Time at the barre keeps senior ballerinas youthful by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 27 | Thursday, October 15, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Linda May Kolodziej no longer hears her toes crack when she slips on her ballet shoes. Instead, with every moment she has at the ballet barre each week, her 67-yearold body feels younger. Kolodziej is among a handful of women, 55 and older, taking a basic ballet class tailored to their abilities at Artistic Dance Scene on Speers Road. The weekly class was recently brought to Oakville by former professional dancer Fiona Crosier, who has been teaching similar classes in Burlington each week over the last year. Kolodziej, who heard about the class from a friend while playing badminton at Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre (QEPCCC), says the new experience has been so uplifting for her. In fact, it's been so The first week, I thought i was going to die.... enjoyable, the Oakville Now, I'm much stronger.... You stand up straighter, resident has created a your comportment is better and you feel younger. No personal diary chronicling her thoughts, experiences matter how old you are, it's good to get out and try and transformation as a new things. It's amazing how young it keeps you. beginner "silver-haired ballerina." "The first week I thought I Linda May Kolodziej was going to die," Kolodziej told the Oakville Beaver. "Now, I'm much stronger.... young it keeps you." and improves memory You stand up straighter, your Ballet-based exercises because of the routines you comportment is better and increase balance, posture have to learn and practice you feel younger." Kolodziej is eager to learn and record her experience in hopes of inspiring others to take on the challenge of dancing. "No matter how old you are, it's good to get out and try new things," she said, noting how Same Reliable Owners Clean Every Visit amazed she is with her Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products transformation already, Color-Coded Cloths Reduce Cross Contamination both mentally and EnviroShield® Whole Home Disinfecting physically. Strongest Guarantee In the Industry 289.809.9823 (XXX) XXX-XXXX "... It's amazing how localurladdressgoeshere.com Oakville.MaidRight.com each week, said Croiser, who received her training as a dancer in the U.K. where she was raised. She said many of her students have literally danced their aches and pains away because the exercises help restore the correct alignment of one's body. "It's like jigsaw pieces being put back into place," she said, adding the atmosphere is also very positive and social. "It's rehabilitating." The classes are Tuesdays from 11:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m. Each costs $10. Crosier also teaches a barre class at the Oakville studio on Thursdays, which incorporates stability balls, weights and resistance bands. She says the ballet and barre classes complement each other well. For more information, visit canadabarre.ca or email Fiona@canadabarre.ca. As a Maid Right owner you have my quality guarantee with every clean. FREE Schedule3 3cleans, cleans, Schedule get the 4th free* get the 4th free* *Receive the 4th of four cleans at no charge *Receive the 4th of four cleans at no charge up to $150 value. Not valid on prior services. up to $125 value. Not valid on prior services. Not redeemable for cash. Applies to new Not redeemable for cash. Applies to new customers only. customers only. SM SPECIAL OFFER: OFFER: SPECIAL CLEAN CLEAN ©2015 Maid Right Franchising LLC. Maid Right and JAN-PRO International are subsidiaries of Premium Franchise Brands LLC. INTERACTIVE HEALTH FAIR & OPEN HOUSE WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 21ST FROM 1-4PM At Palermo Village, we take care of your Spirit, Mind & Body! Learn how at our Interactive Health Fair and Open House SPEAK TO 20 REPRESENTATIVES FROM OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS David Barrick, DD DE N T U R I ST iving Miss Dai Dr Seniors' Services sy® Ac life com panying you to a fuller TO LEARN MORE CALL: 905-582-0395 3136 DUNDAS STREET WEST, WEST OAKVILLE, OAKVILLE ON (WEST OF BRONTE ROAD) www.palermovillageretirement.ca