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Many men would
be completely intimidated by being the lone male in a swim
exercise class of from 10 to 40 women. Frank Avallone has
not only participated year-round in water aerobic classes
for nine years, he has become a completely accepted and
much admired member of the predominately female classes
(in the large winter class, there are sometimes one or two
other male members).
Perhaps Frank comes by his love of the water from being
born in Rome, city of magnificent fountains. Although his
mother was born in America, she went to Italy as a young
girl, and Frank was raised and lived in Rome until he was
17, when he decided to take the Andrea Doria and come to
America and New Haven.
“At that time, my English was terrible,” he
laughs. I lived with my mother’s cousin and did factory
work at Sargents while I went to night school. Eventually,
Frank graduated from the University of New Haven with a
degree in mechanical engineering.
Married to Marilyn Glaser in 1962, he enjoyed an engineering
career but ended up teaching math at the Children’s
Center in Hamden, a school for emotionally disturbed children.
Frank retired about 10 years ago and coincidentally to his
leaving work, developed some health problems.
His doctor prescribed regular exercise and Frank started
daily water aerobics. Like Frank, I also started water exercise
because of a health problem; in my case, a serious ankle
injury which makes walking and land exercise, painful.
For many reasons, aquatic exercise is ideally suited to
the needs of older adults. Buoyancy assists movements, which
allows for a greater range of movement in the water.
In addition to improved muscular strength from working
against water-resistance, exercise in the water can have
a positive effect on osteoporosis and bone density.
Most of the members of the class, which is sponsored by
the Soundview YMCA, say they also enjoy making new friends,
learning about a good new movie, book or a place to eat.
During the summer session, held at the outdoor Guilford
Yacht Club pool, our energetic, full-of-fun instructor,
Katie Murray, has coordinated the exercises with the Italian
music CDs that Frank has not only provided, but enjoys singing
along with as well. To be in the water on a beautiful day
and hear lovely music….. “é magnifico!”
Frank has also been teaching the class on how to count
in Italian. He loves the sound of his native tongue and
gives private language lessons in his home as well as attending
a Saturday get-together group that converses (along with
expressive hand gestures) only in Italian.
Summer may be over in a few more weeks, but you can be
“in the swim” all year-round. Call your local
YMCA to inquire about water aerobics classes in your area.
Unfortunately, only the Shoreline “Y” has a
Frank Avallone.
Jean Cherni is founder of Senior
Living Solutions, a retirement advisory service. Contact
her at jeancherni@sbcglobal.net or 15 The Ponds, Branford
06405.
H. Pearce Company REALTORS®
is a full-service real estate company with more than 100
agents and branch offices in greater New Haven and the Shoreline.
Corporate and & Commercial offices are located in North
Haven, where the company was founded in 1958. All listings
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