FOLEY, Ala. — With a selection of exercise classes, and a variety of meetings and groups, the Foley Senior Center is a humming place.

“Our seniors are beyond bingo,” said Pam Harris, Foley’s director of Senior Services. One of Harris’ goals is to “get more health awareness,” and the center’s exercise offerings, she believes, are a good way for seniors to start.

Membership is $11 a year, explained Harris, adding that members (who don’t need to be Foley residents) pay $1 per class versus the $2 non-members pay.

While class size varies, Harris says all the exercise classes average around 12 participants.

For Ron Driesbach of Fairhope, who teaches beginning and intermediate Tai Chi classes, the classes “make me feel good.” He was introduced to the practice, used by many for its health benefits, in the 1960s while in language school for the Department of Defense. In the 1990s, he became certified to teach the regimen.

The gentle exercise/martial art is good for balance and muscle control, Driesbach says. He teaches a beginner and intermediate class.

Loralea Blake teaches a “chair yoga” class at the center. The yoga classes allow people to laugh, said Blake.

“It's not a competition.”

Chair yoga, Blake explained, is all done in a chair, or using a chair as an aid to balance. If an exercise is beyond someone’s ability, Blake will work with them to modify the move to their needs.

Although it’s “chair” yoga, several of Blake’s students have progressed to the point where they can do some of the exercises out of the chair.

Dr. Samantha Graber is a chiropractor in the area and teaches the “1107” exercise class. Using a variety of chair and standing exercises, students use light weights to increase resistance.

On the day a reporter was there, Graber noticed a new student, introduced herself and asked politely about the ankle brace the student was wearing. Reassured, Graber began the class.

“Your body is your most important possession,” said Graber. “It's more fun (to exercise) with other people.”