Page 3 - Legacy Fall Edition 2016_Classical

The Connection Provides a can stay standing in the water and still get the benefits of
the full range of motion, the social aspect of participating,
Healthy Dose of Fitness and and the flexibility in general.”
Activities. Williamson introduced senior boxing at Twin Lakes, in

which about 15 to 18 residents learn basic boxing moves,
Feeling a little out of shape? Need an energy boost? Or such as jabs, uppercuts, dodging punches and working on
maybe you would like to try something new? balance. “It’s fun,” he says.

You need to see Amy Brunner or Jon Williamson. Brunner, a University of Cincinnati graduate, and
Williamson, an Ohio University alumnus, oversee much
Brunner is the manager of The Connection at Twin Towers, more than exercise programs. Both communities provide
and Williamson is her counterpart at The Connection at a range of social outing opportunities to places such as
Twin Lakes. the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops, Reds games, Gorman
Farm, BB Riverboat excursions, Cincinnati Bell Connector
While The Connection is a fitness center, the pair’s
responsibilities go way beyond physical training and streetcar tours, the Banks downtown, Taft Theatre,
activity. They also oversee a myriad of programs at the two Lumenocity, Playhouse in the Park and University of
Life Enriching Communities Senior Living Communities. Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, to name some.
The Living is Learning series at both communities also
“We really focus on the overall wellness for the older adult
population – any population, for that matter,” Brunner says. provides educational and recreational programs, such
“Even as you age, you can sustain your physical and mental as presentations by both residents and people from
abilities – or you can improve them.” throughout Greater Cincinnati on various topics.
Board games, movies, Bible studies and adult mandala
Both Brunner and Williamson say their services target “the
whole person,” which includes the physical, emotional, coloring-book sessions also fill the schedules at both
social, intellectual, spiritual and vocational needs of the communities.
residents and associates. “We want to help them stay active with so many diverse
outings and activities – both inside and outside of our
“I tell people that in my job, I’m responsible for fun and
fitness,” Williamson says. “We push a very active lifestyle, communities,” Williamson says.
to keep them up and going as much as possible through all
dimensions of wellness.”

At Twin Lakes, that includes Muscles in Motion, a three-
day-a-week class that focuses on maintaining balance,
developing range of motion, cardio workouts and deep
breathing; a two-day-a-week boot camp-style circuit class;
a balance class involving tai chi and yoga; and various
aquatics classes in the 20-by-75-foot pool (and residents
can head to the whirlpool as well).
Twin Towers provides similar fitness programs, Brunner
says, adding that a massage therapist at The Connection
began offering acupuncture this year. In addition, Walk
with Ease, a walking program that runs for about eight
weeks, teaches proper shoe wear, pace and journaling.

Plus, Aqua Pilates and Aqua Yoga are popular as well,
Brunner says. Jon Williamson Amy Brunner (center)

“We’ve taken the land classes and put them in the water,
which makes it much easier for our population to exercise
and not have to lie down on the ground,” she says. “They
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A Life Enriching Communities Publication • Fall 2016 1