It's new, it's lively, it's the latest 'buzz' word, the latest craze!

Everywhere you go there are posters showing a size Zero, 6 pack 'hottie,
 wearing teeny weeny shorts with a miniscule, sweat soaked vest!
Great, she's way, way, fitter than me!

 
Probably as fit as I was at age 19.
 
My exercise back then was square bashing,
12 mile runs in uniform, including boots and a full back pack. 
Taking part in Ten Tours, a 2 day 50 mile march across Dartmoor.
For fun, after Church Parade on a Sunday I would pop around the Assault course.

Could I do it now? Um? No!

Could I do Zumba now? Um?

 Well perhaps for 5 minutes before I stagger to the nearest chair!

So why are Linedance teachers from all parts of the country reporting that their dancers,
mostly women of mature years,
are being approached and actively recruited by Zumba Instructors?

Flyers are being stuck on car windscreens outside Linedance classes,
in some places dancers are finding that as they leave their class,
 a young, smiling woman is greeting them with leaflets in hand,
wanting to tell them all about her new class in Zumba!

Many of these Linedancers are in their 50's 60's 70's & 80's!
 
Last week I found a Zumba class poster placed over my Linedance Class poster
on the notice board outside the hall that I have taught in for 15 & 1/2 years.
There was space on the notice board so I could not think why my details
 needed to be partialy covered?

To my mind there is room for all forms of exercise,
 we do need to be sensible to the needs of our pupils though,
most women under 35, without disabilites or very overweight would probably be fine
with fast moving exercise, as long as they warm up adequately first.

 
There are exeptions to every rule,
 
I knew a lady of 72 who went to the USA and cycled across it on her fold up Moulton bike.
I'll be 64 in March and am looking forward to teaching Linedance for at least the next 10 years.

So there may be some mature folk who will take up this latest craze and be fitter and happier for it,
however it needs to be their choice,
they need to be allowed time to think about what is good for them 
not be coerced into it for the few extra £'s it will put into an instructors pocket. 

The 4th Annual Manchester Retirement show is being set up as I 'go to press', I have promised to be there of course! Hopefully lots of my dancers will once again show up to help the 2 days go with a swing!
The organisers asked me to find them a Belly Dance Teacher, which I have done this evening, I have just been speaking to a lovely, very busy lady, who teaches all over the country, she is based in Eccles, not only as a teacher but as a producer of all those exotic costumes that belly dancers need to look good whilst practicing their art.
I will put her web details on here as soon as I have them.