Thread: Training Senior Citizens the art of Raqs Sharqi

Has anyone taught or teach regular belly dance classes to senior citizens? I'd like to chat about what insights you have into teaching at Senior Centers or teaching the elderly in your own studio. Please pm me or post here. Thank you!

PM'd you!

How do you define "senior citizens"? I have two 67 year olds in my normal classes. I have also done a little teaching in rest homes - oldest student was 92.

Well, I guess the proper term would be "elderly", but I really want to teach women (and men, possibly) who are between the ages of 50-80+. Okay, 50-60 isn't elderly (to me, because I'm not too far off from that number) but that is the age range I'm aiming for.

Basically I'd like to know how you structured your classes and what NOT to do and what to do.

My goal is to get a Senior fitness/Personal trainer certification, possibly a "belly dance" certification and work with the elderly (dealing with health issues such as hypertension, arthritis, etc.). Since I have about 10 years dance experience (off/on) I'd like to teach belly dance to the elderly in a safe manner. In other words I don't want to hurt anyone in the process..w.:

50 is "elderly"??? Damn, maybe I should get my AARP card ......

I have one.

I alternate sitting drills in chairs for upper body work with standing drills. about 10 minutes each, working on shoulder and hand fluidity a lot. Shimmies and footwork are kept to a minimum.

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

50 is "elderly"??? Damn, maybe I should get my AARP card ......

There's got to be some polite way to describe "older adults nearing or past retirement age", but every term seems to have someone who objects to it.

I'm also interested in modifications and special concerns for teaching "long-term adults".

ACE offers a lot of special classes for working with older populations, as I'm sure do AFAA and ACSM. Once you get your certification as a trainer or GFI, you can go for a specialty or just get the training you want for your CECs.

Once you're certified, too, you'll get newsletters and e-letters with lots of information and updates on all the new research, which will include info for seniors.

Off the top of my head, it's important to be aware of common conditions affecting exercise safety (there are ACSM guidelines as to what information to collect on your intake forms, and which conditions require a doctors approval for exercise, it's best to learn those and follow them).

Then you'll need to know how to modify your classes to accommodat those conditions. You'll most likely have people with high blood pressure or who've had heart surgery, so things like raising the arms above heart level are a concern, for instance. Specific conditions have specific modifications you wouldn't expect, so checking each new students' intake forms against whatever resources your certifying body offers is important. Common sense or surface knowledge of conditions isn't always enough. For instance, (ischemic) stroke survivors shouldn't do neck stretches or head rolls, even very gentle ones.

I don't think you have to be a medical expert or an anatomist, but you do want to know enough about anatomy to figure out how to modify a maya, for instance, for a student who's had one or both hips replaced. (nearly half of my senior yoga students have at least one artificial hip!!) or how to modify snake arms for a student with arthritis in the shoulder. (arthritis is also highly likely to affect the hands and therefore zilling). Even moreso than knowledge of anatomy, I find myself depending on knowing a lot of variations of movements -- there are so many different techniques you can use to produce the same basic move!!!

oh, and BALANCE is a HUGE issue, and in much younger people than you'd expect. Think about it -- the average 8 year old can easily stand on one foot or hop around the room on one foot. But the average 20 year old has trouble. Imagine how much balance declines by age 40, or 70!!! Combine that with possible bone deterioration and a typical tile-over-concrete Senior Center floor and it's a dangerous situation. So you have to work very carefully with things like hip drops, pivots, etc. where balance can be an issue.

Generally, a longer warmup, a less intense cardio experience, less balancing (lower center of gravity), less releve, less spinning, and less floorwork -- and a longer cooldown. So what can you have more of? Women this age tend to be more secure, more outgoing, more experienced. So more expression! More attitude. More ooey gooey drilling, more veil. More take-your-time-and-milk-it choreographies. More zills-as-accents.

Here we go.
You can try calling ME elderly!

