Boxing might not be the first exercise that comes to mind for seniors, but for John Thaler, 76, it’s just what the doctor ordered.
Thaler was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, a disorder of the central nervous system, four years ago. To keep active and help with his balance, he takes Rock Steady Boxing classes every Tuesday and Thursday at the fitness center at Oak Crest Senior Living community in Parkville, where he and his wife Joyce have lived for about a year.
“Boxing keeps me moving, and it keeps me stepping,” Thaler said. “It’s good for my balance. I like it because it also helps you get your frustrations out when you hit the bag.”
Thaler has always enjoyed being active, and he used to play basketball with the students at Calvert Hall, where he taught math for 46 years. He retired as chairman of the math department in 2015 and holds the designation AFSC, or Affiliated Christian Brother, the highest honor given to a lay person by the brothers at Calvert Hall.
“I’ve been doing pretty well, because of my doctors,” said Thaler, who has had both knees replaced and his hip replaced three times. “Sometimes I have to search a little for words, but the boxing helps.”
The Thalers are parishioners of St. Joseph in Fullerton, where Joyce Thaler was a former principal and director of the cemetery. They share their apartment at Oak Crest with Gibbs, their 11-year-old rescue Maltese.
Thaler also enjoys the social aspect of his boxing class. The one-hour class consists of a warmup, followed by boxing moves on a bag – no sparring with the other residents – and a cool down. The number of class participants can range anywhere from three to 11.
“I think the Parkinson’s would have had a worse effect on me if I didn’t take this class,” Thaler said.
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