U3A leaps into new term, proving learning has no age limit

The ever-popular fitness classes have returned for term three, along with arts, technology, and more.

CLASS IN SESSION: Megan Brown (centre) leads her popular seated yoga class for Roma U3A. Picture: Jorja McDonnell

MEGAN Brown welcomed new members and a host of regulars back to her yoga studio this week, marking the start of term three at Roma's University for the Third Age.

On their first day back yesterday, 22 senior yogis were eager to get fit and balanced at seated yoga, which has become one of the most popular classes on the U3A program.

"I was lucky enough to have a teacher who introduced me to seated yoga when I had some illness which limited what I could do,” Ms Brown said.

"After trying it for myself, I thought there could be a place for it and started running it as a regular class, then I was actually approached by the U3A, who asked if I'd be interested in running it for them.

"It all started from there, and now they are probably one of my most popular classes, which is really lovely.”

Like all tutors at U3A, Ms Brown volunteers to teach seated yoga, and since coming on board with the group three years ago, has encouraged countless seniors to come along to try something new.

"A lot of people didn't realise that there was a place for them to do yoga before they came there, and a lot more had never even done yoga before,” Ms Brown said.

"Most of the feedback we get after the first session is that they are so happy they were able to find a space where they can do it, and lucky to have seated yoga, because a lot of communities don't get to have this.”

U3A has a wide range of classes on offer, but it is the sessions for yoga, fitness, table tennis and aqua aerobics which are by far the most well-attended.

"The health activities have always been a part of the courses since we started eight years ago, because it is really important for older people,” U3A president Glen Telford said.

"At the moment we have about 120 people signed up for our classes across the board and the whole program is really popular, because it is something older people can do while also getting a bit of social interaction and learning new skills.

"There are so many benefits and I think that's why people come back year after year.”

Mr Telford said the U3A welcomed new members at any time of the year, and was also on the hunt for new classes to fulfil the group's motto of "connecting seniors to lifelong learning”.

"We'd always like to increase the number of tutorials that we offer,” U3A president Glen Telford said.

"But we often have trouble getting tutors because it is a volunteer thing.

"We are always on the lookout for somebody to offer a different course, and welcome anything that we think older people will enjoy.”

Local seniors can enrol in U3A at any time of the year by contacting tutor coordinator Evan Dunster on 0419 201 460.

Originally published as U3A leaps into new term, proving learning has no age limit