Assume nothing, make sure you are trained to teach dance to any adult, that you understand what happens to the body as it ages, that you have first aid training.
THEN assume nothing! You will find 60 year old who can dance better than 16 year old.You will see inspiring 15 year olds and broken down 50 year olds in this dance.
At the show I have just been involved in the majority of the dancers were over 40 and many seniors like myself. Aswell as organising, I danced four times. You can see a recent photo on the gallery of this poor old woman.I belong to two dance troupes , practise once a week and teach three times a week. Never I will resemble be a flat bellied yoga toned Californian but I sure will , by the will of God,Raks Sharki my way through the rest of my life and so will many another.
Be prepared ,do NOT patronise then assume nothing. They may go home to do crosswords or dance you off the floor!

Originally Posted by da Sage

There's got to be some polite way to describe "older adults nearing or past retirement age", but every term seems to have someone who objects to it.
))
I'm also interested in modifications and special concerns for teaching "long-term adults".

Why bother having classes exlusively for the elderly? I have had dancers from 20 to 65 in one class and the elder certainly had no problem keeping up...and yes I can shift..they often ask to slow down.
If you are teaching n a centre specifically for the retired or older person then again why not just call it Raks Sharki ( mind you they'll say what the h***) Why woud you need to mention the age. If you are thinking of specialising in teaching retirees then what's wrong with saying "Classes for over 50s!?

I'm sure a class at a senior center would just be called 'bellydance' or 'middle eastern dance' or whatever, 'for seniors' would be redundant (and all over the schedule, if they used it!). But she has to call it something HERE on Bhuz to get the info she wants!

Most older women who feel strong and fit will sign up for 'regular' classes. The ones who turn up at senior center classes or classes for older adults generally have lost some mobility, strength, stamina or have health concerns. They want or need a modified version of the class. They've chosen it, not been forced out to some pasture to take it. No one is saying that a fit 75 year old can't take the regular class if she chooses.

Being older is not a condition that requires modification. But it is a HUGE risk factor in many, many health conditions that DO require modifications -- high blood pressure, heart attacks and surgeries, arthritis, glaucoma, hip replacements, osteoporosis. And other conditions that might onset at a younger age but start requiring serious exercise modification as the patient ages -- MS, diabetes, lupus, sickle cell and its associated hip disorders.

How is the OP supposed to ask for advice in making those modifications if she doesn't use SOME term to refer to the students? What term would you like her to use? Older, senior, elderly, gentle, silver, golden girls, etc. have all brought down the wrath here on Bhuz.

I have plenty of students in their 60s and 70s in my regular classes, both dance and yoga. I also have students as young as 50 taking my senior classes -- because they have had heart attacks, or they have lupus, or MS, or some other condition that affects their ability to participate in a regular class but they still want to exercise and have fun.

Should I refuse to let them in because other 50 year old women are offended that they've chosen that class? Where should those women GO?

I just want to say that I'm 50+, and would be very offended if a class geared toward 50-60 yr olds were called "Elderly Belly Dance". I might beat someone with my dancing cane! I find nothing offensive in the word "Gentle", because it is fitting for a class geared toward those with physical limitations, regardless of age.

i have a bellydance for seniors" dvd out
i am 58
the ladies on the dvd are 60, 63, and 75
....so, i guess we are, but do not feel "old".
i think there is a clip on youtube

<How is the OP supposed to ask for advice in making those modifications if she doesn't use SOME term to refer to the students? What term would you like her to use? Older, senior, elderly, gentle, silver, golden girls, etc. have all brought down the wrath here on Bhuz.>

We're all people no matter what our age is, so perhaps she could ask for advice on teaching people with health issues, which would cover all ages.

Originally Posted by jahbie

<How is the OP supposed to ask for advice in making those modifications if she doesn't use SOME term to refer to the students? What term would you like her to use? Older, senior, elderly, gentle, silver, golden girls, etc. have all brought down the wrath here on Bhuz.>

We're all people no matter what our age is, so perhaps she could ask for advice on teaching people with health issues, which would cover all ages.

True. But she's not teaching people with health issues, she's teaching a class at a senior center. It may include people with health issues.

I don't mean to be difficult. I just do't know why we can't call a class taking place at a senior center a class for seniors when we're talking to our peers about it.

As others have said - the individual is the issue not the age. Many people in 50s and 60s will have no problem in a normal class - but I have a 40 year old who struggles. That said, Laura has summed it up well. As people age things break down. Balance is a big one - so no fast direction changes, spins or a lot of work on demi.

