Well, I have one star student and he's fifty six
and came to my class wondering would he feel comfortable,
you know, would he be sort of ostracized. He's become
my new best friend and he's the only man in
my class and so all the women now because he's
been coming for over a year. And i'd love to
(17:26):
say I'm just going to say his first name, because
if he listens to this, then he'll know it's a
shout out to him. So his name is Gerald, and
he feels so welcomed. So I said to him, could
you tell me a little bit about why you feel
so welcomed? And he said, I know that I can
do what I can do, and there's no pressure on
(17:47):
me to do anything else. And he said, sometimes I
sit and listen. Sometimes I'll sing a little bit, like
we'll play a song Hallelujah, and every once in a
while I'll hear him belt out a little bit of
Hallelujah and he laughs at me. And a long time ago,
I said to him, why do you keep coming back? Gerald?
He said, because I like your show. And I said, well,
(18:08):
it's not a show, it's a class. And so we've
become friends and I just he goes to his neurologist,
and the neurologist says, whatever you're doing, keep doing it.
And I think the biggest compliment from all of it
was he told his daughter that when he leaves class,
he feels so good, he feels so welcome, and that
(18:30):
he forgets for that hour that he has Parkinson's.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
So nice. Yeah, and one thing about Parkinson's.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
We've done a couple of shows on Parkinson's because obviously
it's such a challenging condition for people, and exercise has
been shown to be so valuable for individuals like that,
but so often there's a barrier to even engaging in it.
So that's nice that you're able to do that. What
about folks with dementia, Because dementia is something that affects
a lot of people, it can be really challenging.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
How do you work with them?
Speaker 5 (18:59):
I have the privilege of working with them, and I
have learned so much. I had no idea that there
are over forty types of dementia. So we need to
be better at working in dementia care and keeping them
moving in order to be able to help that demographic.
And so I get to go in with them and
I'll use these little colored scarves and like I said earlier,
(19:21):
we'll do the cross body movements and then I will
tailor the playlist to their genre. So I've had the
pleasure of two students in my class at were one
hundred and three. So I'm picking old old music that
the minute that that music comes on, they're going to
tell you that they don't sing and they don't know
(19:41):
the words. And then the next thing, they're singing. And
I have walt with a couple of people in my
dementia care and oh, it is just so rewarding for
both of us. And yeah, I feel very fulfilled being
able to work in that community. And then there's sort
of a detachment because you have to go back in
(20:03):
there every time and they don't remember what they did.
So it's like every day is a new day and
I get to do this all over again, and I
love it.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
I'm speaking with Elane Dumphy about how movement helps keep
our bodies strong, our brains sharp, and our spirits lifted
as we age. We come back, we'll dive into some
of the unique exercises she teaches and why they're so effective.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Welcome back.
Speaker 4 (20:33):
I'm here with Elane Dumphy.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
Let's pick up where we left off and explore how simple,
fun movements can make a lasting difference for senior's health
and well being.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
Yeah, there's a lot of research coming out that's showing
the music and the recollection of it is just ingrained
in them and it's a way to be able to
trigger tho those memories that they thought were long gone,
which is that's a beautiful story when people commit and
they work with you, if you were to give the
typical changes you see in folks. Obviously we've talked about
a couple of different conditions that are a little bit
(21:03):
more specific. But what do you see when people start
to engage in activity for the first time, in particular
in a group setting for the first time.
Speaker 5 (21:13):
I think there's always a little hesitation, and then I
think it's also human nature that people are nervous that
they're not going to be good enough, which is so false.
And that one thing I do find that my seniors,
once you reach a certain level of maturity, I guess
it's like they really don't care, so they're all in.
They love to play, they love to laugh. So what
(21:35):
I see is that I've got to get my class
finished because these seniors are more active than anyone I know.
It's like Elaine, we got to finish because we're going
to lunch, and then you know, we've got another we
got bowling this afternoon. So what I love to see
is that these are really active seniors. And as we
look at the demographic in Newfoundland and Labrador, there's going
(21:57):
to be more of us, and so let's do the thing.
Let's have lots of programs so that everybody can age vibrantly.
That's my plan.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
Yeah, I would always again, I'll go back to Okanaw
and some of the blue zones I've been to.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
In Okinawa there.
Speaker 6 (22:11):
Was a programs similar to ours, and they were they
had a big draw. There are people from the town
there to make sure there's people in attendance. They would
do blood pressure beforehand, they would have tea afterwards of
little dance and they were all dressed up so nicely.
And I did a couple of blood pressure checks on
on some uh you know, eighty five year old women
whose blood pressure was completely normal by today's standards.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
And it was just wonderful to see.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
But let's talk about the community side of things, because
I do think that the world of wellness, at least
when I was first learning is now evolving, has been
so one dimensional on the physical and then it's expanded
to the mental side. Of course, both are wildly important,
but there are only two dimensions. How does confidence connection
and then also having purpose like waking up in the
(22:53):
morning and having something to go to impact these individuals.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
I think they look forward to the things that bring
them joy, and that's sort of my reason for being
in the world, I believe. So when I can bring
them together and we can laugh and sing and form
a new friendship. I'm really big on find someone that
you don't know and just say hello, because there's also
that little bit of intimidation that oh I don't know
(23:20):
anyone and I'm not good at introducing myself. So I
make it playful, like make eye contact with someone and
just say hi or give them a wave, and so
it creates that feeling of belonging right from the get go.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
So they want to come back, Yeah, I think so too.
And do they form their own communities? Do you see
them sort of developing new friend groups and I different
solities emerge within people that may not have had that
exposure to other folks I do.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
And through the course of you know, maybe a ten
week program as an example, people are a little shy
in the beginning or if I'm going into a brand
new home. They're tough nuts to crack sometimes. And what
I've learned is you also can't make assumptions that people
are not enjoying something because it could be the sternest
(24:11):
face or whatever in my brain says, oh, they really
can't wait for this to be finished, and they'll be
the person that'll come to me and give me a
hug and say that was so much fun. And so
I've learned a lot that way. It's like, don't think
you can get in people's heads, because you can't.
