SUSAN LOESCH

It probably won’t surprise anyone for me to tell you that that when I work out I like to be surrounded by other people who love animals in general and cats in particular. For years I have worked out at Susan Brown’s Jazz Movement at the Calvary Family Center in Pulaski Heights.

I’ve so often said to Barney and Shadow and the rest of the library cat staff while rushing out the door, “See you later, guys, I’m going to class” that I thought it would be fun to show them where I go and what happens there.

Barn and Shadow are getting pretty used to our field trips now, and both were handy when I pulled out their new fatigue-print bandanas for the occasion.

Then I showed them their aerobics gear: little kitty headbands and leg warmers. The guys looked at each other. I could imagine them thinking, “Oh, no, it looks like we may be in big trouble.”

Off we went, getting to class early, as all new students need to do. Ms. Susan took time with each of them to explain how to go about selecting just the right weights and how important correct position is in order to be safe.

The class they were attending was Body Sculpting, which uses weights, steps, balls, chairs and other objects of torture!

After telling them about the class, Ms. Susan offered them some treats, and Barney and Shadow set out to explore the aerobics room before class started.

Barney checked out the shelf of huge balls, and Shadow headed for the weights. After climbing all over several bins of weights he headed to the front of the class and stood there looking at the really big weights.

“Don’t worry, Shadow, those weights are for very experienced exercisers. Most people just start with small weights!”

I think I saw a sigh of relief.

Barney headed for some shelves holding weights and mats and found a cubbyhole that was the perfect fit. He still was wearing his headband and one legwarmer, color coordinated, of course.

Both cats had started out with all their aerobics gear, but in no time there were little kitty headbands and legwarmers spread all over the aerobics room.

“They know that headbands and legwarmers are out of style,” said Ms. Susan.

“Yep, so they got rid of them fast,” said a student who had just come in.

I had told Barney and Shadow that they wouldn’t be the only guys in class, and they were both happy to see Mr. Grainger when he came in. I am sure they noticed that HE wasn’t wearing a headband or legwarmers!

As more students came in, Barney and Shadow wandered around and met them. “Oh, they are so friendly,” someone said.

Shadow is a little more outgoing than Barney, and he was soon sitting in a chair
soaking up admiration.

Before class started, Ms. Judy took both guys out to the walking track thinking they might like to do a few laps.

Both were good on their leashes, but they ran into a typically cat problem. Barney wanted to go in one direction, and Shadow wanted to go in the opposite direction. Neither would give in.

During class, Barney observed from the back of the room while Shadow wandered around. He got up close and personal to help people with their side lunges, concentration curls, calf raises and ball curls.

He started supervising Ms. Judy doing deadlifts but then caught sight of himself in the mirror and watched his own reflection instead.

When the big exercise balls came out Barney moved further away. Shadow, who had been active the whole class, came up to one and stood still, I think in disbelief.

His look said, “You expect me to get on that thing and do WHAT?”

“It’s great for improving your balance, Shadow, and it is really fun,” I told him, but he sure didn’t seem convinced.

When we got to abdominal work, Shadow decided that I need a little extra resistance for my crunches and helped me out by sitting on my chest.

During the cool down, they both stretched out on my mat, sat quietly and watched.

What great cats they are!

After class, Ms. Susan offered them more treats and told them what a great job they had done.

The next class on the schedule was dance aerobics and the first students came over and sat down with Barney and Shadow and petted them.

Not being kitties who turn down attention, they lapped it up.

“We need to have cats here more often,” one of the students said.

I am thinking it wouldn’t be long before our kitty exercisers became very much at home in class.

Barney and Shadow assure me that they now know everything there is to know about Jazz Movement, and if anyone is interested in the classes they want you to email them at <a href=”mailto: jazzmovement@yahoo.com”> jazzmovement@yahoo.com</a>.

They promise they will answer all your questions. They are, after all, fitness veterans now!