Seniors dance their way to health at Berks EncoreTuesday March 8, 2016 12:01 AM
By Bruce Posten
WERNERSVILLE, PA
Wearing workout attire and distinctive shimmy scarves - a fabric with silver beads and coins - around their waists, senior citizens were shaking up a storm by stepping lively, sliding and gliding and stretching and bending to mostly Latin dance music in a Zumba Gold class.
It was all happening at the Berks Encore-Wernersville center on the grounds of Wernersville State Hospital, South Heidelberg Township, during one of the first free exercise classes that began in March and will be offered until June 30.
The classes will be provided at all six Berks Encore sites and Boyertown Area Multi Service Inc. for those age 60 and over.
TODAY'S SPONSOR:
Funding for the free classes, which usually cost $1 to $5 a class, was provided by a government block grant to the Berks County Area Agency on Aging, said Jessica Jones, deputy director.
"I can't give a definitive amount of how much it will cost until we see the level of senior participation," she said. "But we wanted to use the money to enhance the health and wellness of seniors to keep them as independent as possible."
Investing in senior fitness by promoting exercise is part of a nationwide rationale to promote good health among seniors..
Rachel Kline, Wernersville site manager for the past nine years, said her center offers 13 classes a week with about 75 participants who choose to participate in Zumba (a low-intensity dance exercise class), aerobics, chair yoga, line dancing, tai chi, and sit-and-get-fit classes.
She anticipates the number of seniors could double with classes being offered for free.
"The shimmy scarves are a fun element that allow participants to be more aware of their body because when the beads and coins are jingling they know they are moving," said Sherri Freifelder, 45, a certified Zumba instructor.
"I started taking Zumba classes four years ago, and I lost 116 pounds and it changed my life," Freifelder said.
Freifelder said her classes are not about attaining perfection, but about socialization and increasing senior flexibility, strength and endurance.
"Zumba dancing is more like a party - that's why seniors like it," she said. "A lot of seniors are on limited budgets, and offering the classes for free just removes an obstacle to participate."
Kline and Freifelder believe many older seniors - in their late 70s or 80s - didn't always value exercise for exercise's sake.
"Now that they are retired and have time, more seniors are turning to it," Freifelder said.
"I've been out for six months with a strained knee," said Carole Forry, 74, of Robesonia. "But I'm back in class today. I like to keep moving."
"I think this exercise is wonderful, and I love the social aspect," said Pat Campbell, 67, of Spring Township. "I really think exercise is good for your balance."
"I worked all the time and didn't have time for exercise," said Linda Trupp, 72, of Spring Township. "But this is my second year of class, and people are so friendly."
"Sad to say, this is a class with only women in it," Freifelder said. "All my other classes have men, so I'm issuing a challenge to the men of Western Berks. Get out here and exercise with us."
Original Source: http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/seniors-dance-their-way-to-health-at-berks-encore
Wearing workout attire and distinctive shimmy scarves - a fabric with silver beads and coins - around their waists, senior citizens were shaking up a storm by stepping lively, sliding and gliding and stretching and bending to mostly Latin dance music in a Zumba Gold class.
It was all happening at the Berks Encore-Wernersville center on the grounds of Wernersville State Hospital, South Heidelberg Township, during one of the first free exercise classes that began in March and will be offered until June 30.
The classes will be provided at all six Berks Encore sites and Boyertown Area Multi Service Inc. for those age 60 and over.
TODAY'S SPONSOR:
Funding for the free classes, which usually cost $1 to $5 a class, was provided by a government block grant to the Berks County Area Agency on Aging, said Jessica Jones, deputy director.
"I can't give a definitive amount of how much it will cost until we see the level of senior participation," she said. "But we wanted to use the money to enhance the health and wellness of seniors to keep them as independent as possible."
Investing in senior fitness by promoting exercise is part of a nationwide rationale to promote good health among seniors..
Rachel Kline, Wernersville site manager for the past nine years, said her center offers 13 classes a week with about 75 participants who choose to participate in Zumba (a low-intensity dance exercise class), aerobics, chair yoga, line dancing, tai chi, and sit-and-get-fit classes.
She anticipates the number of seniors could double with classes being offered for free.
"The shimmy scarves are a fun element that allow participants to be more aware of their body because when the beads and coins are jingling they know they are moving," said Sherri Freifelder, 45, a certified Zumba instructor.
"I started taking Zumba classes four years ago, and I lost 116 pounds and it changed my life," Freifelder said.
Freifelder said her classes are not about attaining perfection, but about socialization and increasing senior flexibility, strength and endurance.
"Zumba dancing is more like a party - that's why seniors like it," she said. "A lot of seniors are on limited budgets, and offering the classes for free just removes an obstacle to participate."
Kline and Freifelder believe many older seniors - in their late 70s or 80s - didn't always value exercise for exercise's sake.
"Now that they are retired and have time, more seniors are turning to it," Freifelder said.
"I've been out for six months with a strained knee," said Carole Forry, 74, of Robesonia. "But I'm back in class today. I like to keep moving."
"I think this exercise is wonderful, and I love the social aspect," said Pat Campbell, 67, of Spring Township. "I really think exercise is good for your balance."
"I worked all the time and didn't have time for exercise," said Linda Trupp, 72, of Spring Township. "But this is my second year of class, and people are so friendly."
"Sad to say, this is a class with only women in it," Freifelder said. "All my other classes have men, so I'm issuing a challenge to the men of Western Berks. Get out here and exercise with us."
Original Source: http://www.readingeagle.com/news/article/seniors-dance-their-way-to-health-at-berks-encore