Speaker 6 (24:30):
Is there one movement or activity you do that's the
icebreaker that you see the barriers come down with folks.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
I do a lot of them, Like I'm silly. I've
been known to take a big beach ball to class,
and so if you want to engage your five year
old child, throw a beach ball around, and I've got
a twenty five foot parachute that I'll bring. And then
you know the little the squishballs, the little ones for
keeping your hands moving. I'll throw all those on the
(25:00):
top of the parachute and say, okay, don't let any
fall off. So by the time they're finished, their cardio
is up and they're having a lot of fun. I
have one song that I play at every single class
since I started teaching in twenty seventeen. That's called Joy,
and so I say to them when this refrain comes in,
(25:20):
I want you to say joy in your best opera voice.
And now we've started like, okay, everyone, we're going to
throw our joy at Mike. And so Mike gets like
everyone's attention and it's just infectious. It just keeps growing.
So it's like, oh my God, pick me.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
Yeah, yeah, I wonder You know, it must be hard
for you to take the first step to enjoin something
like this. In particular, when you look at different ages,
it might be easier for some generations to engage in
physical activities they grew up with it right, and other
groups didn't have gyms and things like that, there were
a standard in day to day life. What would be
(25:57):
your message to people that are listening, being like, the
sounds like it could help me. It sounds like something
i'd like, but I'm really uneasy about going and exposing
myself to it. I'm afraid I would enjoy it or
all those apprehensions we may have.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
I just say to them, just come if you make
the effort to come. There is zero pressure on you
to participate. And if you come and just listen to
the music, you're going to get the benefit of being
in community. Guaranteed you're going to either meet someone or
recognize someone that you know. I mean, we're Newfoundlanders, so
we're going to offend, improve and be like, oh my god, your.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
So and So's sister whatever.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
So there's always going to be sort of a social
connection that happens. And I have always given that invitation
and I have never had anyone not participate, at least
in some way.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
So that's good.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
And I think that you know, people are eager to
go to the doctor, they're eager to go to those
are places. But I think the movement is a form
of medicine. Do you share that philosophy too?
Speaker 5 (27:00):
One percent? One hundred percent. And like I said before
in the cliche that like it's just motion is lotion.
We have to move. We have to move, and it
can be gentle and it can be guarded, but we
have to move.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
I'm speaking with Elane Dumphy about how movement helps keep
our bodies strong, our brains sharp, and our spirits lifted
as we age we come back, we'll dive into some
of the unique exercises she teaches and why they're so effective.
Speaker 4 (27:28):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
As you're listening to what we broadcast of the Wellness
and Healthy Lifestyle Show with Doctor Mike Wall and listen
live Thursday nights at seven pm and Sunday's at four pm.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Welcome back, I'm here with Elane Dumphy. Let's pick up
where we left off and explore how simple fun movements
can make a lasting difference for senior's health and well being.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Let's get into some philosophy.
Speaker 6 (27:53):
Here, because I think it's important whenever we have an
expert talk to about health and aging particular, what do
you think like aging well or having health span?
Speaker 2 (28:04):
What does that actually mean to you personally? Like how
would you define that?
Speaker 5 (28:08):
I think for me, the whole aging vibrantly. I just
went to a seniors conference and that was their focus.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
It was the.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
Keynote speaker spoke about how do we help our seniors
to age vibrantly, and it was about empowering them their
voices and giving them opportunities to move and play. I
think for me, my job is to help seniors play
because really, as we age and life is serious and
there's so many things going on, we need that joyful
(28:40):
moment of laughter and silliness. That's where I think that's
where the magic is. It's like get back to that,
Like ask somebody what brings them joy, and a lot
of times it'll stop them in their tracks.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Well, it's so funny say that. I into a little
side story here. Now.
Speaker 6 (28:59):
I was in Norway looking at their outdoor lifestyle there
and I ended up meeting up with a friend of
mine who is a national level cross country skier. So
in Norway that's like being a Sydney Crosby in Canada
for hockey. And so I said to it myself, Guy,
my physiology brain starting to go and thinking about trading
athletes is like, so what's your training program? Like are
you periodizing? Are you following all these scientific principles? And
(29:20):
he's looked at me and he's like, man, I play,
I go outside, my dog comes, he's my pacer. So
if he's, you know, running fast, I got to try
and keep up with them. And it was this whole
idea of play. And because he enjoys it so much,
he trains all the time. Because he trains all the time.
He wins all the races because he's better. And I
think that there's this stage of life where we get
ultra serious. But maybe it's time once we get past
(29:40):
some of those responsibilities and we're at the golden years,
which is supposed to be some of the best of
our life.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Then we get back to that.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
How do you break that down in people when they've
been just told to be so serious their whole life.
Speaker 5 (29:53):
I think just to make a class like this available
and make sure that it's talked about enough that I
think word of mouth is the biggest thing. So then
you get a group of seniors that they play cards
and they're all sitting around the table, and then someone says, oh,
are you going to go to such and such a class?
And then that's when all of a sudden, it's like,
could I bring This is my sister, and I'd like
(30:15):
to invite my aunt. And I even have some of
my seniors. I love to call them my welderlies. My
welderlies will bring their grandchildren if they've got a visiting grandchild.
And so one of my ideas is, you know, I'm
fifty six. I have the beautiful benefit of my mom
being eighty four and in my class, all of the
(30:36):
conversations as adults, you know, with older parents that are
still alive, become about health or like I want it
to be about Remember used to have the old fashioned
like take your kid to work day. I want to
do the you know, take your adult child to movement class.
(30:57):
And can you imagine the interaction. So it's it's intergenerational,
but on another level, so that the fifty plus community
gets to see their aging parents having fun and doing
things that it's not all about, oh, watch your step
or whatever, like we need to have fun.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
Yeah, yeah, it's so funny.
Speaker 6 (31:16):
My mother was a physic teacher and went on to
other aspects of her career. But as an adult now,
as a senior, she is so wildly active and she
reads every new book on nutrition, exercise, everything else. And
she's constantly updating me with information and I love it.
And it did not come from me inspiring her whatsoever.
(31:36):
She was the one who lived beyond this path. And
it's so nice when you know they're at the stage
that they can take control of what is the most
important aspect of your life. I think that health is
valued until it's lost. I hope that's something that's ringing
through to people when they're listening here today. You know,
I've asked people all over the world this one question.
