Seniors sharing movement and fun through dance

“Less tired, more energetic and peaceful.” Titirangi woman Helen Spencer has just finished a class in a dance group she joined last year and is ready to head off for coffee with new friends. Helen, who had never danced before except for some Primer One folk dancing, now dances twice a week and says it’s helped her hugely with balance following a number of injuries, including to her brain.

“I love this dancing. I give myself up to the music and it’s wonderful. It gives me a sense of freedom that brings me all together. Mind, body, spirit.”

Helen is one of a number of local women (and the occasional man) who feel they’ve really landed on their feet discovering the joys and health benefits of senior dance led by internationally-renowned contemporary dancer Anna MacRae and her former ballet dancer mother Sue MacRae.

In her 70s, and with an ACC tick for balance and mobility, it’s Sue’s third year teaching dance to seniors. In her youth she had danced with the Royal New Zealand Ballet before setting up her own dance school and choreographing numerous community events. She then became a teacher working with gifted and talented children and achieved a Masters degree in Creative and Performing Arts (dance) to help their development.

“You’re constantly thinking of new ideas when teaching, particularly with talented children. In retirement, I was missing that so much, and my mind was still active,” she says.

Seniors Dance had come into being in Auckland in 2011 and it was the perfect opportunity for Sue.

“It was such a great chance to bring joy and meaning into the lives of seniors and to acknowledge that older people are not withering away,” she says. “We have a voice and we’re keen to express who we are, what we’re thinking and to share movement with others.”

When Sue’s hip needed replacement, Anna stepped up and taught some of the classes while her mother was recuperating.

Anna had started ballet classes when she was six but in her early teens discovered contemporary dance was her true dance love. Graduating from Unitec Performing and Screen Arts in 1996, she went on to local dance success before heading overseas for a decade, making a name for herself on the international scene in dance, choreography and teaching throughout Britain, Europe and the USA.

Out of hospital with a new hip, Sue was only in recovery at home for two weeks before she was back on the sideline at classes watching Anna with her over-60s seniors. “People just respected her talent and

loved watching her movement. It was inspiring and not threatening to the seniors.” And Anna loved her new role.

“The seniors are very receptive to dance. They’re curious and want to learn new things. They become less inhibited and more free, and take it seriously while having fun at the same time,” Anna says. “They have a hunger for doing something different, something new, and I really like their enthusiasm.”

“The range of movements helps with confidence, posture, fitness, balance and memory. By learning a range of different dances, the seniors realise they’re challenging their memories and achieve such a huge sense of satisfaction when they do remember the various movements. It’s a very positive experience to be comfortable expressing feelings in dance form, without being self conscious,” says Sue.

Others in the class agree. “My balance is dreadful, my memory isn’t great and I have COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). I’ve got a hip that’s not flash and let’s not talk about my fitness levels,” says one student. “But Sue and Anna’s classes are terrific and you do what you can without any pressure. The fun and laughter along the way are icing on the cake.”

Another student says she always feels happy and free after class. “It’s just such a good thing to do for myself and my body feels stronger and fitter.”

With Anna leading classes, Sue has the opportunity to watch her students and perhaps establish if anything is bothering them. “Some people will maybe have personal problems when they first come. They’re likely very tense and stressed in their lives and gradually as they assimilate the idea of dance, and relax and let it come to them, they change. We can see that.

“I have a little concern that dance isn’t really part of our lives in our society. In some cultures it’s very much part of life. Dance is one way we can share what we know, what we experience, and what we love. It’s just a wonderful thing to do,” Sue says. “We can be a little bit silly and eccentric in our classes, but where else can you do that? Dancing is a new chapter in the lives of many seniors. This has become my life.” Sue and Anna’s classes are held in New Lynn and Titirangi with Blockhouse Bay starting this month. Following the interest in senior dance classes, Anna is now considering running similar groups for younger age groups if there is strong interest.

Call Sue MacRae 022 640 9852 or email sue_macrae@hotmail.com for more information. – Moira Kennedy

Anne Maree Gardens, Rest Home & Hospital

Respite & Day Care, Specialist Hospital Dementia Care and Young Persons Disability Care

We believe that inclusiveness, enjoyment and fun, contribute to a resident’s holistic well-being.