Over Fifty Years of Service to the Park Cities/Moody Family YMCA

Over Fifty Years of Service to the Park Cities/Moody Family YMCA

We are excited to share the story of our much-loved water group exercise instructor, Brenda Heckmann. She began her journey with us in 1975 and offered the first women’s group exercise class at the Park Cities YMCA. She shares with us her incredible 50+ year journey that begins with taking Women’s Dance at the YWCA.

Becoming a Group Exercise Instructor

When Brenda moved to Texas, she saw an ad for a class at YWCA. She was new to area and didn’t know anybody, so she became interested in taking the Women’s Dance class at the YWCA. She arrived for the class, but the instructor did not come for the class. Brenda asked if another instructor was available so that the class could be offered the following week. She learned there was not an instructor available and that to become an instructor a lesson plan needed to be developed.

Brenda grew up learning dance and was a school teacher. She was very familiar with creating a lesson plan. She developed a lesson plan and was offered the job.

Her class was highly popular at the YWCA. There were around 30 women wanting to take the class, but there was not enough space to accommodate them.

Transition from the YMCA to the Park Cities YMCA

Brenda’s husband encouraged her to contact the Park Cities YMCA and request them to offer a women’s dance class.

In September of 1975, Brenda approached the Park Cites YMCA with her request and was told the board needed to approve her idea since they had never offered women’s classes. Brenda received the approval needed and established the first women’s group exercise class at the Park Cities Y.

From 1975-1991, she expanded her women’s group exercise classes to include Dancercise, Healthy Back, Belly Dance, Stretch and Move, and Dance Aerobics. Her women’s classes were extremely popular, some reaching as many as 50 participants. Classes were held using the basketball court gym to ensure everyone had plenty of room.

Transition from Land to Water Classes

Something important to note is that Brenda experienced life-changing health issues from 1986-1988. She battled cancer and was in a car accident. These experiences had an impact on Brenda’s health by causing her a great deal of pain. Through trying to alleviate her own physical pain, she discovered the water was the only place where she felt no pain. This is what led Brenda to transition from a land instructor to a water instructor.

Brenda started teaching aquatics classes, beginning with Arthritis Aquatics. She got certified in this class and as a trainer to train other instructors.

In 1991, at the age of 50, Brenda became the Assistant to the Aquatics Director and had to become a certified lifeguard.

Eventually, she started offering swimming lessons for adults and children and water classes like Water Aerobics, Deep Water Aerobics, Water Walking, Water Dancing, Water Running, Ai Chi, Pre & Post Natal, and Aqua Zumba. Within months of developing water classes, men started attending Brenda’s classes.

From 2010 to Present

Over the years, Brenda has become increasingly aware of the needs of aging populations. Drawing from her past life experiences and certifications, Brenda began offering one-on-one Personal Water Fitness Training. As a result, members who want hands on pre- and post-surgery water training can receive help to strengthen and align the body for balance. 

Brenda is currently 84 years old but her passion for helping people to be able to move and having fun helps keep her forever young! She continues to offer classes and advocates for the YMCA.