I think it's a great question to ask you, and
(31:58):
that is, what does the word health mean to you? Hm?
Speaker 5 (32:05):
Health to me means being in control of how I age,
and you know, with an opportunity to age well at
home as long as I can, and to listen to
my body and listen to the signs and feed it
well and speak to it well, and just generally take
(32:28):
care of it and own it. Like we get one body,
and so whatever happens with it, I'm going to listen
to it and be like, Okay, well maybe we might
like to try this thing. So that I think that's
my philosophy. Try all the things, keep trying all the things.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
Yeah, And I think that brings me to my last thing.
The point I want to make is that when you
look at what you're doing right.
Speaker 6 (32:49):
Now with people, you're doing exercise, you're doing mental health
because you're helping with loneliness and sense of connection. But
you're also on the neural level, you're helping coordinate the
body that they can.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Do different activities.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Why Why is it important for people if they have
limited time or even limited ability at the stage, to
find things that are fun but are still based in
science that allow people to engage all these things to
get the most bang for their buck. I suppose when
it comes to what they're doing, I feel like if
you do the wrong things sometimes it can just be
a deterrent to ever do something again.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
But doing something that's effective.
Speaker 6 (33:25):
But also is enjoyable, you know, are you is that
one of your goals is to try and bring all
those things into one so they get the most out of.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
It one hundred percent.
Speaker 5 (33:35):
So they're going to keep coming back to a class
that I offer if they know that there's zero pressure,
that they can stay in their chair that we always
set up usually in a circle, and so there's that
community connection. Yeah. I think it's just to make them
feel welcome, Like, let's create places where our seniors feel
(33:59):
accept did and that they have an opportunity to thrive.
I think that that's the goal, or it is my
goal for sure, to make sure that people feel welcome
and that this you know, it's like the old fashioned
mom thing. Take it it's good for you.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Because it's good for you yeah, it is all right.
Speaker 6 (34:15):
Well, if people wanted to get a hold of you,
if they were interested in finding out more of your program,
how did they reach you.
Speaker 5 (34:22):
I'm on social media as Nia on the Rock and
Ageless Grace on the Rock and on Instagram as Nia
on the Rock and then come try a class.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Yeah, fantastic.
Speaker 6 (34:32):
I really appreciate you taking the time and sharing it.
I think I agree with with everything you're saying. I
think it's a fantastic initiative and I think as much
gained in our community.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
So thank you for everything you're doing.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Oh thank you for the opportunity, lovely to chat with you.
Speaker 3 (34:47):
Well that brings me to the end of today's episode.
We've learned from a Lane that exercise is so much
more than physical activity. It's medicine for our body, training
for our brain, and a remedy for loneliness. As we age,
movement becomes one of the most powerful tools have to
maintain our independence, prevent injury, and keep our minds sharp.
Just as importantly, it creates joy, It builds community, and
(35:07):
gives us the confidence to keep living fully. So if
you've been hesitating to get started, remember this. It's never
too late and even small, gentle movements can have a
big impact. Elaine's work is a reminder that aging vibrantly
means choosing to move, love, and play, no matter where
you're starting from. So big thank you to Elaine Dumphy
for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more,
(35:27):
you can find her online on Naya on the Rock
and Ageless Grace on the Rock. That's our show this week.
I'm your host, doctor Mike Wall. We'll see you back
here next week for another episode of The Weldson Healthy
Lifestyle Show on the sting Ray Podcast Network and your
vocm
Welcome to the Wellness and Healthy Lifestyle show on your
VOCM Now, here's your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 2 (00:13):
Welcome to the show. I'm your host, Doctor Mike Wall.
Speaker 3 (00:15):
Today we're diving into a topic that impacts almost all
of us, aging well and staying active. Too often, as
we get older, we hear messages to slow down, to
take it easy, or even stop doing the things we love,
but science tells a different story. Exercise becomes even more
important with age, not less. Moving keeps our joint supple,
(00:36):
strengthens the small, stabilizing muscles that prevent falls, and even
eases pain through gentle activity. On the brain side, exercise
builds new neural pathways and improves memory and focus, and
helps coordination and on an emotional level, it's one of
the best antidotes to loneliness and isolation, helping us stay connected, competent,
and purposeful. Joining me today is Elaine Dumpy, the founder
(00:58):
of Ageless, Grace on the Rock and NIA on the Rock.
She's dedicated her work to helping seniors.
Speaker 4 (01:03):
Find joy and movement, whether it's through.
Speaker 3 (01:04):
Chair based exercises, music, or playful community classes. Together, we'll
explore helper approach Blend's science with fun and why it's
never too late to start moving. There's a lot to cover,
so let's get to it.
Speaker 2 (01:19):
Elade, Welcome to the show.
Speaker 5 (01:21):
Thank you for having me.
Speaker 6 (01:22):
This is great. We've been meeting to chat for a
little while. This is a topic that I've taken a
really keen interest in. I think that longevity aging properly
is something that's really important to folks. But for our
listeners that may not know you, can you give us
a little bit of background on yourself?
Speaker 5 (01:38):
Absolutely so. My name is Elaine Dunfee. I live in Paradise, Newfoundland, Canada,
a little piece of heaven on Earth, and I run
Ageless Grace on the Rock and Nia on the Rock,
and both of them are primarily about helping people find
some joy through movement.
Speaker 6 (01:53):
Yeah, that's important. I think that movement at any age
is really important. But as we start to age, I
think that we're to off and told to slow down.
We shouldn't be doing that anymore. You should be careful
as you get older. But I don't necessarily agree with that.
I think we have a lotify things. Why is it
so important for seniors in particular to keep moving as
we get older.
Speaker 5 (02:13):
Well, goodness, Yeah, I'm all about we need to keep
our joint supple. We need to just do things that
feed our spirit, and so maybe we need to change
things a little bit, not you know, heavy exercise at
the gym, but find the thing that lights us up
and has us moving, gets a little cardio in. Those
are the keys, I think. And then doing it in community,
(02:34):
that's the other bonus that I find works really well.
