She might not be able to dance like she used to, but Yvette Steel still has some moves to show off.
Steel danced in musical shows when she was younger, living in England. She carried on her love of acting and dancing in Orillia, having performed with Mariposa Arts Theatre and, for 10 years, the New Sunshine Festival.
Arthritis in her back sidelined her from the theatre scene, but she is getting her groove back.
“This is wonderful — to be able to move again,” she said recently at the Orillia Waterfront Centre, where she was taking part in Gentle Moves.
The program is put on by Miriam Goldberger, founder of What Dance Can Do. Gentle Moves is for those with physical, cognitive or emotional challenges.
Goldberger offered a free session for those who wanted to see what it was all about. Starting April 11, her 10-week session will take place every Wednesday, offered in partnership with the city’s parks, recreation and culture department.
Taking part in the free session were people with chronic pain, brain injury, early-stage dementia and Parkinson’s disease. As the name of the program implies, the activities are not strenuous. To the sound of uplifting music, participants did the “tree branch,” “pass the pulse” and “geyser.”
“In this group, it’s called the geezer,” one man quipped to the group of mostly seniors.
The low-pressure environment is attractive to Steel.
“You do it at your own pace. You certainly don’t feel like you’re doing something wrong,” she said, “and the dancing and the music just make you feel good.”
It’s a far cry from what Steel did in her early days of dance and theatre, but it helps fill a void in her life.
“Sometimes I get a bit sad thinking about what I used to do, but it’s a great program. I can’t really describe it. You know you can’t do what you used to do, but it’s a lovely feeling.”
That’s exactly what Goldberger intended when she started Gentle Moves. When she learned of the Dance for Parkinson’s program and began looking into research showing the benefits of dance to those with that disease or other disorders, she was sold.
“Dance has enormous benefits to chronic pain,” she said. “”People are really discovering that dance can make a huge difference in people’s lives, and the science is behind it.”
Goldberger started Gentle Moves in Orillia two years ago, but this is the first time it is being offered through the city’s parks, recreation and culture department.
“I’m delighted that the city is enthusiastic and supportive of this kind of cutting-edge, progressive program,” she said.
Her goal is to make the sessions enjoyable and stress-free.
“There’s no way to do this class wrong. It’s really easy. It’s really fun,” she said. “You end up having a good time doing something beneficial to yourself and meeting other people.”
She also has sessions planned in Barrie and Ramara. A free session in Ramara will take place April 12 from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m. at 85 Patricia Dr.
Learn more about the program by visiting whatdancecando.ca, emailing [email protected] or calling 705-716-5669.
