Another Zumba Gold Instructor Making a Difference
Zumba Craze Attracts Older Adults
By Lindsey Getz
Older adults are dancing their way to better health.
Chances are you’ve heard about Zumba—the new fitness dance program that has become increasingly popular across the globe. Currently 6 million people take Zumba classes each week in one of 50,000 locations in 75 countries. But what you may not know is that Zumba isn’t just for the young and fit. It’s a great way for older adults to get in shape too.
In fact, the creators of Zumba recently introduced Zumba Gold, a new version of the Latin-inspired workout, tailored to the needs of elders. Just like Zumba, it incorporates dance/fitness routines to Latin and international rhythms but is performed at a lower intensity. Trained Zumba fitness instructors at more than 2,000 locations nationwide, including fitness clubs, community centers, YMCAs, rehabilitation centers, and retirement communities, offer the program.
“Zumba Gold is specifically targeted to the baby boomer generation and beyond,” explains Diane Felkenes, a 51-year-old Zumba instructor who lost about 135 pounds doing the program. She also teaches Zumba Gold at a cardiac rehabilitation center. “Zumba Gold was born out of the fact that there were a lot of people who wanted to do Zumba but couldn’t keep up with the fast-moving pace or handle the impact of the regular version. I, myself, find Zumba Gold excellent, as I have some physical limitations as a result of very bad knees. With this version, it’s a little gentler on the body, but you still get the full effect of the Latin flavor and the benefit of the moving and the dancing.” ( Congratulations Diane)
Zumba Gold class in Bolton: 5 things you should know
By Staff reports GateHouse News Service
Bolton —
1 “Love it” and “energizing and fun” describe how members feel about their Monday morning Zumba Gold class that is held in Bolton. A moderate exercise and fitness program that combines upbeat Latin and international music and easy to follow dance moves, Zumba Gold is a fun way to stay healthy and fit. It’s a great program for active older adults and people who are not used to exercising or who have certain physical limitations.
2 The class is sponsored by the Friends of Bolton Seniors (FOBS), a non-profit group in town whose mission is to provide support for seniors by perpetuating their dignity and well-being. Three years ago FOBS conducted a Senior Center survey and from that survey, seniors expressed an interest for some sort of exercise program. Today, FOBS offers Chair Yoga at the Senior Center and the Zumba Gold class at Davis Hall.
3 Zumba fitness instructor Terry Myers Coney begins each hour-long class with low intensity movements designed to warm up the muscles and increase body temperature in preparation for the workout to come. First, the cumbia, a flirty dance that begins with a forward and back step of the left foot with the left arm following as if holding the hem of a skirt, then the same step with the right foot and arm, then a movement that resembles holding a machete and cutting grass in the field, the arm slashing forward, then upright and then behind. Next a salsa number, followed by the meringue, tango and cha cha. The rhythm pulses, feet and arms are moving to the beat and hips are swaying. Another favorite routine is the belly dance because members get to wear different colored scarfs with bangles tied around their waists. The class ends with a soothing cool down of stretching exercises.
4 Coney certainly knows her stuff. She went through teacher training for Zumba Gold three years ago and is licensed by Zumba to teach classes. Coney teaches Zumba Gold in Stow and Concord, in addition to Bolton. She is also a certified Kripalu yoga teacher and has a group fitness instructor certification from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.
5 Bolton’s Zumba Gold class is held on Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the First Parish Church, Davis Hall, 673 Main St. in Bolton. Join the fun! A new eight-week session begins Feb. 13; the cost is $24 for Bolton seniors and $40 for non-Bolton seniors or anyone under the age of 60. For information contact Mary at 978-779-5145 in Bolton, Mass.. (great work Terry. Keep it up and you'll stay young forever!!)
By Lindsey Getz
Older adults are dancing their way to better health.
Chances are you’ve heard about Zumba—the new fitness dance program that has become increasingly popular across the globe. Currently 6 million people take Zumba classes each week in one of 50,000 locations in 75 countries. But what you may not know is that Zumba isn’t just for the young and fit. It’s a great way for older adults to get in shape too.
In fact, the creators of Zumba recently introduced Zumba Gold, a new version of the Latin-inspired workout, tailored to the needs of elders. Just like Zumba, it incorporates dance/fitness routines to Latin and international rhythms but is performed at a lower intensity. Trained Zumba fitness instructors at more than 2,000 locations nationwide, including fitness clubs, community centers, YMCAs, rehabilitation centers, and retirement communities, offer the program.
“Zumba Gold is specifically targeted to the baby boomer generation and beyond,” explains Diane Felkenes, a 51-year-old Zumba instructor who lost about 135 pounds doing the program. She also teaches Zumba Gold at a cardiac rehabilitation center. “Zumba Gold was born out of the fact that there were a lot of people who wanted to do Zumba but couldn’t keep up with the fast-moving pace or handle the impact of the regular version. I, myself, find Zumba Gold excellent, as I have some physical limitations as a result of very bad knees. With this version, it’s a little gentler on the body, but you still get the full effect of the Latin flavor and the benefit of the moving and the dancing.” ( Congratulations Diane)
Zumba Gold class in Bolton: 5 things you should know
By Staff reports GateHouse News Service
Bolton —
1 “Love it” and “energizing and fun” describe how members feel about their Monday morning Zumba Gold class that is held in Bolton. A moderate exercise and fitness program that combines upbeat Latin and international music and easy to follow dance moves, Zumba Gold is a fun way to stay healthy and fit. It’s a great program for active older adults and people who are not used to exercising or who have certain physical limitations.
2 The class is sponsored by the Friends of Bolton Seniors (FOBS), a non-profit group in town whose mission is to provide support for seniors by perpetuating their dignity and well-being. Three years ago FOBS conducted a Senior Center survey and from that survey, seniors expressed an interest for some sort of exercise program. Today, FOBS offers Chair Yoga at the Senior Center and the Zumba Gold class at Davis Hall.
3 Zumba fitness instructor Terry Myers Coney begins each hour-long class with low intensity movements designed to warm up the muscles and increase body temperature in preparation for the workout to come. First, the cumbia, a flirty dance that begins with a forward and back step of the left foot with the left arm following as if holding the hem of a skirt, then the same step with the right foot and arm, then a movement that resembles holding a machete and cutting grass in the field, the arm slashing forward, then upright and then behind. Next a salsa number, followed by the meringue, tango and cha cha. The rhythm pulses, feet and arms are moving to the beat and hips are swaying. Another favorite routine is the belly dance because members get to wear different colored scarfs with bangles tied around their waists. The class ends with a soothing cool down of stretching exercises.
4 Coney certainly knows her stuff. She went through teacher training for Zumba Gold three years ago and is licensed by Zumba to teach classes. Coney teaches Zumba Gold in Stow and Concord, in addition to Bolton. She is also a certified Kripalu yoga teacher and has a group fitness instructor certification from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America.
5 Bolton’s Zumba Gold class is held on Mondays from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., at the First Parish Church, Davis Hall, 673 Main St. in Bolton. Join the fun! A new eight-week session begins Feb. 13; the cost is $24 for Bolton seniors and $40 for non-Bolton seniors or anyone under the age of 60. For information contact Mary at 978-779-5145 in Bolton, Mass.. (great work Terry. Keep it up and you'll stay young forever!!)