Almost everyone has obstacles to overcome when trying to get fit, from time constraints to physical limitations.
Ibrahim Mohamed discovered that Somali-American women in Shakopee had more challenges than most: they didn't know much about exercise and couldn't find a women-only environment to work out, which many Muslim women prefer.
"They didn't know how and they didn't have the resources," Mohamed said. "They needed accommodation and also they needed motivation."
Mohamed, president of the Shakopee Diversity Alliance, applied for and received the Neighborhood Health Connections grant from Allina Health and St. Francis Regional Medical Center. He used the $10,300, intended for health-related programming, to create the Somali Women's Exercise program, or Somali Jimisci.
The 12-week class also met several of Allina and St. Francis' broader goals, said Tamara Severtson, who works for both organizations.
"This collaboration, this fostering, this sense of community, is really important," Severtson said. "We want everyone to feel welcome everywhere."
The first group of 30 women graduated from the program last week. Participants tried Zumba, yoga and strength training classes at the River Valley YMCA in Prior Lake, and swimming lessons at the East Junior High pool in Shakopee. Both locations limited the classes to women only. The YMCA bought shades for the doors to keep spaces private, Mohamed said.
Muna Sharif had been swimming just a few times before. She loved it, she said.