The dancer slows her frantic pace
In pain and desperation,
Her aching limbs and downcast face
Aglow with perspiration…
Stiff as wire, her lungs on fire,
With just the briefest pause
The flooding through her memory,
The echoes of old applause.
— “Losing It” by Rush (1982)
While these words might express the resignation some people might feel upon approaching old age, other people at that time are just beginning to adjust their dancing shoes.
A small collection of senior citizens in West New York last week attended a Senior Dance Class organized by West New York Mayor Albio Sires and the West New York Board of Commissioners.
Led by dance instructor Pedro Delgado, the seniors were already in full swing when the Reporter arrived. Focused mainly on Latin dance steps set to various music styles such as “Salsa,” “Merengue,” “Paso Doble” and “Bachata,” the nine seniors present appeared to be deeply concentrating on the steps.
The class, which meets once a week on Fridays, gives West New York’s seniors a chance to move and to socialize, which may be even more important than the physical benefits.
Said West New York resident Charles Peterson, “I like to learn the different steps. I like coming here especially for the comradeship. It’s very physical and athletic.”
West New York resident Leonore Rodriquez echoed Peterson’s sentiments. “We hope they continue [the classes],” he said. “Everybody is friendly here. We like meeting each other.”
The combination of physical exertion and social stimulation had an energizing effect on everyone present.
Said instructor Delgado, “It is very important for them to move their bodies. To keep moving. It keeps them happy.”
Delgado, who also teaches tai chi to seniors, is a proponent of “motion” and the positive effects it has on the body, especially as it ages. The difference between dancing and tai chi, explained Delgado, is this: “Dancing detoxifies and channels energy, while tai chi moves energy and in turn, you accumulate that energy.”
According to www.nursingcenter.com, tai chi chuan (or tai chi for short) “… combines physical movement, meditation and breathing to induce relaxation and tranquility of mind and to improve balance, posture, coordination, endurance, strength, and flexibility.”
Said West New York resident Ronni Wade, “Pedro really got me here. He is a tai chi master and I knew he would do a great job with this.”
And judging by the foreheads being dabbed and the water bottles being drained, the Latin dancing was having the same effect.
Arthur Graves, a West New York resident for 58 years, said, “The exercise and the chance to learn something different is why I come. I know some ballroom dancing to an extent. This is a little strenuous at my age but I like it.”
Originally, 30 seniors signed up for the classes, but according to Mayra Padilla of the West New York Community Center, “with the cold weather lately, many of them can’t make it. For the intrepid few that do make it out, an hour of exercise, socialization and music is to be had.”
Perhaps Patricia Murray of West New York said it best: “We’re all seniors and this is what we want to do. We have such a love of life. The community gets together. I want to have a grace in life.”