if you had experience working with 60+ year olds, teaching chair aerobics or anything, please share!!! What is it like working with older people? Have you worked with de-conditioned AND conditioned older adults? what was that like for both situations?
I've taught jazz dance to seniors at a senior community center in Honolulu. It was a humbling experience and an exercise of my own in patience as I am used to working with professional dancers, college and high school aged students.
I had to modify my choreography and select music that would be acceptable to seniors. (slower music and neutral lyrics) We spent more time on stretching during the warm up. Choreography had to be symmetrical to ensure they could keep balance and it made it easier for them to remember the moves.
As usual, like any class they need lots of encouragement but do not want to be babied. I find that seniors also do not tell you when something hurts. So I had to be more observant to their facial expressions and had to ask whether or not the movement felt right for them.
June 21st, 2009 at 8:20 pm
I taught them for a while and used a treadmill on slow. they liked it and all felt better afterwards. Here's a cool site to tell you what I mean. Good luck.
References :
http://www.onlinehealthmart.net/treadmill-exercise-for-the-elderly
June 21st, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I've taught jazz dance to seniors at a senior community center in Honolulu. It was a humbling experience and an exercise of my own in patience as I am used to working with professional dancers, college and high school aged students.
I had to modify my choreography and select music that would be acceptable to seniors. (slower music and neutral lyrics) We spent more time on stretching during the warm up. Choreography had to be symmetrical to ensure they could keep balance and it made it easier for them to remember the moves.
As usual, like any class they need lots of encouragement but do not want to be babied. I find that seniors also do not tell you when something hurts. So I had to be more observant to their facial expressions and had to ask whether or not the movement felt right for them.
References :