An out-of-work YMCA fitness instructor in Rochester is helping older adults stay active during the pandemic.

What You Need To Know

  • Anja Jabs-Devins was laid off from the Maplewood YMCA when the pandemic hit

  • She decided to start “Movement with Anja"

  • Anja holds weekly group classes

Anja Jabs-Devins knows how to get people moving! She’s turned her job layoff into a new business, “Movement with Anja."

On any given day, fitness classes packed the Maplewood YMCA.

“I had a 5,000 square-foot gym that I filled up and people are flocking in, we had parking problems.” Laughed, Anja.

When COVID-19 hit, the "Y" closed and she lost her job. She knew people were not only isolated at home but not staying active — so she’s now traveling to them for personal and group training.

“I decided I’m going to start my own business. I’m calling it 'Movement with Anja' and I want to get people off the couch and give them the opportunity to feel strong and able to be doing things that they used to do,” Anja said. “I will show you what you need to do so you can get out of the chair and on to the bus for the bus trip or climb over something that your grandchildren left in the yard.“

Jackie Mastrella says working out with Anja changed her life.

“I wanted to try to take care of myself a little better and so I started in my first day, I thought what am I gonna be doing here but after my first day I walked out onto the front steps and I felt like Rocky! I wanted to throw my arms up just because I felt so good about myself that I can actually do this,“ said Mastrella 

“For me, this is really just like one door closed and the other one opens up and I think really that’s how we look at it. That’s just the way life goes sometimes,“ Anja said.

Movement with Anja has weekly group classes for chair yoga on Thursdays at 6 p.m. in the Maplewood Rose Garden in Rochester. It’s only $5 — and don’t forget to bring a chair!

You can reach "Movement with Anja" at (585) 851-3419.