Thread: Teaching the 55+ crowd

I am being encouraged to offer classes specifically geared to the 55+ age group and am seeking advice. Although I have had many students over the years who are over 55 (I think my oldest was 75 or so), it wasn't in a class specifically marketed to that constituency.

I recall some folks here on Bhuz mentioning that they offer classes in a sort of "low key" format for those who might need a slower/gentler pace (due to age or a physical condition) and I'm wondering how these classes differ from what I can only describe as a "standard" class? Do you avoid certain movements? Do you focus on certain types of movements?

Please note that I'm not assuming that because somebody's over 55 that he/she is ready for the rocking chair! For heaven's sake, no! I'm too close to 55 myself (not yet 50, but closing in fast) to be thinking that way -- and I feel great! And my mom would still be actively teaching at 77, if she were physically able.

Do I even need to adjust from a "standard" class? Perhaps a longer warm-up period is all that's needed . . .

I appreciate all your comments and suggestions, fellow Bhuzzers!

Deborah

I have a group of medical professional students, most of which are 50 and up.

Don't do head slides! LOL. Mine hate that!

A longer warm-up is great, especially for people who sit for a living (office workers). I would introduce them to gentle Egyptian technique, and keep a medium pace. Mine liked a lot of repetition of the same thing, like drilling Step-hip across the floor. Older people (in my experience) seem to like repeating what they know and can do well.

I saw a lot of limitations in spinal flexibility, so I taught internal undulations rather than the big camel walk things. Hip circles were easy for my girls; chest circles were not. I saw a LOT of people unable to separate the two halves of their body, so shoulder shimmies took the entire body with them. We spent a lot of time fixing that.

I taught a really short pop choreography, but what they REALLY loved was veil. I hate veil, but my students go crazy for it, especially the older ones.

We did cymbals SLOWLY. They liked them, but could never really do much more than step-hip with triple/gallop/longa, but that seemed to satisfy them.

My first class was a class full of seniors, one of them was 77 back then and she's still with me.

I don't think there are any moves you need to avoid, except for maybe the Egyptian shimmy (which I don't teach to beginners anyway) since there will probably be many people with knee problems. Of course it will be a slower class than when you teach people in their 20 and 30s, but it's very rewarding to see how many benefits they get from belly dance. Though their memories tend not to be so great they enjoy learning very simple choreos to see the steps they've learned previously go into a dance, we're talking a few weeks into the class.

How much to adjust your standard class depends on how much of a workout it is. Some people's standard class is slower than my senior class, but then again I'm a fitness instructor and have a better idea of how much is too much than someone with little to no knowledge of anatomy, but that's a whole other subject.

Oh yeah, they probably won't be able to go on releve. If you have your standard class with arms in 5th position for a while avoid this if there's anyone in the class with high blood pressure.

And like Aziyade said they love veil, so my advice is to not introduce it too early or they might not want to do anything else and not get all the benefits BD can offer. I know snake arms helped someone who had little mobility on one side because of a stroke. If you want to I can ask them what moves helped them with what condition.

Decreased flexibility and wonky knees - While I'm not a teacher, these are two things I've noticed in myself and in others.

For me at 53 teaching folks my own age - They need assurance that they do not need to bare the midriff, that they will learn this with muscle memory rather like that time we learned to drive and couldnt take our hands off the wheel for a second and now we can apply eyeliner while talking on the phone and driving down the mountain pass where I live Lots of reassurance that everybody feels they are in possesion of a spastic animal instead of a body at first. Mamma doesnt rent space in their head, so they are now free to be "bad girls" and push the pubis forward or cause the breasts to move. Jiggle is good! Lots of reassurance that feeling good, sexy, and positive about the body they own now is just as important as trying to get the body they want. Most of them just want a little exercise and some social fun, and will not ever be too serious about the dance. At that age, their aspirations are different. I, however, still want to be a SUPERSTAR! It could happen....

Interesting. To me it seems like the Egyptian shimmy might actually help my knees. (I am 55. However I've had 7 or 8 yrs of belly dance, been doing yoga for a long time, and do pilates, crunches, aerobics.) Lately one of my teachers has been doing a huge amount of shimmies. The next morning when I wake up, my knees are a little stiff, which seems like a good thing to me, since they are sometimes overly mobile. I would like to hear more comments about this.

I was diagnosed with rheumatiod arthritis at age 6. Lots of knee damage. This is the only physical activity (aside from swimming) that I can do for prolonged periods of time. I am comfortable with all types of shimmies. The biggest factor for me is to avoid torsion in the knee joint. I train to release twisting action of the knee by taking the weight off of the ball of the foot.

I just had my 60th birthday and have been wanting to teach a boomers and beyond class. One thing to remember about the 55+ crowd is that while we are of an age when were taught how to walk in tight skirts and sit without showing anything furry, we were also the generation of Woodstock, the Stones, Vietnam war protests, tie dye, etc, etc.

Decades of sitting at a desk can do a number on upper body flexibility, shoulders, hands, elbows. You don't need to teach "lite" just be prepared for longer warmups, stretching, and students that may take longer to get range of motion in some movements.

