The wonderful parents to our talented Becky Golberg, Michael Braman and Beverly Golberg are also integral members of the Six Degrees community. With six children, a son-in-law, a daughter-in-law, and five grandchildren between them, you might think they have plenty of community, but Bev, a retired legal assistant who now writes creative nonfiction and has created her own jewelry line, says that it’s quite the contrary. “When Becky began her teacher training at the studio, she started working with both of us on Pilates in our home. Mike was able to take up golf again…, and I have more strength than I had ten years ago… I can toss the grandkids around in the water and play ‘the roughest and toughest’ with our rowdy grandsons.” This is to say, the community within Six Degrees has expanded their experience of the community they cherish outside our walls.
“We came to Six Degrees at Becky’s urging, and without any goals in mind. We wanted to just see if we could improve our strength, mobility, and agility. Now we’re core-strong. Maintaining that has become the goal we keep our eyes on.” And they certainly do work as a team, noting that they try to get to Pilates mat class every Sunday. “It’s a time,” Bev says, that “Mike and I can have fun together and do something beneficial for our bodies—and then have a scone at Lucia’s!” Since first joining the studio, Bev and Mike have now explored Six Degrees Barre, Pilates mat and reformer classes, Asana Stretch, and even some yoga. They exercise most days and do Pilates at home at least twice a week, reminding themselves “to live in the present” and have “alone time as a couple and as individuals.”
When I asked what most surprised Bev about working out at Six Degrees, she honed in on one of my own favorite aspects of this accessible, inviting space: “Serenity. I love the ambiance… the way natural light floods in during the daylight hours, the look of candlelight across the wood floor and on the gossamer curtains in the evening. It’s a space of quiet energy.”
Mike, now in his “encore career” as a chemical addiction counselor (after twenty years in business litigation), and Bev are prime examples of the ways in which Baby Boomers are making the most of the bonus years, focusing on building and giving back to community, maintaining health and happiness, and always keeping a mindful eye on the balanced, holistic life. We’re so happy to welcome them into our family.