As Calgary’s older adult population grows, so do opportunities for physical activity — particularly in dance.
Over a decade ago, Glenis Martin was dragged kicking and screaming to her first-ever line dancing class.
Finding movement later in life
“I said, ‘If this is all country music, I’m out of there. I will go,” said Martin.
But Martin didn’t leave. But she stayed, first for that class, then for another 11 years and counting.
She went from an apprehensive student to an instructor and coordinator for the Family Leisure Centre Seniors Club in southeast Calgary, where she headed the line-dancing program.
The FLC Seniors Club, a non-profit, is a volunteer-run organization in Calgary. Through various programs, they strive to create a communal environment for seniors living in the city.
As a teacher, Martin has watched attendees improve their physical mobility and also enjoy connecting with other participants through dancing.
The science behind staying active
“Mentally, it’s good for us. Physically, it’s good for us. And then there’s also the socialization aspect,” she said.
And Martin isn’t the only one to acknowledge the benefits of moving to music. Sarah Kenny is an associate professor at the University of Calgary and a dance science researcher.
Through her work, she has found that there are many benefits for aging adults in using dance as an outlet for movement.
“We’re not only thinking about the absence of disease, but we’re thinking about the physical health, the emotional health, the social health, of humans,” said Kenny.
In recent years, a variety of programs have been popping up throughout Calgary that specifically cater to older adults looking to expand their fitness horizons.
Adapting fitness for older adults
Emily Johnson, founder of StrongerU Senior Fitness, has dedicated years to improving the physical well-being of the aging community.
StrongerU focuses on training other instructors in creating accommodating workout spaces.
“Senior fitness is really a specialty, so if someone is looking to teach senior fitness, they really want to get specialized training, because working with older adults has a lot of nuances and a lot of things that you want to watch out for,” said Johnson.
One of the key challenges seniors face in fitness is finding classes that are not tailored to their mobility and activity levels.
All these efforts to improve fitness among older adults are closely linked to better outcomes, not only in terms of health but also in socialization and overall well-being.
Connection beyond the dance floor
That social connection is something Martin remembers from her first-ever line-dancing class.
“When I first started line dancing, actually, I made friends in my very first class that I still see socially,” she said.
Like her, Martin has watched many people in her classes connect and form lasting bonds.
Participants follow a seated dance routine during a seniors fitness class in Calgary, combining movement, balance and social interaction. PHOTO SUPPLIED: EMILY JOHNSON
“For the most part, people are very social before class, during class, and after class. Sometimes they’ll go for coffee, they’ll go for lunch,” said Martin.
A space for everyone
These classes have become a way for people from older generations to meet others and come together over the shared joy that dance brings.
Whether attendees are long-time Calgarians or new to the city, these classes offer a space to try something new while connecting with others.
“You don’t have to have a partner. So if you are, let’s say, widowed or a single person, or maybe your partner doesn’t like to dance. You can line dance without any problem,” said Martin.
“And you can go to a class by yourself because you’re going to meet other people in the same situation you are.”
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