But keep in mind that a 55+ gal has so much life experience to relate to the dance. And something does happen to you at 50 when you realize that you are half a century old and you can do whatever you damn well please!

Your older gals may just surprise you!

Souzan (Red-headed and getting better every day!)

I would also add that while these women might like veil, they may also have difficulty with it due to limited flexibility in the shoulder and upper body area. Perhaps it's taught differently elsewhere, but veil in my neck of the woods is quite hard work and many dancers who cannot keep a flat upper back and extend their arms back a little not only have trouble with veil, but can be hurt when trying to do it. If people can't raise their arms right up by their ears, some kinds of veil work should definitely be avoided.

Believe me, if they can't do it (or don't want to), they'll let you know! One thing about us Boomers, we're not afraid to belly up, pony up, or speak up!! ..l;,

My 55+ gals do appreciate a good stretch at the end of class, but other than that, they're like the Energizer Bunny, they just keep going!


Donna - 61 -
(Teaching 3 classes a week after a full day at the office.)

My classes are such a great grab bag of women. At least 40% of my students are over 50 and they are the best students in my opinion. I keep it a standard class, but everyone knows, no matter their age, physical limitations or level of daily exercise, that I can and will re-format a move to fit their specific needs. For example, when I do arm stylization, I show a move and then show 2 other ways of doing the same move if they have a difficult time raising their arms that high or flexing their fingers due to arthritis. I show several variations of one move and allow them to try them out until they find the one that feels the best on their body. I also keep reminding them that to "belly dance", you don't need to perform every single move precise, you need to make each move that you love your own.

It's the other way around for me ..I am 60 and the students range from early 20s to 50s.
Believe me when you are 60, you have learnt where your "frailties" are!
I watch my lower back, don't do floor work and the head slides ar minimal. Apart from that, I leave 'em sweating at the end of the "follow me sessions". The older ones are also more at pains ( oops wrong analogy) to get the technique, I find.
Just take 'em and feel your way. They may surprise you . The problems will be with those who have been innactive but even the less sporty oldies will have done more manual housework and walking than ever modern miss does.
All my students have to fill in a fit to dance form and at least with oldies, it's more interesting to read.

Originally Posted by zumarrad

I would also add that while these women might like veil, they may also have difficulty with it due to limited flexibility in the shoulder and upper body area. Perhaps it's taught differently elsewhere, but veil in my neck of the woods is quite hard work and many dancers who cannot keep a flat upper back and extend their arms back a little not only have trouble with veil, but can be hurt when trying to do it. If people can't raise their arms right up by their ears, some kinds of veil work should definitely be avoided.

About a year ago I attended a seminar taught by an Old School Greek guy, Ergailis Kra?? Oh, I can't spell his name....His veil work was quite different from both Egyptian and the modern stuff. He taught swirling the veil with the arms low, spinning with the arms low. With a full skirt the visual effect was wonderful! The hip work and dance steps part of the seminar was pretty strenuous, but the veil work was soft and sensuous.

Ok I'm not over 55 yet -- although some mornings I fell like I'm 110! ;)

Everybody is different, and everyone's body changes over time, and the times are a-changin' too. About the ONLY thing you can count on is a mixed crowd. Some of them might be in great physical condition, others in ok shape, and some barely able to move.

Let the students guide you in terms of what they can and can not do. Put an easy version of the move out there, and a harder one, let them do whichever they can. Communication is the key! Ask them - does this hurt? Do you feel uncomfortable doing this? And most important -- How did they feel a day or two after your class??

As others have pointed out, lots of us (even under 55) came from homes where people act as if everything from the neck down is evil. Reassure them that our bodies naturally move this way, and God made our bodies, therefore, it's ok to move them! If God did not want us to do this move or that, he would have used a different design.

Originally Posted by anala

For me at 53 teaching folks my own age - They need assurance that they do not need to bare the midriff, that they will learn this with muscle memory rather like that time we learned to drive and couldnt take our hands off the wheel for a second and now we can apply eyeliner while talking on the phone and driving down the mountain pass where I live Lots of reassurance that everybody feels they are in possesion of a spastic animal instead of a body at first. Mamma doesnt rent space in their head, so they are now free to be "bad girls" and push the pubis forward or cause the breasts to move. Jiggle is good! Lots of reassurance that feeling good, sexy, and positive about the body they own now is just as important as trying to get the body they want. Most of them just want a little exercise and some social fun, and will not ever be too serious about the dance. At that age, their aspirations are different. I, however, still want to be a SUPERSTAR! It could happen....

i loved reading this, anala. :)

So, here's what I've gleaned from all your wonderful replies:

1. A "standard" class is fine, perhaps with more warm up; these folks might actually like to drill!

2. Although I already discuss range-of-motion-type issues in my classes, perhaps mention it more frequently/explain it more thoroughly; keep in mind to remind and encourage about movement/placement options (especially back/shoulder).

3. I currently beat my students over the head about proper knee alignment (well, whole body alignment, really), so just keep doing that!

4. Invest in more practice veils!

5. Expect the unexpected!

6. Have fun!

Thanks so much, everybody! If more info/advise is out there, I'd love to read it!

Deborah