By Alan Suderman
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

Belly dancing, the ancient art once practiced for the delight of caliphs and sheiks, has shaken its way into Eagle’s Trace. Residents say the activity is a great way to work out while having fun.

Wellness Coordinator Shirley Woods exhorts the belly dancing class members to “move your arms slow and sensual” along with the rhythmic drum music.

“We ought to charge admission,” says Eagle’s Trace resident Martha Hay, as people walk by the classroom where the ladies are dancing and peer in. The class giggles until Woods starts explaining a new move.

Shimmy into shape
“Bring it back to your shimmy,” Woods says. “It’s all in the knees. It may look like your hips are moving, but it’s only your knees.” After class, Hay says, “I’ve been wanting to belly dance forever, and I just love this class. It helps exercise muscles I didn’t even know I had!”

Eagle’s Trace Medical Director Mark Holden, M.D., says, “We all know that exercise is good for older adults, but we also know that exercise can be boring. Creative workouts like belly  dancing solve that boredom problem. You’re having too much fun to think about the fact that you are exercising.”

And belly dancing isn’t the only exotic way residents at Eagle’s Trace choose to stay fit.

Classy workouts
The regular tai chi classes on campus are growing in popularity—enthusiasm has even translated into sharplooking workout outfits.

“A couple of us got together and decided to get these fancy blue uniforms for our tai chi class,” says Bill Williams, who lives at Eagle’s Trace and participates in the Chinese fitness practice there. “It just makes you look a little more classy and a little more tai chi-ish, if that’s a word.”

In addition to tai chi, Williams takes yoga. This day trader says the classes keep his mind sharp for making investment decisions during the rest of the day. “It gives me enough oxygen to trade until the market closes,” Williams says.