Dance your way through your blues, they say. Cityfolks are actually doing it. And the blues? Middle age crises blues! Menopausal blues and flab, to boot. a “Yes,” says a vivacious Dr. Lissamma Jose, a consultant gynaecologist . ‘‘When you reach middle age, your life becomes sedentary for your responsibilities are lesser. You tend to be a couch potato, while changing lifestyle and food habits lead to ungainly weight gain. With the onset of menopause, you are weighed down by a host of psychological and physiological ailments. You can easily dance your way out of all these.'' she states.
Positive mode
While yoga and meditation have been doing the rounds, innovative Kochiites have recently opted to dance away their blues. Dr.Chitra Gangadharan, gyneacologist (oncology surgeon) says, ‘‘Dancing not only revitalises your mind and body, but puts you on a positive mode. It packs you with confidence to meet life's challenges. The feel-good factor is certainly high.'' So while gen-next is foot-tapping to salsa, hip hop and cha-cha, their moms are busy gyrating to Bollywood numbers like ‘Kajrare- kajrare…' to the amazement of their grey haired hubbies. They swirl and spin on the stage in glitzy costumes and blush in ecstasy at the ovation from the audience. At family get-togethers, association meets or anniversary celebrations, they showcase this newfound talent. Dancemaster Rajesh George of Cochin Electrobattles says, ‘‘Most of the ladies who enrol have never learnt dancing. So we have to start them on the basics with one or two steps at a time. Within a few months they develop the confidence to dance on stage.'' Salsa, hiphop, cinematic dance and contemporary theme styles are his forte. The women in the 41-55 age group are an enthusiastic lot, thrilled at being students all over again.
‘‘Squatting on the floor, kneeling down in church, climbing the stairs has become easy as pie. Your joints do not groan or your bones creak. The afternoon snooze is limited to forty winks or less for it is time to rush to the dance class. You are back to being the little girl in pigtails, giggling and sharing tit bits with chums.'' quip some of the ladies.
Form of exercise
The exercise part of the dance regime keeps them in fine fettle. Osteoporosis and arthritis have been forbidden to cross the Line of Control. There is of course the flip side, says Meera Nair. ‘‘You have to do your home work, and rehearse regularly. Without mastering the previous steps you cannot move on to the next.'' Not the lazybones' cup of tea.
For Rani Alex a homemaker, it is the sense of accomplishment after she masters a dance sequence which is thrilling. ‘‘You have learnt it from scratch. You cannot but voice your surprise ‘‘Oh I never imagined I could do this at my age,''she gushes.
Dance teacher Kalamandalam Beena feels that one can take up dancing at any age. It is easier for those who are basically talented. But teaching older women require lot of patience because repetitions are often necessary. Bharathi Poduval started learning dance after she became a mother, and still dances as a grandmother. Oscillating between mohiniyattom, bharathanatyam, and thiruvathirakali she vouches for dancing as the best way to maintain a trim figure. Do not fret if you do not have a Rujuta Diwekar on hand. (Kareena Kapoor's dietician, remember?) Put on your dancing bells (chilanka) and chance pe dance. No need to turn away from those sinfully sweet kaju katlis or chocolate truffle cakes either, or down bowls of cereals thrice a day or rub oils into your body till your palms are sore. Throw inhibitions to the winds and dance your way into jeans, leggies or skirts. Age is after all, just a number. Get started!
