Thread: seniors HELP!

I asked this elsewhere, but was hoping for some further insight. I am teaching at a senior center tomorrow. I typically teach a very high energy workout class and the director of the senior center asked me to teach a workout for the seniors. How would you guys do it? Typically in a workout, I don't breakdown the movements in a lot of detail (I do for technique/choreography courses.) I basically want everyone to sweat and get a great workout. I am concerned it will be too much for the seniors though. Could someone tell me the exact format you would use for a senior bellydance workout class? Thanks!

I would start by assessing their abilities via a warm-up: can they walk easily in time to the music? After a minute or so of walking warm-up, can they easily raise and lower their arms? As you know, any arm movements above chest level really increase the heart rate. Are they relaxed or tired after an easy, basic warm-up? Can they talk easily afterwards? Is there anyone gasping for breath or looking grey/white in the face?

For a first class and until you become better acquainted with this particular group, I wouldn't bother too much with technique per se but rather the *flavour* of Oriental Dance. Try some easy step combos, relaxed hip bumps and hip shimmies, and arm poses, for example, making sure they don't lock the knees or shift too much energy into their hip joints.

Easy, light, fun -- whatever it takes to make them feel happy and successful and know they got a workout at the same time.

Good luck!


Khalida

no impact, use more arm movements to increase heart rate, I wouldn't go over more than 118 - 128 bpm in terms of music. Be prepared to give modifications, teach at 1/4 time, then half time, then full time.

A lot will depend on just how "senior" the students are and what their existing fitness level is. It could be that you need to shift the focus from sweating and heart pounding to increased range of motion and flexibility.

Originally Posted by Souzan

A lot will depend on just how "senior" the students are and what their existing fitness level is. It could be that you need to shift the focus from sweating and heart pounding to increased range of motion and flexibility.

Exactly. This Senior teaches young women who ask her to slow down.
But if this is a one off introduction you are indeed giving a flavour. And you do need to investigate whatever fitness programmes they already have.
Yo cannot assume anything. These seniors may pratise yoga and be as flexible as many a young thang. They may climb mountains or they may spend a lot of time sitting an armchair. Ask the staff. Approriate warm up and stretch etc then and intro to basic moves..drops,lifts,circles.
Choose music carefully to suit the age group..even as a youngish senior I get irritited by techno and booming base...g.: Why not have pictures of people like the Tahia and Samia and Fifi and soheir if these are "senior seniors" and more melodic Egyptian music to hand . I have given talks to senior clubs to people in their late 70s and 80s and they loved the Egyptian film snips and the similarity to the Hollywood song and dance movies

I know it is past the day, but for anyone else reading this....Always emphasize that they should not do movements which are not comfortable or have been forbidden by a doctor! Get to class early and mingle with the participants-introduce yourself to each one and ask directly what sort of pain/doctor restrictions they may have. Don't forget to give water breaks frequently.
Also, my Senior ladies tell me they appreciate repetition. I love my Seniors-they watch intently, don't get bored by repetition, and are just so much fun!
Nikki

Yes, all the advice above is great. I do senior workshops and tone it down - sweating & cardio is not on the agenda; moving with grace, toning, improving range of motion is. I do a lot of the same warm up & drills as in my beginner classes, but slower, smaller, less vigorously, & definitely do let them know do not force anything.
Younger seniors certainly may desire a more stepped up scenario, but as other posters have mentioned, it depends on what type of age group.
Mine are typically in health care facilities. I also give movement (not bellydance per se) workshops to the acitvities directors to show them how to do movement fun with their seniors, such as arm movements, shoulder accents and such, while seated. Since I am primarily a Bellydancer and love it above all others :-) , that's how I gear my motion.

Oh, & PS, I love lizajuk's advice about the Egyptian golden era movies!

i don't have teaching experience yet (starting in Jan, so excited!), so this is coming from a student perspective and please take it as such: don't underestimate how much of a work out drilling proper technique can be, esp when working core muscles you didn't know you had. i remember when i was starting being surprised at how one can work up a sweat standing in one place.
core strength is very important for bones and balance, which can be very helpful for seniors. obviously it depends on how active they are/have been, but most people of any age can use more core work and if you have to fight for bone density because of hormonal changes then it's even more important.
so yheah, core moves for a low impact work out might be well suited?

Past the date but here's something we dealt with in Senior Centers. We often had ladies in wheelchairs or using walkers so we had to be prepared to focus on upper body movement. If the group had more mobility we had to be prepared for movement. Spins were not an option. We knew zils were not acceptable - arthritic fingers and hearing aides = bad idea. We found working with the lovely seniors was not only a learning experience for us but also tons of fun.