Pascua Yaqui Seniors Inspire With Their Commitment to Fitness

Three senior women lifting light weights.

There's a senior (age 55 and older) fitness movement going on at the Pascua Yaqui Tribe near Tucson, Arizona. It’s spreading to more seniors and inspiring countless adults, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. The instigators are unstoppable because they are seniors -- seniors who have been energized and know firsthand the benefits of being fit.

Senior fitness and dance instructor Nancy Duran, LPN, has witnessed this explosion of senior fitness. “We started a dance class five years ago.” At first there were six regular dancers. “Now we have over twenty.”

The seniors dance their traditional and hip hop styles. In 2013 they came in first place for their “Gangnam Style” dance in the Annual Indian Council of Aging Conference Aerobic Competition.

Group of seniors sitting in chairs and playing volleyball.

They also participate in weekly fitness classes at the Liogue Senior Center and diabetes program fitness classes and volleyball games at the tribal wellness center. The volleyball games are just like regular games, but seniors are required to remain seated. Some games are so heated that seniors forget that one rule and fly out of their seats, losing the point.

Many of the seniors participate in all of the senior physical activities. “We’re trying to encourage other seniors. We want to show them that we can still move. If we just sit, we start having pain. When we exercise, we feel better. My circulation, my heart, my moods, everything feels better,” explains Maria Bustamante.

The seniors know they are community role models and can influence younger people to view aging in a positive light. “We’re doing this to show people who will be seniors in a couple of years that it’s important to keep moving,” says Maria (Bustamante).

“I’m doing this for my grandchildren, so they know that when they get older, they can still be active,” adds Maria Molina.

Group of senior women in traditional dress.

Maria Flores has benefited from the fitness classes. She has heart disease and diabetes in her family. She started joining the fitness classes, choosing healthier food, and eating less food. “I do chair volleyball, dancing, and the fitness classes. I’ve made dramatic changes. Before I didn’t care. I was depressed. Now I know it’s up to me to feel better.” Maria has lost 35 pounds.

Maria (Flores) is 62 years old and has 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Many of them come to see her when she dances for the Tutulis (Beautiful) dancers. Like other seniors, Maria hopes younger family and community members are seeing what being a senior can mean: being active, fit, and happy.