HERE'S something to sit up and take notice of. Seated dance workouts have begun in Mandurah for people with limited mobility or balance concerns.
Taught by Lifespan founder and dance artist Paige Gordon, the classes begin seated to warm the torso, upper body, arms and feet through choreographed sequences.
They move into standing options for those who wish, using the chair for balance for plie exercises, stretches and dance sequences.
"When we begin class, I see an immediate shift in mood and a sense of joy," Paige said.
"The dancers grow in confidence as they become more aware of their bodies, their capabilities.
"They begin to enjoy moving in different ways with different movement qualities."
Last year, Paige's seated dancers took part in the Mandurah Arts Festival, where they presented Wingspan, a sequence inspired by the movement of local estuary birds.
It featured a stunning debut performance by 95-year-old Ann Cornish that demonstrated the transformative power of dance.
Classes are held at social centres, aged care residences and retirement villages. They are endorsed by Dance for Parkinsons Australia and were recently nominated in the Australia Day Awards (City of Mandurah).
Studio classes are held at Wembley Community Centre (Fridays 11.30am-12.30pm) and Mandurah Performing Arts Centre (Mondays 10-11am).
Phone 0411-243-317 or email lifespan.dance@gmail.com for more information.