Flexibility goes so a longer (gentle) cv warmup such as some gentle dancing that is mostly walking (ie no percussive hip movements - or fast direction changes). Perhaps even add some gentle stretches into the cool down.

Arthritis may mean not only obvious joint issues in hips and knees but also feet - which along with balance issues may make any walking at speed difficult.

As to other issues it'll be a mixed bag. You will need to be able to adapt on the fly. I'd suggest a questionaire when they start so you can be aware of what issue they know of. If your area has courses in safe dance practice, take them. Avoid the known moves that cause problems.

Originally Posted by Lauren_

True. But she's not teaching people with health issues, she's teaching a class at a senior center. It may include people with health issues.

I don't mean to be difficult. I just do't know why we can't call a class taking place at a senior center a class for seniors when we're talking to our peers about it.

I don't mean to be difficult either, but if she's teaching a class which may include people with health issues isn't that the same with any class? Some people may have problems with flexibility, balance, restricted joint mobility etc. but they won't all be senior citizens.

I am way over 60 and I have rheumatoid arthritis which sometimes causes problems, but I've had it since I was 43, so it isn't down to old age. I know what my limits are and I don't do anything that hurts, I should think that's what everyone has to do, no matter what age group they are.

Originally Posted by jahbie

I don't mean to be difficult either, but if she's teaching a class which may include people with health issues isn't that the same with any class? Some people may have problems with flexibility, balance, restricted joint mobility etc. but they won't all be senior citizens.

We're not talking about any class, or a class for people with health issues. We're specifically talking about a senior class, offered at a senior center, where you have to be a senior to take the class. It seems truly OK to me -- necessary, even -- to use the word 'senior' in this context. Its going to be written on the class listing book, and over the door people walk through to get to the class. 'Senior Center.'

I am way over 60 and I have rheumatoid arthritis which sometimes causes problems, but I've had it since I was 43, so it isn't down to old age. I know what my limits are and I don't do anything that hurts, I should think that's what everyone has to do, no matter what age group they are.

I agree. And I have people in all my classes who have a variety of conditions, including arthritis. I'm often in awe of their ability to manage and work through it. Arthritis, like fibromyalgia, makes people want to STOP moving even though that's the worst thing they could do. I love being able to make movement fun for those students to help them get through the days they don't want to come!

But I think the average 75 year old woman is going to be mad as hell if she signs up for a belly dance class at her local senior center and finds out the class includes a lot of floorwork, spinning, and demanding aerobic segments and the instructor is highly critical of her alignment and movement in spite of knowing she's had a hip replacement and has arthritis in both shoulders. If the instructor says 'well, you can modify what we're doing here and don't do anything that hurts' that woman isn't going to be appeased.

And if you advertise a class for seniors, and seniors come, and they tell you about their age-related or age-aggravated or very-common-in-their-agegroup health conditions like high blood pressure or glaucoma and the instructor doesn't make modifications for those issues and a student dies or suffers injuries --- I think a judge or jury would say those are irresponsible actions.

None of this stops anyone of any age from signing up for the regular class at the Y if they're fairly fit and have only manageable conditions. Again, I have women as old as 75, including a great-grandma to 12 who wouldn't tell me her age, in my regular classes. Just because I *also* teach a seniors class for those who choose to take it doesn't mean I'm age discriminating in any way. And some of those students really WANT a place to go when they no longer enjoy keeping up in my regular classes. It's at their request that I offer a senior class.

(continued)

This comes up regularly on Bhuz, people seeming to take offense because a senior class is offered. But isn't that what senior centers DO, offer classes especially for seniors? (sorry, going back and forth between the OP who is offering a class at a senior center and talking about my own seniors class, don't mean to be confusing)

My mom took modern dance, ballet and yoga at a senior center in her 60s, she loved it. She was pretty fit, but wasn't motivated to want to keep up with 20 year olds.

Why should she have been denied those classes? I genuinely think I'm missing something.

