Exercise Inspired for the Older Folks – Yeoh Kit Koon

21 April 2015 by Adeline Lum CM-

 

Getting off the couch is hard especially when one has not exercise for a long time. Many older folks came to believe that nothing could stop the body ailments that naturally come with the tide of age. 

However, research has shown that fitness amongst the middle-aged and elderly increases the quality of life when they reach their 70’s and 80’s. Chronic diseases including – heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, colon, or lung cancer – only develop in the last five years of those most fit in life, instead of the final 10, 15, or even 20 years. 

 

 

On 9^th of April, more than 70 middle-aged and elderly people attended an exercise session held by the Joy Ministry in PJEFC, lasting slightly more than an hour.

Designed and taught by brother Yeoh Kit Koon, this Sit Down Exercise is designed with the middle-aged and elderly in mind. Most exercises can be done when sitting down that even an 80-year-old can perform the exercise.

Accepting Christ at 59 years old, Yeoh was still fit for his age as a sports coach.

 

 

However, when he attended church, he was surprised to see his peers becoming increasingly frail and more prone to falling down. 

“This passion for the older people made me create this exercise. And I want to give glory to God,” said Yeoh. 

Although Yeoh was experienced in competitive training for athletes, he was unfamiliar with developing exercises that are low impact, with a high range of motion exercises. 

 

 

But having heard about PNF (proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation) stretching – a set of stretching techniques commonly used in clinical setting – Yeoh applied this technique in creating his exercise. 

The Sit Down Exercise Yeoh designed focuses on 11 components of fitness, which he has simplified down to Strength, Stamina, and Suppleness. It is carefully designed to cover most of our skeletal muscles, and the exercise session is systematically conducted, working the muscles from the neck down to the toes. Believing that an exercise session is incomplete without stretching, the Sit Down Exercise ends with a stretching session, which again is done with care covering the muscles of the legs up to the neck. 

 

 

“I came here to learn how to exercise because the doctor told me I have a spinal problem. And I wanted to learn how to exercise without injuring myself,” said 90-year-old Mary Loke, a participant who was delighted to try this exercise for the first time. 

 

 

Sixty-six year old Jenny Mah added, “At our age, you cannot simply exercise. But because Yeoh is a professional sports instructor, I trust him for his exercises.”

The exercise session ended with Yeoh sharing the Word of God and saying a prayer of thanksgiving. He believed that God is the source of all blessings. And if we commit our exercise to Him, He will bless us.

“I always feel that the physical can lead to the spiritual. And because of that, I want to thank God for my health,” said 69-year-old Yeoh, who hardly looked like his age. He believes that taking care of our physical body is important because it affects our spiritual realm.

 

 

 

Finally, what touches Yeoh the most is seeing the hands of God over the lives of people through his ministry. Since his ministry started in 2009, he has taught over 940 people, having witnessed a number of people coming to God.

One of his best memories is witnessing how a 72-year-old lady came to the Lord, having been invited by a stranger she met in the market. Now, this lady is a fervent worshiper of God in church, having the faith of a little child.

Surely, this Sit Down Exercise is a testament of how God did not forget about the older folks and care about our physical health. 

 

Hence, if you are middle-aged and elderly, come join the next Sit Down Exercise or bring your parents to PJEFC. Contact PJEFC at 603-7957-4341. 

You can also participate in a Sit Down Exercise personally led by brother Yeoh Kit Koon held every Monday and Friday at 11 PM to 12 PM, at Canning Garden Methodist Church. Contact him at 016-521-6109.

 

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