By Tarja - August 2021
Tarja is is one of our most popular instructors. The bond that she has formed with her participants is particularly strong and is reflected in the devotion that her participants speak of her. In fact her dedication to Friskis is so strong that we should not have been surprised when she told us that her favorite Friskis value was: EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE THE POSSIBILITY TO EXERCISE.
“Friskis is for everyone, no matter how old or fit you are. I strongly believe that everyone should have the possibility to exercise, as we need exercise to stay healthy and to enjoy life. Friskis Brussels offers a wide variety of sessions, so everyone should be able to find some of their liking. But no matter which session you attend, you still have the possibility to do it your own way; variations of the movements are always accepted. Just do as much as you can, and the way you can.
At Friskis Brussels we have worked hard to broaden our potential membership. One year ago we started with Family and Family Circuit sessions, where kids can exercise with adults. Having myself stood years around the sports field watching my own children doing sports, I wish that the possibility to train together with them would have existed already 10-15 years ago. But it’s so great we have that possibility now!
In Sweden Friskis even has sessions for groups with special needs, e.g. Enkel jympa (= simple jympa) for persons with intellectual disabilities. I even heard of sessions an association organised especially for blind people: in these 7-10 instructors come to a single session, where they build strength stations for blind persons, stations being connected to each other by a rope and instructors guide participants in each station. An amazing way to make exercising possible for this group with special needs, really according to the motto that everyone should have the possibility to exercise.”
Now that you’ve heard her thoughts, let’s take a moment to better know our beloved instructor. Tarja is originally from Finland and sport has always been an essential part of her life, and through volunteering she feels she can participate more actively in an organisation she loves. In fact she has been a member of Friskis for more than 15 years and an instructor for nearly 13. What she enjoys the most is obviously the people and the spirit which is created together during sessions at F&S Brussels.