Being in one’s retirement years does not mean that one should sit back and knit or make jam, so feel a group of elderly residents. These residents take part in a weekly senior sequence dance at the Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre.
Upbeat music was heard permeating the hallways of the recreation centre and a group of eager dancers filled the hall, most of them wearing high heels, pointing their toes to the beat.
Colleen Parnara sat behind a radio and switched the tapes to accommodate the two types of dance. “We do line dancing and sequence dancing where each person dances with a partner,” explained Parnara. She added that every person over 60 should join as there is good music, friendly people and also because it is a great social event.
The lead dancer, Nina Haase said that it is a great way for people to stay healthy, while still having fun. “Some of the dances are really difficult to learn, so it keeps their minds active,” said Haase. The participants sang along to the words while dancing. Gertie Dodgen (88) is one of the oldest dancers. “Exercise is movement and movement is life,” said Dodgen.
She further added that she participated in fitness leagues at Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre for 50 years and started with the senior sequence dance six years ago. Another dancer, Ann Gear, said that this dancing is the highlight of her week. “It does not feel like exercising, because it is so much fun. Nobody judges you if you make a mistake,” concluded Gear.
Details: Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre, 011 782 6908.
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