Learning need not be constrained by age. While that thinking could ring resoundingly true on paper, on the ground, it could be challenged by practical difficulties, particularly where the learning has to be structured, sustained and requires external support.
There are no such constraints on the ground, well floor, for senior citizens at Valasaravakkam centre of Akshaya Trust. At this free old age home, seniors are learning to dance, thanks to Raack Academy of Dance. Recently, senior choreographer B. Pradeep Prasad led a session for these seniors.
The two-hour free workshop started with old Tamil songs, especially MGR hits and moved to other simple dance moves. Pradeep, who heads the Ramapuram centre of the Academy, plans to visit the home for senior citizens more frequently and keep the momentum going. “I plan to conduct these simple dance workshops once in two months as it can help improve their mobility and posture,” says Pradeep.
Dance benefits people across age groups in many ways. Previously, Pradeep conducted classes for students of a school for the blind and those on the spectrum. “This free workshop is our small way of spreading the benefits of dance,” he says.
The branch has close to 40 seniors in the age group of 65 to 89 years, with a majority enrolled into the centre as they have none to take care of them.
