Finding balance: Morganton classes help seniors stay steady and connected

As beams of afternoon sunshine filter through the windows of First Presbyterian Church of Morganton’s Fellowship Hall, a loyal group of seniors move in a quiet rhythm. Movements like ‘Part the Wild Horse’s Mane’ and ‘White Crane Spreads Its Wings’ turn exercise into meditation in motion and help seniors build confidence and community.

It’s a scene that’s becoming more popular in Burke County. As the population continues to age, more seniors are seeking ways to stay healthy and connected. Local churches are stepping up to provide a space for the community’s seniors to exercise where they feel most comfortable, and Personal Trainer Beth Prichard brings the gym to them through balance, strength, and Tai Chi.

Prichard, who moved to the area about a year and a half ago, began teaching senior-focused fitness classes after discovering a passion for helping older adults stay active and independent. What started as a single class has grown into multiple weekly sessions at churches and community spaces throughout Morganton and Marion.

Her goal is to improve seniors’ mental health by creating a social circle where they can build relationships. She also focuses heavily on preventing injuries before they happen, with balance at the center of her exercises.

That focus comes with urgency. About 1 in 4 seniors fall each year, making falls the leading cause of injury among adults 65 and older, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

“And out of those, many are serious injuries like head injuries or hip fractures. Those are incredibly difficult to recover from,” Prichard said.

To reduce those risks, Prichard’s classes work through upper-body strength, core stability, lower-body strength, and weight-shifting exercises designed to improve coordination and mobility.

“And then we practice balance in different ways, because sometimes you just have to practice balancing,” Prichard said.

She added that her classes are designed to accommodate a wide range of abilities. Some participants remain seated, while others stand for more challenging movements. Chairs are always there for support and safety, she said.

Everyone completes baseline assessments to start, which include a 30-second Sit-to-Stand test and a single-leg balance check to track progress over time. She added that nearly everyone shows improvement.

“Every person I’ve worked with has made progress in at least one of those areas,” Prichard said. “Even if it’s incremental, it’s an improvement. It just takes a little bit of time, but the improvement will happen if they are regular.”

Beyond strength and balance, Tai Chi, a form of Chinese martial arts, features controlled, specific body movement patterns, or forms. The low-impact exercise is often recommended for seniors to increase balance, leg strength, and aerobic fitness long-term.

“It’s incredibly relaxing,” Prichard said. “Everybody gets in their own state, and there’s lots of repetition, you’re focusing on your breathing, and it’s exercise, and there are cardiovascular benefits.”

While physical health is a major focus, Prichard said the social aspect of her classes is just as important. Many seniors face isolation, particularly after losing a spouse or experiencing mobility changes, she said.

For 82-year-old Bruce Ervin, who attends the “Balance and Strength”, fellowship is at the heart of his motivation.

“You don’t just get motivated by yourself,” he said, adding that he believes the regular exercise saved him and got him through a quicker recovery when he was in a serious car accident last October. The accident left him with a broken neck and sternum, but now he’s back in motion, attending multiple classes per week.

Class members range from their late 50s to well into their 90s, showing that it’s never too late to improve strength and balance, Prichard said. Some attend multiple classes each week to maintain consistency and build stability.

Susan Duckworth, who is in her 80s, has been exercising in one form or another throughout her life, and Prichard’s classes are a continuation of her active lifestyle. Out of the many personal trainers she has worked with, Prichard is top-notch, she said.

“She really has a mission. It’s not just a job,” Duckworth said. “She’s just such an encouraging person.”

For Margaret Hampson, Prichard’s Tai Chi classes combined with physical therapy have provided significant relief for debilitating arthritis.

Hampson said the exercise not only helps alleviate pain but has also made her sleep better and become overall more relaxed.

“You just feel better after the class,” she said.

For many in the room, that feeling is what keeps them coming back.

Prichard also said that she works to keep her classes accessible by making sure that cost is not a barrier. She asks for small $5-$10 donations for those who join her classes.

“I want it to be completely accessible,” she said. “I don’t want price to be an issue. My message is just come.”

As interest in her classes continues to grow, Prichard said she hopes more seniors will give her classes a try.

“I want them to feel good about what they’re doing, and feel like they are empowered and in charge,” Prichard said. “When you lose your independence, or you’re at that point in your life when you’re thinking about those things, that’s really important.”