“I Got Rhythm”: Adapted Dance and Movement Programming

Carla Bacon Smith, B.S., CDP Lifetime Expressions Phone/fax 630-483-7450 [email protected]

Long before the “Dancing with the Stars” phenomenon captured the attention of millions of fans, dance was a part of our culture, with each generation moving to its own rhythms. Tap into memories and emotions through the power of movement while providing a positive social experience with benefits for mind and body. A variety of movement and dance techniques will be taught will encourage participation by clients of all levels.

Benefits for Dance/ Movement Activities

 Encourages social interaction in a structured, positive setting  Provides sensory stimulation, including powerful kinesthetic stimulation  Provides a connection to the past through reminiscing and age appropriate or culturally significant music  Offers an opportunity to participate in adapted leisure and lifelong learning  Promotes fitness and mobility through range of motion and aerobic activities  Can improve function through a focus on balance, coordination and endurance  Structured dance routines promote the use of cognitive skills such as attention span and sequencing  Performance groups foster a sense of belonging and promote self-esteem  Music and rhythm based activities offer opportunities for non-verbal communication and expression

Materials/ Set Up

Dance and rhythm activities require few materials that can be used over and over again.  Music system and variety of recorded music  Movement props as desired for type of activity planned: o Dowel Rods/ Canes o Scarves o Egg Shakers o Paper Plates o Ribbon Wands/ Streamers o Rhythm Instruments/ Drums o Simple costumes or themed props for performance groups  Planning adequate space and seating arrangement for activities planned is key to successful programs. Arrangements may include: o Circle format for Square, Ballroom or Folk Dances o Lines for Line Dances and Performance Groups o Theater style rows for Dancercise and Dance Classes

Dance Styles

 Square Dancing o Partner participants with volunteers, staff or family members for a traditional square dance on wheels. o While this is a great intergenerational activity, children should be capable of safely pushing a wheelchair and following instructions. o Utilize instrumental country or bluegrass music and call it yourself to adjust the movements and pace to the functional level of the dancers. o Adapt traditional calls and encourage those in the “audience” to clap and stomp along. Designate a head couple and side couple to perform split movements. . Swing your partner . Circle to the right/left . Do-si-do (head or side couple) . Honor your partner . Greet your neighbor (head or side couple) . Everybody to the center for a big yell ( “Yee-Haw!”)

o This structured partner dance is a good ice breaker and provides socialization and kinesthetic stimulation. o Consider props such as bandanas or cowboy hats for performance. o Suggested Music: “Steamer Lane Breakdown” by the Doobie Brothers, Virginia Reel

 Party Dancing o Perform party dances in a circle, focusing on arm movements for seated participants. o Utilize staff and/or volunteers to demonstrate the movements and encourage movement. o This is a great intergenerational activity. o Favorites include: Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, Bunny Hop, Macarena, YMCA, Hand Jive

 Ballroom Dancing o Utilize partners to move wheelchairs around gracefully to the music o Join hands for waltz- rhythm movements or utilize scarves to accentuate and encourage upper body movement. o The kinesthetic stimulation of the wheelchair movements works well with lower functioning clients. o Note that this type of dance requires a large space. o Suggested Music: Polkas (Beer Barrel, Domino, etc.), Waltzes ( “The Anniversary Waltz”, “Three O’clock in the Morning”, “Tennessee Waltz”, etc.)

 Folk/Cultural Dancing o Utilize music and dance/movement styles that appeal to culturally diverse populations. o Try a bouncy polka with scarves, or encourage clapping or playing an instrument while a partner wheels the chair. o Adapt arm movements to perform a seated version of “Hava Nagila” or other folk dances. o Add egg shakers or maracas for a Calypso or Latin inspired dances. o Tell a story with arm movements to Hawaiian music. Suggested music: “The Hukilau” (Resource: “Special Music for Special People”)

 Dancercising o Add dance movements and props, along with music in a variety of styles to your exercise program for a fresh and fun workout. o A choreographed “follow the leader” format increases attention span while props add resistance and inspire a wider range of movements. o Encouraging participants to sing along to the music promotes whole brain activity. o Use scarves or streamers for slow flowing movements. Suggested Music: “Moon River”, “Somewhere My Love”, “Sunshine on My Shoulders”, etc. o Try dowel rods for light resistance and “cane dancing”. Suggested Music:” New York, New York”, “Alley Cat”, “The Syncopated Clock,” etc. o Use egg shakers to upbeat music to increase endurance and provide sensory stimulation. Suggested Music: “Jump in the Line”, “Tequila”, o For increased focus on lower body movement, try a cha-cha ( step, step, cha-cha-cha) or samba step (front, step, middle, step, back, step, middle, step) to latin inspired music o Another lower body focused activity is to introduce some basic tap steps (heel- toe, shuffle, step-ball-change). Suggested Music: “Tea for Two”, “The Entertainer”

 Line Dancing o The structured, repetitive nature of line dancing offers an opportunity for learning and cognitive stimulation. o Adapt traditional line dance movements or create your own sequence to be performed seated and crank up the country! o Movements may be slowed to half time if needed or repeated to allow all group members to follow changes. o Traditional elements include: grape vining, heel touches, kicks, steps to the side, stomps, heel twists, touches to the front or back, turns, claps, etc. Seat participant in lines facing the leader or adapt further by seating them at a long table and using hands to perform “steps” on the table top. o Suggested Music: “Achy Breaky Heart”, “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” o “Achy Breaky” adapted steps: . Grapevine ( roll arms) right and clap 4

. Grapevine (roll arms) left and clap 4 . Hitchhike back 4 . Reach/step right and pull 2 . Reach Step Right and pull 2 . Left heel, stomp 2 . Right heel, stomp 2 . Right touch front 2 . Right touch side 2 . Right touch front then side 2 . Right touch front then side 2 . Turn ( lasso), clap, wiggle-wiggle (shimmy) 4

Detailed program plans for a variety of dance activities, including leadership techniques and suggested movements/steps are available in “Lifetime Expressions: Encouraging Creativity in Seniors.” Contact Carla at [email protected] for more information.