{"id":7851,"date":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/troops-for-fitness-testimonial\/"},"modified":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2015-07-16T00:00:00","slug":"troops-for-fitness-testimonial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/togethercounts.com\/es\/troops-for-fitness-testimonial\/","title":{"rendered":"Troops for Fitness"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Troops<\/a><\/p>\n

George Bonilla\u2019s voice fills with pride as he talks about the life improvements his students have made since starting his Tai Chi class.<\/p>\n

One of his students, he said, used to have trouble attending her grandchildren\u2019s soccer games. She couldn\u2019t climb up the bleachers to find a seat. After studying Tai Chi with George, she now climbs to the top of the bleachers without a problem.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s about \u201cthe minor victories that are a part of life,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Teens and young people, too, benefit from his classes. The balance and focus students pick up by studying Tai Chi helps them as they play baseball, football and other sports.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe things you learn in Tai Chi even help with soccer,\u201d George said.<\/p>\n

George teaches at his local community center in Sacramento, California as part of the Troops for Fitness program.<\/p>\n

The program, supported by a grant from The Coca-Cola Foundation, employs veterans across the country to teach a variety of fitness classes, like Zumba\u00ae, water aerobics and boot camp classes. Classes are available to community members for low cost, or even free. Working with the National Recreation and Park Association, The Coca-Cola Foundation plans to engage 200 veterans in 12 cities nationwide.<\/p>\n

George thinks it\u2019s natural for veterans to teach fitness classes. He attended West Point in the early 1980s and said the importance of exercise is something service members learn quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cVeterans are good at teaching fitness because they have an understanding themselves about the importance of being fit,\u201d he said, \u201cThat\u2019s something that\u2019s built into you.\u201d<\/p>\n

George studied Tai Chi for years before teaching it. After retiring from the police force due to an injury, he realized he needed to get active in order to keep himself healthy through his retirement. He decided to resume taking Tai Chi classes. His wife eventually urged him to start sharing what he\u2019d learned, believing that other people might want to join him in his practice. She was right.<\/p>\n

Twenty-five students now join him twice a week for classes. In addition to their exercises, the group has a round table discussion about how their training is going, so George can keep track of everyone\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n

The goal of George\u2019s class, and other Troops for Fitness classes, is to provide new gateways to physical activity for community members. The classes stress the importance of exercise for an active, healthy life and help participants at all fitness levels get into a routine. Students don\u2019t need a gym membership or any fancy equipment to see results.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Tai Chi you don\u2019t have to wait until you become a master or perfect the form,\u201d George said, \u201cYou start getting the benefits as soon as try.\u201d<\/p>\n

The classes, though, are now about more than fitness. They\u2019re about friendships and community. Students who have never met each other discover they\u2019ve lived near each other for years. The class celebrates birthdays and supports each other through rough times.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a lot of fun really,\u201d George said, \u201cEveryone learns to be better neighbors and better people.\u201d<\/p>\n

For more inspiring community stories, check out these other reads from Together Counts!<\/strong><\/p>\n