Dance movement for fun and for health

The instructor for a Dance Movement class at the Dayton Senior Center is hoping the class becomes more popular.

"There are benefits to this class," said Harriet Pfrenzinger. "It's good for cardio, and it gets your blood flowing.

"Exercise is good for anybody - especially for those with high blood pressure."

Meeting at 10 a.m. every Thursday, except the first Thursday, at the center, the class is free. Pfrenzinger, a former professional dancer and active member of the Dayton Misfits, leads her class through easy dance movements.

"We start with the shoulders, rolling and moving them up and down. Then the arms and eventually work our way down. We try to do this with grace."

Doing it with grace keeps the movements slow and easy to perform.

"We also do exercises with chairs," she said. "Place kicks - just like what you would do in a real dance class."

For Jean Mitchell, who enjoys ballet, the class was right up her alley.

"I studied ballet when I was 15 to 20," Mitchell said. "And in my mid-40s.

"Because of high cholesterol, I got into this class. I also tried fencing (for exercise), but it was too one-sided on the body. So I came back to ballet."

Mitchell wants to "get back into shape" through the class, and would like to teach the first Thursday class when Pfrenzinger is not available.

"Once I get more dance movements down and I'm in better shape, I want to teach it."

Pfrenzinger advises those who want to attend to wear comfortable shoes - no sandals.

"And loose clothing," Pfrenzinger said. "Something you can move around in.

"We have fun in this class and we do easy stuff. It's only for 30 minutes right now and it's free. How can you go wrong?"

Another class at the center specifically for women is the ladies pool (billiards) team. It meets from 10-11:30 a.m. every Tuesday.

Director Donna English said she would like to see more women involved. She welcomes senior ladies of all skill levels to join.

"You don't even have to have a skill level at pool," English said. "The goal is to improve our game.

"And maybe even challenge the men. But don't be intimidated by the game, just get involved."

For information on these and other activities at the Dayton Senior Center, call 246-6210. The center is at 321 Old Dayton Valley Road.

• Contact Rhonda Costa-Landers at rcosta-landers@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1223.