Hsin Kuan (far r.) practices his yoga pose at City Parks Foundation’s free Seniors Fitness Classes. For Forest Hills residents, Hsin, age 79, and Shung Kuan, age 78, the City Parks Foundation’s free yoga lessons has provided the opportunity to learn something new, that is also beneficial to their health. The couple, who took their first yoga class through CityParks Seniors Fitness program, are currently hitting their yoga mats and practicing their poses twice a week at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park,

“We first heard about CityParks free Seniors Fitness program through the news,” said Kuan. “We thought it might be a good idea to try out the classes, after my husband’s doctor recommended yoga to help him with some health problems he had been having. What really drew us to the CityParks Seniors Fitness class was that it was an organized program and specifically for seniors and with never having done yoga before, we felt that it would be a good fit.”

Shung Kuan (bottom row, middle) works on her flexibility during yoga classes at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. Since starting three seasons ago, the Kuans are now hooked on yoga and have really seen a difference in their health. “My husband has seen a tremendous improvement in his walking and is becoming more steady on his feet after every class. We have also both gained more flexibility and balance,” said Kuan.

In addition to the added health benefits, the weekly yoga classes give them the opportunity to stay active and get out of the house, in addition to making new friends.

“It is so important for seniors to stay active, get out into the fresh air and take advantage of their parks,” said Kuan. “We hope to continue to take advantage of the CityParks Seniors Fitness program well into our golden years.”

Mr. and Mrs. Kuan are just two of the seniors who are currently participating in CityParks Seniors Fitness. The spring program offers free tennis, yoga and fitness walking instruction to adults over 60 in 14 parks across the five boroughs. In Queens, classes are offered at Flushing Meadows- Corona Park, Astoria Park, Cunningham Park and Roy Wilkins Park. Each fitness class, including free use of equipment, is offered twice a week for one hour and encourages participants to maintain regular attendance to maximize the health benefits.

CityParks Seniors Fitness, which has served more than 3,400 participants since it began in 2006, provides older adults the opportunity to learn a new activity and make new friends, while aiming to promote neighborhood parks as a great place for community activity. The program also encourages seniors to stay active, as exercise, even in moderate amounts, can help participants feel and look better, maintain or lose weight, reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes, and minimize the symptoms of arthritis.

CityParks Seniors Fitness Spring Program runs through June 22. For more information, please call the Sports Department at 718-760-6999.