Published: April 25, 2007 09:15 pm            

Fitness classes for all ages at Wabash Senior Center range from tai chi to belly dancing … and it’s cheap, too

TERRE HAUTE — The sign at Fifth and Poplar streets can be misleading. Yes, the three-story brick building is the Wabash Senior Citizens Center, but “there’s a whole lot that goes on here that’s not only for seniors,” said Karen Burkeybyle, marketing director for the center. She wants the community to know that the center’s activities, including its fitness classes, are open to all ages. “Everything’s rockin’ here but the chairs,” she said.

In fact, while most downtown venues close by sundown, the senior center hosts dancing or cards until at least 9 p.m. nearly every day. Options for fitness include yoga, tai chi, line dance, partner dance, belly dance, Jazzercise, walking and, beginning in June, a weight-training class. “We’re the best-kept secret in town,” said Executive Director Josie Blake.

From the rhythmic shimmies of belly dancing to the relaxing flow of tai chi, more and more people are discovering the secret. Seven-year-old Lexy came to the Tuesday night belly dance class with her mother, an ISU student who started attending after noticing the sign outside and the price – $2 per session. “It’s affordable,” she said.

Bonnie Derry invited her friend Shirley to attend last week’s belly dance class. Derry was in her second week and found a comfortable spot in the back row. She likes the age diversity at the center. “It’s not all old ladies here,” Derry said.

Maydine Payne started coming to tai chi three weeks ago. “I had a stroke and [the doctor] wanted me to do tai chi.” Payne is a beginner but attended the advanced class Tuesday morning because her schedule conflicted with the beginners class. She took breaks as needed and moved around the room to watch more-experienced students. “I think I learn more by following,” she said.

Instructor Denise Duggan stood in the front of the second-story hall, but she hardly said a word as the group moved from one five-minute routine to the next, eventually incorporating brightly colored fans and long swords into this “soft” martial art with its roots in ancient China. Some participants moved together, others used different movements. “You do it to your own ability,” Duggan said.

Something for everyone is a theme at the center. Its monthly calendar should silence any claims that “there’s nothing to do in Terre Haute.” Luaus, picnics, Spanish classes, casino trips, computer classes, Cinco de Mayo party, dances, nutrition classes, book discussions, art lessons, board games, crafts and euchre are just some of the activities offered. “We have some members who come at 9 in the morning, come downstairs all red-cheeked [after tai chi], stay for another class, leave for lunch and return that evening,” Burkeybyle said. “We’re boomin’ around here”

Last year, the center averaged about 10 new members a month, Burkeybyle said. Since January, more than 100 members have joined. She suspects that new programming has contributed to this increase. Belly dancing, yoga and jazzercise are some of the newest offerings.

Membership is $30 per year for people younger than 50 and $25 for 50 and older. While membership is not required for any of the classes, it can amount to significant savings for tai chi and other center activities such as the singles club, which includes a social group, dance group, fitness group and dance night. Tai chi costs $15 per month for members and $30 for nonmembers and includes access to all daily tai chi classes. All dance classes and yoga are $2 per session. Jazzercise is $5 per session. Burkeybyle explained that Jazzercise is more expensive to facilitate because it is a nationally branded exercise program that requires a nationally certified instructor.

Dance is a major component of life at the center. Half an hour after tai chi ended Tuesday morning, another group gathered to the tune of country-western music for line dance class. Beginner and advanced line dance classes meet several times a week, and partner dance lessons, including two-step, swing, country and Latin, are offered Thursday evening.

Pat Currie instructs the belly dance class and recently earned her black belt in tae kwon do. Her doctor will not allow her to continue that “hard” martial art because of a knee injury, but she attends tai chi each morning at the center.

Currie is passionate about belly dancing. “When you dance,” she said to her students, “you are a sensuous woman, no matter your size.” She welcomed new students to the class with handouts about the physiology and history of belly dance. Citing one theory of the dance’s origins, she said it started in the harems of the Middle East but was performed only among women and not for a male audience. “The core muscles used are important for childbirth,” she said.

Though Currie performs with groups across the state, she said the class at the senior center is the only belly dance venue she knows of in Terre Haute. She spoke eagerly about hosting a belly dance show on Oct. 13 at the center. Because of growing demand, Currie will begin offering advanced and beginner classes in August. For now, beginners can take their time and receive help from more-experienced dancers. One dancer who first learned belly dancing 30 years ago in New York helps Currie teach new dancers.

Just as tai chi and belly dance exercise every muscle in the body, Duggan and Currie said, the senior center is growing as a venue to provide exercise and activity for more people in the Wabash Valley. Burkeybyle said she had been dancing at the center for 15 years and served on the board of directors for three years, “but I still had no idea how busy this place is,” until she joined the staff as marketing director three months ago.

Burkeybyle now has the job of turning the building at Fifth and Poplar streets into the worst-kept secret in town. If satisfied customers are a good marketing strategy, she should have plenty of help.

        

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