Speaker 6 (02:37):
Yeah, I think that we definitely when it comes to
our community.
Speaker 2 (02:40):
That's one of the things we tend.
Speaker 6 (02:41):
To have access to here and ironically, a lot of
the places in the world where people live exceptionally long
lives our islands and isolated and they have that sense
of community, which I think is really important. The other
thing that happens is we get older, sometimes our joint
stuff up. Yes, we have soft tissue injuries, but our
brain can also age and I think it's like any
other muscle in a lot of ways that you know,
we have to exercise it. How can movement make a
(03:04):
difference when it comes to our brain function.
Speaker 5 (03:08):
I think the biggest thing is as we get older,
we do things in a way that is we're like
creatures of comfort. So we brush our teeth with the
same hand we comb our hair. Everything that we do
becomes this routine. And so for a new neural pathway
to fire, do something a little different. Brush your teeth
with your other hand, comb your hair differently. You know,
(03:29):
things that you do in the morning for your breakfast,
do it in a different order so that your brain says, okay,
what are we doing now, and then that's when that
new spark happens. So that's what I try and do
in my classes.
Speaker 6 (03:41):
So these neural pathways explain to me how does challenging
our brain in different ways actually exercise it.
Speaker 5 (03:49):
It does, and so for me in a class, trying
to gauge everyone's activity level is tough. And so if
you do a simple If I do a simple movement
with crossing over the body, left brain, right brain, so
that you connect right foot, left arm, and so it
becomes fun. People are laughing because they can't do it.
(04:10):
But what you're doing is that crossing over, and that's
where the benefit comes in. And so that's the beauty
of this whole program and that's why I like it
and I love to watch how people play with it.
Speaker 2 (04:24):
Let's get into that.
Speaker 6 (04:25):
I mean you know, tell me about what your program
is and how you use movement to help individuals as
they as they age.
Speaker 5 (04:33):
Sure thing. So Ageless Grace is a brain health fitness
program that started over twelve years ago by a woman
named Denise Medved and it was her whole idea to
sort of take care of what kind of brain exercises
do we need to do to engage ways of firing
new neural pathways. And so every one of these twenty
(04:55):
one exercise tools stimulate the five main functions of the
And there's a really cool acronym that's smeck, and we
like to say that that's the sound of a new
neural pathway firing. And so SMEC stands for strategic planning,
memory and recall, analytical thinking, creativity and imagination and kinesthetic learning.
(05:17):
So there's no test at the end, I always tell
my people, but every one of the tools and then
the songs that we play engage of those functions.
Speaker 2 (05:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (05:26):
So that's that's the difference I suppose is that as
opposed to just movement, you guys are choosing the movement
the prescription you're doing based on science and based on
the fact that you're trying to activate things in different ways.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Can you give me a few examples of like how
you do that.
Speaker 6 (05:40):
You just mentioned music for example, and you mentioned certain movements,
and why isn't all movements all exercise the same?
Speaker 5 (05:47):
I think the difference with this one is it's done
in a chair, and so the benefit of that is
it makes it accessible for anyone. So I have a
lot of seniors that come to class in their walkers,
and so it doesn't limit them. And we're mimicking moves
in a chair that we would normally be doing standing up.
So right away you're engaging another pathway. Say, as an example,
(06:11):
we were playing on the tool is called team fit,
and so we're going to mimic that. We're going to
be a softball player, and so you'll put the bat
in your hand, and even if you weren't a softball player,
you know basically what you're going to do. So you've
got to do that in the chair. So you've got
to connect all those dots and then we switch it
over to the other side and then try and hit
(06:33):
from this side. So we all have a dominant hand,
a dominant way that we move, and then the minute
that you cross over, your brain says, wait, now I
have to do what. So it's kind of fun to
watch people because you know, we're all well, some people
are perfectionists and they want to be really good at
it and they're not.
Speaker 6 (06:53):
So when we look at exercises like this, we look
at these things that are activating the brain, that are
activating movements.
Speaker 2 (06:59):
How does it work? Why is it so beneficial for people?
Speaker 6 (07:03):
I mean, when we move our muscles, they obviously adapt
to exercise.
Speaker 2 (07:07):
But what's specific about how.
Speaker 6 (07:10):
Movement in particular this audience makes a difference for their
long term health.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
I think it is all to do with engage in
the brain, and so it's a little different when it
comes to crossing over and left brain, right brain, and
how we play with that and how our body plays
with it and the dominance of one hand versus the
other and then you switch and that's where the movement
(07:36):
and so that's where the benefit is for me. That's
where it differentiates itself. I guess from traditional movement.
Speaker 6 (07:43):
It with somebody who has mobility challenges. They come in
and they're able to be in a chair. Some people
may think, well, that can't be enough to be able
to elicit a change in people to be able to
get them stronger. Why is that sufficient for some people
to be able to regain function, mobility, the ability to
do activities of daily living.
Speaker 5 (08:04):
Absolutely, And I also think though that it's it's an
old wives tale that just because we're in a chair,
it's like, oh, I've got to do the old people
exercise now, that's where I'm headed, And it's the opposite
of the truth. It gives more accessibility to people that think,
oh goodness, I won't be able to take part in
traditional exercise now because I'm in a walker or because
(08:25):
I use, you know, a crutch. So in a chair,
we're all at the same playing level. And the benefit
is trying to mimic things that we would normally do
standing up. And I think that that's where the uniqueness
comes in. And you also have the ability to make
sure that you're secure in your chair. You know, it's
(08:47):
a safety issue. You're not going to fall, Yeah, totally.
Speaker 6 (08:50):
And there's things you can probably do on your own
as well, because everybody has a chair to be able
to do some do your homework, I suppose when they're
not necessarily with you. Guys, you mentioned twenty one different
everyday movements. Can you give me some examples of what
these types of movements are?
Speaker 5 (09:06):
Absolutely, and so where to start. Sometimes when I'm introducing
a class, I'll say, well, speed date it so you
can get a little taste of everything. So I like
to pull some of my favorite ones, like gentle geometry
as an example. And so if you can picture this,
you're doing a circle with one hand, and then you
give your body a moment to sort of get into that,
(09:28):
and then with your left foot, while you keep your
circle going, you're going to draw a triangle on the floor.