Jasani,
I recieved my "Standards of Practice for Working With Older Adults" certification a few months ago, and apparently the terms "senior" and "elderly" are totally out in the health/wellness industry. It seems that "older adult" is the appropriate term to use for anyone over 50. While the term "senior" does not seem to bother my 65 and up ladies, I always use the term "older adult" when emailing, calling, etc any business about what I do.

I have found that the most important things for the ladies in my "older adult" dance classes are a constant reminder of the need to modify, and to teach to the lowest level. The ladies who can do more, will, but often the ladies who cannot need a visual reminder of the basic move. Meaning, if I teach a standing hip bump, then a step bump, I let my students choose which one they will perform, but I will do the in place hip bump. I also stress that if something hurts they should stop immediately, and hopefully ask me why.

I think income level is a generally accurate indicator of health status among this population. I noticed that the ladies who attend my dance classes in a somewhat wealthy suburb have few problems attending an hour long class (with 5 minute break in middle) that is all standing and movement. The participants I teach in my exercise class that is in a very low income area would not be able to do this. I am seeing a lot of improvement in the exercisers, so I think after a few months most of them would be able to do an hour of dance-but something to think about with beginners.

My classes are highly focused on lots of repetition, as per request of the ladies. I was used to working with children and younger adults, so I was afraid my older ladies would be bored. But they specifically asked me for more repetition, so they could really feel they were "getting it". I love working with this age group-they pay such good attention! I have found they are very interested in the history and culture of dances, and the meaning of lyrics.

I focus my classes at the Senior Rec Center on the feeling of dance movements, and focus quite a bit on sensing our balance. These classes are about having fun together and improving personal health. We dance in a circle and don't use mirrors unless I am teaching choreography. I was surprised to learn that the ladies prefer me to teach choreography facing the mirror, with my back to them! At the end of class I give a 4-5 minutes song for "free dance" time, when I encourage the students to dance and move around the room.

My ladies have also told me they enjoy having a class specifically for their age group. They like feeling like part of a group, with a teacher that cares about the needs and interests of their age group. Remembering names is great.
I hope this goes well for you, this age group is so gratifying to teach! Good luck!
Nikki

Oh, and no bare socks! Many older ladies do not want to be barefoot, which is fine. I allow dance slippers, comfortable tennis shoes, or other non slip footwear-but no bare socks! Way too dangerous! And let them know that it is okay to leave or sit down in mid class for water, bathroom, or whatever personal need they may have.

"Senior" is bad?

This is like the people who are against the term "retarded", which was the pre-PC PC term for slow. It doesn't matter what the new term is, someone's going to use it as an insult, or want to be excluded from association with the group.

Senior is actually a very polite word, literally meaning advanced in rank or experience. Nothing wrong with that!

I don't see anything wrong with the term Senior either, in fact my Mom (73 yrs) thinks any other term is demeaning.

Lauren and Micamica, thank you for your input. It's much appreciated.

This is the certification I plan to work with: Personal Trainer Certification <br> and Senior Fitness Specialist Certification Personal Trainer Certification, AFPA Senior Fitness Certification, Fitness Trainer for Older Adults | $665.00 | AFPA Store | Health. Nutrition. Fitness. Everything you ne

I also plan to get CPR certified as well.

I'm not as worried about age as I am about the health of the individual - be it a male or female student.

<But I think the average 75 year old woman is going to be mad as hell if she signs up for a belly dance class at her local senior center and finds out the class includes a lot of floorwork, spinning, and demanding aerobic segments and the instructor is highly critical of her alignment and movement in spite of knowing she's had a hip replacement and has arthritis in both shoulders. If the instructor says 'well, you can modify what we're doing here and don't do anything that hurts' that woman isn't going to be appeased.>

Sorry Lauren, I misunderstood. I thought that Jasani was offering a fun beginners class, I didn't think that fast spinning and floorwork would be included.

<This comes up regularly on Bhuz, people seeming to take offense because a senior class is offered. But isn't that what senior centers DO, offer classes especially for seniors? >

Well, the people who take offence are the people in the age group being discussed. Looking back on the thread I don't see where the word “senior” was objected to. It's not the word, it's the assumption that “senior” means elderly.

You see, it's all relative. A teenager thinks that 30 is old. A 40 yr old thinks that 60 is old. At my time of life I think that when people say elderly they mean people who are 80+.

