Traditionally Speaking…by Pat Larsen - Music and Movement

Let’s be honest, without condemnation, today's music genres are not exactly in the styles that we’ve known growing up. That’s okay.

Back in the day, we danced at church events and at birthday parties alongside family and friends who really enjoyed the easier rhythms and  movements that we could share with everyone in the room.

In all honesty, and especially from what I have seen of those Seniors and Elders who attend fitness classes…the utilization of safe and effective movement with the support of a chair…seems to be a natural compliment. We are also tapping into a memory source that needs dusting off along with those dance shoes.

It’s for that reason that I believe there is a definite need for programs that include what’s known as SEATED FITNESS for Seniors.

I teach this type of program as a licensed instructor who was trained in a style known as Zumba Gold fitness. 

I believe getting training in these speciality areas of fitness is important when teaching in an aging group. Group fitness has its own set of considerations, like paying attention to each individual's needs all while providing a general working knowledge of the population that attends.

Music from the 50’s and 60’s is easily identifiable to the brain and the body which can then translate that message down to the limbs creating a healthy and safe active state that improves muscle tone…that thing that seems to be lost unless we  continue to develop it. Alongside that benefit, we can definitely improve those muscle groups that enhance our posture,  the strength to be able to rise from a chair, memory improvements as we learn repetitive steps and overall that good feeling that is created from that 3 minute trip down memory lane.

Fun Fact…most songs from back in the day were 2.5 minutes  compared to today's longer versions of hits on the radio.

This is the reasoning behind a recent decision to re-introduce the Seated Fitness program for Seniors here in our area of East Durham.

Together we can create a wonderful life, no matter what our age.

But we need each other to do that.

Pat Larsen is a syndicated columnist who lives, works, plays and prays in Greene County, NY.

Please contact Pat at 518-275-8686 b/w (8am-5pm) if you have any questions or comments that you’d like to share.