Three years ago, when Gary Dalzell left California for Hawaii, he was totally out of shape. He was a smoker, maintained a sedentary lifestyle and lacked energy. He had moved to Hawaii after his wife died, and found a home in Waikiki.

But his life changed when he stumbled upon the Bragg Longer Life, Health & Happiness Club, an outdoor exercise class that has been held on the Fort DeRussy lawn for nearly 50 years.

Dalzell, now 81, found a level of fitness he hadn’t imagined.

Dalzell participated daily in the class, which comprised light calisthenics, deep breathing and stretching exercises, and began walking each afternoon. By the next year he was volunteering as an instructor, teaching two to four classes a week.

The Bragg Longer Life, Health & Happiness Club was founded in Waikiki in 1970 by the late Paul Bragg, a nutritionist known more commonly for his healthy-lifestyle products and his advocacy in the natural-health movement. Bragg lived in Hawaii part time between the 1940s and his death in 1976, reportedly at the age of 95. He liked Hawaii, where he surfed and was a friend of Duke Kahanamoku, whom he met in the 1912 Olympics.

After his death his daughter-in-law, Patricia Bragg, kept the Fort DeRussy classes going, six days a week. Now the program is run by a group of volunteers such as Dalzell.

People of all ages attend class, but Dalzell says it’s a great form of exercise for seniors.

“We have people in their 90s that come to the class regularly,” Dalzell said. “If they don’t come, we call and check up on them. For people that come to class, this little part of the day is an important part of their life.”

Setting

Class is held on the Fort DeRussy lawn with the waves lapping the shoreline of Waikiki in the background. The exercises are done near trees so some shade is available, but I’d still recommend bringing some sunscreen and a hat.

Benefits

Deep breathing invigorates the body and creates a sense of calm and balance. Since most people are shallow breathers, it’s a good reminder to do deep belly breathing that engages the abdominal muscles and oxygenates the body.

The stretching exercises help loosen and strengthen the body. For some the exercises will provide a cardio workout.

The workout

The class offers a general calisthenics workout complete with deep breathing exercises and relaxation, including squats, kicks and bends that provide small doses of cardio work.

During one breathing exercise, we took in deep breaths, bent forward and then moved the body in an upright position, inhaling and exhaling as instructed.

Some of the exercises were done in a circle, where participants hold hands to do knee lifts or kicks.

At one point Dalzell broke into song and the group joined in.

User review

Marie Casal, a Seattle resident who spends winters in Hawaii, has taken the Bragg classes for 40 years. “It’s a fantastic exercise class,” she said. “I’m 87 years old and very healthy. I think it’s because of this class. They did a breathing test for my physical. I have so much air in my lungs at my age, it’s like I’m a 40-year-old.”

Casal does exercises six days a week when on island and takes a break for six months when she goes back home. Her family keeps her busy. She has four children, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren who all live nearby.

“The six months of exercise seems to be enough,” she said.

Donna Halkinrude, a 77-year-old Waikiki resident, began taking classes about 13 years ago, after learning about it from a fellow church member. “I’m not much into exercise, so it’s more of a social thing for me,” she said. “But the stretching and breathing exercises have helped, or I probably wouldn’t still be around. It keeps me active and busy. You use it or lose it. ”

Lila Tarsey, 81 of Waikiki says that the class helps her maintain a good attitude. She began taking classes in the early ’70s.

“The class is fantastic,” she said. “I watch what I eat, always get exercise and think positively. There’s so many friendly people. We really build each other up.”

Try it out?

This class is filled with people of all ages, shapes and sizes. It’s perfect if you are looking for something that’s not too strenuous and allows you to go at your own pace.

The breathing and stretching exercises would be beneficial for anyone.

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“Tryouts” features exercise and wellness classes and other fitness activities. Reach Nancy Arcayna at narcayna@staradvertiser.com or call 529-4808.