I think it's just one of those things that isn't important until it affects you. When you hit 60 you will still be the same person that you were the day before when you were 59, but in the eyes of society you will have become someone who is bound to have problems with balance, heart, joints etc. Well, some will and some won't, you just can't generalise.

Originally Posted by micamica

Oh, and no bare socks! Many older ladies do not want to be barefoot, which is fine. I allow dance slippers, comfortable tennis shoes, or other non slip footwear-but no bare socks! Way too dangerous! And let them know that it is okay to leave or sit down in mid class for water, bathroom, or whatever personal need they may have.

Micamica your posts make wonderful reading. Realistic without patronising advice and comment. Thank you.

Originally Posted by da Sage

"Senior" is bad?

This is like the people who are against the term "retarded", which was the pre-PC PC term for slow. It doesn't matter what the new term is, someone's going to use it as an insult, or want to be excluded from association with the group.

Senior is actually a very polite word, literally meaning advanced in rank or experience. Nothing wrong with that!

I don't mind senior. I don't even mind Pensioner. I like 'twerly" in Brit speak for "Am I too early to use me bus pass?"..g.:

Originally Posted by lizajuk

I don't mind senior. I don't even mind Pensioner. I like 'twerly" in Brit speak for "Am I too early to use me bus pass?"..g.:

This refers to the fact that we in the UK can't use our bus passes until after 9.30am.

Originally Posted by jahbie

Sorry Lauren, I misunderstood. I thought that Jasani was offering a fun beginners class, I didn't think that fast spinning and floorwork would be included.

Well of course I was exaggerating to the point of humor to make a point. Students who choose a senior class expect it to be modified, gentler, slower. If we don't do that we're not meeting their expectations. Seniors who don't want a modified class would sign up at a different venue. That was my point -- sorry if it got lost in my lame attempt at humor.

It's not the word, it's the assumption that “senior” means elderly.

But I don't think most people assume that it does. It does *include* the elderly, though. And people who meet the senior category but aren't elderly yet will generally self-sort. You might choose to go for the 'senior' breakfast menu and accept the 'senior' discounts, but not feel ready yet for the 'senior' bellydance class. A 60 year old woman who's had multiple heart surgeries might be ready for the 'senior' bellydance class.

but in the eyes of society you will have become someone who is bound to have problems with balance, heart, joints etc. Well, some will and some won't, you just can't generalise.

I recognize that this is a hot issue for you, and I can see why. But I feel like I'm being accused of saying things I didn't say in this thread (and others about the subject). No one said seniors are 'bound to' have those conditions, for instance. We said they're more likely to.

No one is saying that everyone who is 60 has to go to the senior class. It's a choice.

Those of us who are exercise instructors are trained to look at risk factors. For example, ACSM guidelines say that men over 45 or women over 55 who have a certain number of *other* risk factors should be evaluated by a doctor before joining an exercise program. If I refuse to consider those age guidelines a risk factor because, of course, many 50 year old men DON'T have heart problems, then I'm not living up to my ACE code of ethics and they'll take away my certification. As they should.

I have to acknowledge risk factors that affect people's safety even if it pisses them off. (Obesity is a similar hot button, but unless the ACSM guidelines are changed, I'm required by my certification to consider it a risk factor).

I'm 44. My risks for every kind of cancer and cardiovascular condition are massively higher than they were 10 years ago. I don't like it, but I don't get angry at my doctor for wanting to test me more often.

Taking into consideration increased risk of certain conditions with age isn't age-ism, it's responsible exercise teaching.

When someone is getting ready to teach an older population, and asks for help, it doesn't seem helpful to just pretend like it's exactly the same as teaching any other group. It isn't.

Originally Posted by naiyahayal

50 is "elderly"??? Damn, maybe I should get my AARP card ......

..l;,..l;, Tell that to Morocco!!

Hi Lauren,
You are right, this is a hot issue for me, I react to it every time and it's time that I stopped doing it because I just never get my point across.

I don't think I accused you or others of saying things that you didn't say, either in this thread or other threads. What I did was to dispute things that were said, pointing out that these things don't apply to everyone.

If anyone felt offended I apologise.