And so even if this is a brand new class,
people are like, you want me to do what now?
And so people are giggling, and I'm like, don't look
at me. Don't just do what I say. Don't do
what I do, because I got two triangles going, and
it's a great ice breaker. And you're always going to
(09:50):
get the perfectionist in the class who wants to be like, oh,
I'm nailing this. It's like, that's not the purpose. And
if I see them all getting it, then I'll say
so with your opposite hand, then do a chop cut.
So then there's no way that So it's and I
always tell them that I'm going to take a Facebook
profile picture of them.
Speaker 3 (10:07):
In that moment, I'm speaking with Elane Dumphy about how
movement helps keep our bodies strong, our brains sharp, and
our spirits.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
Lifted as we age.
Speaker 3 (10:15):
We come back, we'll dive into some of the unique
exercises she teaches and why they're so effective.
Speaker 4 (10:20):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 2 (10:30):
Welcome back.
Speaker 4 (10:31):
I'm here with Elane Dumphy.
Speaker 3 (10:32):
Let's pick up where we left off and explore how simple,
fun movements can make a lasting difference for senior's health
and well being.
Speaker 2 (10:40):
That's great, and what are some of the activities you
can do?
Speaker 6 (10:42):
So you've got these type of movement patterns where one
side is doing one thing upper body and then the
lower body's doing something completely different. Or what are the
types of movements are you guys do it?
Speaker 5 (10:51):
Well, there's a bunch of them. There's another one called
spaghetti spine. And so as we age, there are so
many people who have lower back pain and things like that.
So bringing in the opportunity to connect with your spine,
we tend to age and roll forward, and so for
that little bit of time to stay straighten up and
try and think of your pelvis, chest and head stacked
(11:14):
on top of each other, and the movements don't have
to be large. One thing I do find with seniors
is they want to tell me I've got a bad
back or a bad neck or a bad whatever. And
if I say, oh, we're going to exercise our spine,
They're going to be like no. So when I introduce it,
like think about your tailbone, draw your name with your
(11:35):
tailbone on the chair. So everyone is giggling, but what
they're doing is undulating their spine, right.
Speaker 2 (11:41):
I love that. Yeah, it's funny.
Speaker 6 (11:43):
There's a lot of the consider the kinesthetic aspect of
I'm a kinesiologists, so understanding this, and it's funny you're
talking about the right and the left brain and the
coordination coming in. I used to give stretches to people
in the offshore and there was one gentleman who had
real lot of trouble taking his elbow from his left
elbow hitting on his right knee and vice versa. And
I remember always had trouble with this move and he
(12:05):
couldn't coordinate. And then one day I went off shore
to change the stretches and he came up to be
a show, but you can do it. I didn't have
the heart to change the stretches that time, so I
did it the following month. So I wanted to let
him have a victory lab for a little while. But
you mentioned some things. Coordination obviously super important. Somebody who
isn't coordinated, they could fall. You know, hip fracture is
a huge issue for seniors. You talked about the spine
(12:26):
at bad back. What are some of the other things
you guys are trying to address when it comes to
the like sort of preventable or at least amendable conditions
that we're seeing in some of our older population.
Speaker 5 (12:36):
Great question, Like balancing is a thing, and so we
spend a lot of time feeling grounded, sensing our heel
versus our toe, and playing with the sides of our feet.
And I give them practical advice, like, Okay, you're headed
out into an icy walkway, lead with your heel. So
(12:56):
if you lead with your heel and you have your
full body behind you, you've got something to go with
Versus I'm timid and I'm going to touch my toe,
then you're going over.
Speaker 6 (13:06):
I guess some other things I'm wondering about is small
muscles start to deteriorate as we don't use them right.
Sometimes it's not the big muscles that are the strong
ones that are doing things. There's the little muscles that
help control our joints and also the things. Do you
guys do any work for those deep stabilizer muscles.
Speaker 5 (13:21):
We do, I guess maybe not quite answering the question,
but we do a lot of movements with our fingers,
so each of the joints, and so speaking to arthritic
joints and the realization that you know, arthritis can live
there and it doesn't mean that you can't move it.
And so as an example, my mom is eighty four
(13:43):
and I've seen a huge difference in her mobility in
her hands, and they are from simple movements that they
can do at home. And I always say, love on
each of the joints, don't be judging if one is
a little you know, like check in. And then then
we play with opposite. So we do thumb and index
finger on one side and thumb and pinky on the other,
(14:04):
and then I tell them to go through and try
not to touch on the same fingers. So it's all
the things.
Speaker 2 (14:10):
Yeah, I love that.
Speaker 6 (14:10):
I think that's really important. Yeah, you're definitely hitting out
a lot of the things that I've seen before. I
was in Okinawa one time and I saw Cheritch sizes
lid by a physio where they had different people ranging
from you know, sixty five to one hundred and five
in the room, and they had.
Speaker 2 (14:26):
That social aspect to it too.
Speaker 6 (14:28):
And I think that when it comes to our strength,
if somebody's not able to be able to do those
activities in daily living, how does that impact their life?
Speaker 2 (14:37):
If they're not strong enough to be able to do
the things that they once did.
Speaker 5 (14:42):
I think it leads to this feeling of isolation that
they can't do all the community things, or it holds
them back from trying. So I think more programs like
this that are available, And then I think the onus
is on me to say, look, come and try a class.
And if you do nothing else but sit and listen
to the music, you'll be immersed in community. You'll be
(15:04):
out of your house, you'll get out of your head
for a little while. And I think that's one of
the biggest things. It's like, make people feel welcome no
matter what.
Speaker 6 (15:11):
Yeah, there's so many benefits just being around other people
and also not only being around with the people, but
having accomplishment around other people than supporting you as you're
going through something that's challenging. There's also a lot of
research thats out there these days showing that if you're
hurt or you're injury, you have some arthritis or creaky
joints and you're not feeling great, by moving, you actually
get a bit of an anesthetic effect from the movement itself.
(15:34):
And so often we think, oh, it doesn't feel good,
I shouldn't move it. But do you necessarily agree with
that philosophy or do you think there is some benefit to.
