Keeping in step: Zumba Gold allows seniors a chance to stay active with gentle dance, exercise

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Deb Sayre and Debbie Ross participated in Zumba Gold on recent Monday morning.

GREENFIELD – Latin music fills the Greenfield Senior Center’s recreation space every Monday morning, and Deb Sayre’s favorite is obvious.

It’s “the routine with attitude.”

“At 70 years old, it’s like, ‘What the heck?’”

Sayre is among a small but joyous group of participants in the center’s latest addition: Zumba Gold.

A gentler version of the dance exercise program with the same name, Zumba Gold kicked off in January at the senior center, located in the Patricia Elmore Center, 280 N. Apple St., Greenfield.

While teacher Jami Vezina began teaching yoga to seniors in the fall, she’s a Zumba enthusiast and got her Zumba Gold certification to also offer it to seniors.

“It’s way less impact (than Zumba), and a lot of the moves we’ll do a half step with it,” Vezina said.

Participants can make their moves as big or as small as they feel comfortable, she said. It’s also good for those recovering from an injury, to start getting active with a gentle form of Zumba.

“I’ve always loved teaching,” she added. “I love seeing everyone have a great time. It’s just my passion.”

Kim Voorhis, director of the senior center, said she hopes Zumba Gold can be offered at the center often; if not year-round, maybe most of the year with a break in the summer.

“I used to take Zumba,” she added. “I loved it, but with my back, I cannot jump around (anymore),” she said. “My last Zumba class, they incorporated burpees so I said, ‘I’m done.’ Zumba Gold is a gentler form of Zumba.”

While some seniors tried the new Zumba Gold program and decided it was still too fast or intense for them, Voorhis said that’s ok. Even if it’s not for everyone, it’s important to give others the chance to get out and be active. The first class is free and it’s $5 per class after that; seniors can come any Monday at 9 a.m.

A group of three women joined their teacher in a recent class, and were quick to smile about their new hobby.

“It doesn’t matter if you can dance or not, you just move,” said Debbie Ross.

Rita Reich says she comes to the senior center almost every day for one program or another, just trying to stay active and keep from going to a nursing home.

“It’s fun and we have a good time,” she said of Zumba Gold. “If you don’t move it, you lose it.”

To learn more about Zumba Gold or the Greenfield Senior Center, call 317-477-4340 or email [email protected].