Speaker 2 (15:42):
Moving When it comes to Paiterlely.
Speaker 5 (15:44):
I think there's a huge benefit to it. And one
of the things that I say is think about I'm
healing my joint or I'm healing my injury versus I
think it's old school to say, oh my goodness, go
to bed, don't move, don't do anything. So you know,
it's a cliche, but motion is lotion, so you've got
to move it. I have one student who came to
(16:06):
me and she said, my shoulders hate me, and I said,
oh my goodness, Okay, can we change the conversation there
and talk about I'm healing my shoulders. I said, your body,
it's listening to everything that you say to it. So
let's send it the clear message like, hay, shoulders, I'm
checking in and we're going to do things gently, but
you're going to move the way you used to move hopefully.
Speaker 2 (16:28):
Yeah.
Speaker 6 (16:28):
Yeah, exactly, and you're going to adjust as we as
we go through the inevitable process of aging. That's for
individuals that might have something that can improve, or maybe
is been sedentary for a while, it's kind of locking
up and need some strengthening. In some cases though, there's
conditions that we really can't do much about. Okay, Parkinson's
for example, and dementia, and you've recently done some training
(16:50):
in those areas specifically, how do you address the challenges
that are so unique? And maybe we'll start with Parkinson's
in that population. I did a lot of extra scize
therapy with parking this patient. So I'm really curious to
pick your brain on this one.
Speaker 5 (17:05):
Well, I have one star student and he's fifty six
and came to my class wondering would he feel comfortable,
you know, would he be sort of ostracized. He's become
my new best friend and he's the only man in
my class and so all the women now because he's
been coming for over a year. And i'd love to
(17:26):
say I'm just going to say his first name, because
if he listens to this, then he'll know it's a
shout out to him. So his name is Gerald, and
he feels so welcomed. So I said to him, could
you tell me a little bit about why you feel
so welcomed? And he said, I know that I can
do what I can do, and there's no pressure on
(17:47):
me to do anything else. And he said, sometimes I
sit and listen. Sometimes I'll sing a little bit, like
we'll play a song Hallelujah, and every once in a
while I'll hear him belt out a little bit of
Hallelujah and he laughs at me. And a long time ago,
I said to him, why do you keep coming back? Gerald?
He said, because I like your show. And I said, well,
(18:08):
it's not a show, it's a class. And so we've
become friends and I just he goes to his neurologist,
and the neurologist says, whatever you're doing, keep doing it.
And I think the biggest compliment from all of it
was he told his daughter that when he leaves class,
he feels so good, he feels so welcome, and that
(18:30):
he forgets for that hour that he has Parkinson's.
Speaker 2 (18:33):
So nice. Yeah, and one thing about Parkinson's.
Speaker 6 (18:36):
We've done a couple of shows on Parkinson's because obviously
it's such a challenging condition for people, and exercise has
been shown to be so valuable for individuals like that,
but so often there's a barrier to even engaging in it.
So that's nice that you're able to do that. What
about folks with dementia, Because dementia is something that affects
a lot of people, it can be really challenging.
Speaker 2 (18:56):
How do you work with them?
Speaker 5 (18:59):
I have the privilege of working with them, and I
have learned so much. I had no idea that there
are over forty types of dementia. So we need to
be better at working in dementia care and keeping them
moving in order to be able to help that demographic.
And so I get to go in with them and
I'll use these little colored scarves and like I said earlier,
(19:21):
we'll do the cross body movements and then I will
tailor the playlist to their genre. So I've had the
pleasure of two students in my class at were one
hundred and three. So I'm picking old old music that
the minute that that music comes on, they're going to
tell you that they don't sing and they don't know
(19:41):
the words. And then the next thing, they're singing. And
I have walt with a couple of people in my
dementia care and oh, it is just so rewarding for
both of us. And yeah, I feel very fulfilled being
able to work in that community. And then there's sort
of a detachment because you have to go back in
(20:03):
there every time and they don't remember what they did.
So it's like every day is a new day and
I get to do this all over again, and I
love it.
Speaker 3 (20:13):
I'm speaking with Elane Dumphy about how movement helps keep
our bodies strong, our brains sharp, and our spirits lifted
as we age. We come back, we'll dive into some
of the unique exercises she teaches and why they're so effective.
Speaker 4 (20:24):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 2 (20:33):
Welcome back.
Speaker 4 (20:33):
I'm here with Elane Dumphy.
Speaker 3 (20:35):
Let's pick up where we left off and explore how simple,
fun movements can make a lasting difference for senior's health
and well being.
Speaker 6 (20:42):
Yeah, there's a lot of research coming out that's showing
the music and the recollection of it is just ingrained
in them and it's a way to be able to
trigger tho those memories that they thought were long gone,
which is that's a beautiful story when people commit and
they work with you, if you were to give the
typical changes you see in folks. Obviously we've talked about
a couple of different conditions that are a little bit
(21:03):
more specific. But what do you see when people start
to engage in activity for the first time, in particular
in a group setting for the first time.
Speaker 5 (21:13):
I think there's always a little hesitation, and then I
think it's also human nature that people are nervous that
they're not going to be good enough, which is so false.
And that one thing I do find that my seniors,
once you reach a certain level of maturity, I guess
it's like they really don't care, so they're all in.
They love to play, they love to laugh. So what
(21:35):
I see is that I've got to get my class
finished because these seniors are more active than anyone I know.
It's like Elaine, we got to finish because we're going
to lunch, and then you know, we've got another we
got bowling this afternoon. So what I love to see
is that these are really active seniors. And as we
look at the demographic in Newfoundland and Labrador, there's going
(21:57):
to be more of us, and so let's do the thing.
Let's have lots of programs so that everybody can age vibrantly.
That's my plan.
Speaker 6 (22:06):
Yeah, I would always again, I'll go back to Okanaw
and some of the blue zones I've been to.
Speaker 2 (22:10):
In Okinawa there.
Speaker 6 (22:11):
Was a programs similar to ours, and they were they
had a big draw. There are people from the town
there to make sure there's people in attendance. They would
do blood pressure beforehand, they would have tea afterwards of
little dance and they were all dressed up so nicely.
And I did a couple of blood pressure checks on
on some uh you know, eighty five year old women
whose blood pressure was completely normal by today's standards.
Speaker 2 (22:30):
And it was just wonderful to see.
Speaker 6 (22:33):
But let's talk about the community side of things, because
I do think that the world of wellness, at least
when I was first learning is now evolving, has been
so one dimensional on the physical and then it's expanded
to the mental side. Of course, both are wildly important,
but there are only two dimensions. How does confidence connection
and then also having purpose like waking up in the
(22:53):
morning and having something to go to impact these individuals.
Speaker 5 (22:58):
I think they look forward to the things that bring
them joy, and that's sort of my reason for being
in the world, I believe. So when I can bring
them together and we can laugh and sing and form
a new friendship. I'm really big on find someone that
you don't know and just say hello, because there's also
that little bit of intimidation that oh I don't know
(23:20):
anyone and I'm not good at introducing myself. So I
make it playful, like make eye contact with someone and
just say hi or give them a wave, and so
it creates that feeling of belonging right from the get go.
Speaker 6 (23:34):
So they want to come back, Yeah, I think so too.
And do they form their own communities? Do you see
them sort of developing new friend groups and I different
solities emerge within people that may not have had that
exposure to other folks I do.
Speaker 5 (23:49):
And through the course of you know, maybe a ten
week program as an example, people are a little shy
in the beginning or if I'm going into a brand
new home. They're tough nuts to crack sometimes. And what
I've learned is you also can't make assumptions that people
are not enjoying something because it could be the sternest
(24:11):
face or whatever in my brain says, oh, they really
can't wait for this to be finished, and they'll be
the person that'll come to me and give me a
hug and say that was so much fun. And so
I've learned a lot that way. It's like, don't think
you can get in people's heads, because you can't.
Speaker 6 (24:30):
Is there one movement or activity you do that's the
icebreaker that you see the barriers come down with folks.
Speaker 5 (24:38):
I do a lot of them, Like I'm silly. I've
been known to take a big beach ball to class,
and so if you want to engage your five year
old child, throw a beach ball around, and I've got
a twenty five foot parachute that I'll bring. And then
you know the little the squishballs, the little ones for
keeping your hands moving. I'll throw all those on the
(25:00):
top of the parachute and say, okay, don't let any
fall off. So by the time they're finished, their cardio
is up and they're having a lot of fun. I
have one song that I play at every single class
since I started teaching in twenty seventeen. That's called Joy,
and so I say to them when this refrain comes in,
(25:20):
I want you to say joy in your best opera voice.
And now we've started like, okay, everyone, we're going to
throw our joy at Mike. And so Mike gets like
everyone's attention and it's just infectious. It just keeps growing.
So it's like, oh my God, pick me.
Speaker 6 (25:37):
Yeah, yeah, I wonder You know, it must be hard
for you to take the first step to enjoin something
like this. In particular, when you look at different ages,
it might be easier for some generations to engage in
physical activities they grew up with it right, and other
groups didn't have gyms and things like that, there were
a standard in day to day life. What would be
(25:57):
your message to people that are listening, being like, the
sounds like it could help me. It sounds like something
i'd like, but I'm really uneasy about going and exposing
myself to it. I'm afraid I would enjoy it or
all those apprehensions we may have.
Speaker 5 (26:11):
I just say to them, just come if you make
the effort to come. There is zero pressure on you
to participate. And if you come and just listen to
the music, you're going to get the benefit of being
in community. Guaranteed you're going to either meet someone or
recognize someone that you know. I mean, we're Newfoundlanders, so
we're going to offend, improve and be like, oh my god, your.
Speaker 2 (26:31):
So and So's sister whatever.
Speaker 5 (26:35):
So there's always going to be sort of a social
connection that happens. And I have always given that invitation
and I have never had anyone not participate, at least
in some way.
Speaker 2 (26:47):
So that's good.
Speaker 6 (26:50):
And I think that you know, people are eager to
go to the doctor, they're eager to go to those
are places. But I think the movement is a form
of medicine. Do you share that philosophy too?
Speaker 5 (27:00):
One percent? One hundred percent. And like I said before
in the cliche that like it's just motion is lotion.
We have to move. We have to move, and it
can be gentle and it can be guarded, but we
have to move.
Speaker 3 (27:17):
I'm speaking with Elane Dumphy about how movement helps keep
our bodies strong, our brains sharp, and our spirits lifted
as we age we come back, we'll dive into some
of the unique exercises she teaches and why they're so effective.
Speaker 4 (27:28):
We'll be right back after the break.
Speaker 1 (27:31):
As you're listening to what we broadcast of the Wellness
and Healthy Lifestyle Show with Doctor Mike Wall and listen
live Thursday nights at seven pm and Sunday's at four pm.
Speaker 3 (27:42):
Welcome back, I'm here with Elane Dumphy. Let's pick up
where we left off and explore how simple fun movements
can make a lasting difference for senior's health and well being.
Speaker 2 (27:52):
Let's get into some philosophy.
Speaker 6 (27:53):
Here, because I think it's important whenever we have an
expert talk to about health and aging particular, what do
you think like aging well or having health span?
Speaker 2 (28:04):
What does that actually mean to you personally? Like how
would you define that?
Speaker 5 (28:08):
I think for me, the whole aging vibrantly. I just
went to a seniors conference and that was their focus.
Speaker 2 (28:16):
It was the.
Speaker 5 (28:18):
Keynote speaker spoke about how do we help our seniors
to age vibrantly, and it was about empowering them their
voices and giving them opportunities to move and play. I
think for me, my job is to help seniors play
because really, as we age and life is serious and
there's so many things going on, we need that joyful
(28:40):
moment of laughter and silliness. That's where I think that's
where the magic is. It's like get back to that,
Like ask somebody what brings them joy, and a lot
of times it'll stop them in their tracks.
Speaker 2 (28:55):
Well, it's so funny say that. I into a little
side story here. Now.
Speaker 6 (28:59):
I was in Norway looking at their outdoor lifestyle there
and I ended up meeting up with a friend of
mine who is a national level cross country skier. So
in Norway that's like being a Sydney Crosby in Canada
for hockey. And so I said to it myself, Guy,
my physiology brain starting to go and thinking about trading
athletes is like, so what's your training program? Like are
you periodizing? Are you following all these scientific principles? And
(29:20):
he's looked at me and he's like, man, I play,
I go outside, my dog comes, he's my pacer. So
if he's, you know, running fast, I got to try
and keep up with them. And it was this whole
idea of play. And because he enjoys it so much,
he trains all the time. Because he trains all the time.
He wins all the races because he's better. And I
think that there's this stage of life where we get
ultra serious. But maybe it's time once we get past
(29:40):
some of those responsibilities and we're at the golden years,
which is supposed to be some of the best of
our life.
Speaker 2 (29:45):
Then we get back to that.
Speaker 6 (29:47):
How do you break that down in people when they've
been just told to be so serious their whole life.
Speaker 5 (29:53):
I think just to make a class like this available
and make sure that it's talked about enough that I
think word of mouth is the biggest thing. So then
you get a group of seniors that they play cards
and they're all sitting around the table, and then someone says, oh,
are you going to go to such and such a class?
And then that's when all of a sudden, it's like,
could I bring This is my sister, and I'd like
(30:15):
to invite my aunt. And I even have some of
my seniors. I love to call them my welderlies. My
welderlies will bring their grandchildren if they've got a visiting grandchild.
And so one of my ideas is, you know, I'm
fifty six. I have the beautiful benefit of my mom
being eighty four and in my class, all of the
(30:36):
conversations as adults, you know, with older parents that are
still alive, become about health or like I want it
to be about Remember used to have the old fashioned
like take your kid to work day. I want to
do the you know, take your adult child to movement class.
(30:57):
And can you imagine the interaction. So it's it's intergenerational,
but on another level, so that the fifty plus community
gets to see their aging parents having fun and doing
things that it's not all about, oh, watch your step
or whatever, like we need to have fun.
Speaker 2 (31:14):
Yeah, yeah, it's so funny.
Speaker 6 (31:16):
My mother was a physic teacher and went on to
other aspects of her career. But as an adult now,
as a senior, she is so wildly active and she
reads every new book on nutrition, exercise, everything else. And
she's constantly updating me with information and I love it.
And it did not come from me inspiring her whatsoever.
(31:36):
She was the one who lived beyond this path. And
it's so nice when you know they're at the stage
that they can take control of what is the most
important aspect of your life. I think that health is
valued until it's lost. I hope that's something that's ringing
through to people when they're listening here today. You know,
I've asked people all over the world this one question.
I think it's a great question to ask you, and
(31:58):
that is, what does the word health mean to you? Hm?
Speaker 5 (32:05):
Health to me means being in control of how I age,
and you know, with an opportunity to age well at
home as long as I can, and to listen to
my body and listen to the signs and feed it
well and speak to it well, and just generally take
(32:28):
care of it and own it. Like we get one body,
and so whatever happens with it, I'm going to listen
to it and be like, Okay, well maybe we might
like to try this thing. So that I think that's
my philosophy. Try all the things, keep trying all the things.
Speaker 2 (32:44):
Yeah, And I think that brings me to my last thing.
The point I want to make is that when you
look at what you're doing right.
Speaker 6 (32:49):
Now with people, you're doing exercise, you're doing mental health
because you're helping with loneliness and sense of connection. But
you're also on the neural level, you're helping coordinate the
body that they can.
Speaker 2 (33:00):
Do different activities.
Speaker 6 (33:03):
Why Why is it important for people if they have
limited time or even limited ability at the stage, to
find things that are fun but are still based in
science that allow people to engage all these things to
get the most bang for their buck. I suppose when
it comes to what they're doing, I feel like if
you do the wrong things sometimes it can just be
a deterrent to ever do something again.
Speaker 2 (33:23):
But doing something that's effective.
Speaker 6 (33:25):
But also is enjoyable, you know, are you is that
one of your goals is to try and bring all
those things into one so they get the most out of.
Speaker 2 (33:33):
It one hundred percent.
Speaker 5 (33:35):
So they're going to keep coming back to a class
that I offer if they know that there's zero pressure,
that they can stay in their chair that we always
set up usually in a circle, and so there's that
community connection. Yeah. I think it's just to make them
feel welcome, Like, let's create places where our seniors feel
(33:59):
accept did and that they have an opportunity to thrive.
I think that that's the goal, or it is my
goal for sure, to make sure that people feel welcome
and that this you know, it's like the old fashioned
mom thing. Take it it's good for you.
Speaker 2 (34:12):
Because it's good for you yeah, it is all right.
Speaker 6 (34:15):
Well, if people wanted to get a hold of you,
if they were interested in finding out more of your program,
how did they reach you.
Speaker 5 (34:22):
I'm on social media as Nia on the Rock and
Ageless Grace on the Rock and on Instagram as Nia
on the Rock and then come try a class.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Yeah, fantastic.
Speaker 6 (34:32):
I really appreciate you taking the time and sharing it.
I think I agree with with everything you're saying. I
think it's a fantastic initiative and I think as much
gained in our community.
Speaker 2 (34:40):
So thank you for everything you're doing.
Speaker 5 (34:42):
Oh thank you for the opportunity, lovely to chat with you.
Speaker 3 (34:47):
Well that brings me to the end of today's episode.
We've learned from a Lane that exercise is so much
more than physical activity. It's medicine for our body, training
for our brain, and a remedy for loneliness. As we age,
movement becomes one of the most powerful tools have to
maintain our independence, prevent injury, and keep our minds sharp.
Just as importantly, it creates joy, It builds community, and
(35:07):
gives us the confidence to keep living fully. So if
you've been hesitating to get started, remember this. It's never
too late and even small, gentle movements can have a
big impact. Elaine's work is a reminder that aging vibrantly
means choosing to move, love, and play, no matter where
you're starting from. So big thank you to Elaine Dumphy
for joining me today. If you'd like to learn more,
(35:27):
you can find her online on Naya on the Rock
and Ageless Grace on the Rock. That's our show this week.
I'm your host, doctor Mike Wall. We'll see you back
here next week for another episode of The Weldson Healthy
Lifestyle Show on the sting Ray Podcast Network and your
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