EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT…RIPE Dance wins 2023 Australasian Dance Education Awards for ‘Regional Dance Studio of the Year’ and ‘Excellence in Community Impact’. Read more here.
RIPE Dance offers specially designed dance classes and experiences for a range of older people for improved health, mobility and wellbeing. Whether you are physically active and agile or living with mobility issues or physical restrictions, participants can experience the joy and benefits of dance in a fun, safe, supportive and welcoming environment.
RIPE Dance classes are about possibilities not limitations. Even if you think you can’t dance, have two left feet or you’ve lost the confidence to dance, RIPE Dance works with you to find ways you can dance.
RIPE Dance Director, Gail Hewton, brings over 45 years of varied professional dance experience (dancer, choreographer, educator, producer and community practitioner) including being immersed in researching and working in dance for older people since 2012. Gail’s practice is underpinned by a relational approach and whilst focused first and foremost on dancing her work also addresses health and wellbeing with a particular focus on falls prevention and social connectedness. RIPE Dance’s successful participant engagement through Gail’s evidence-based approach has been evaluated by researchers from University of Sydney. (read the research paper here)
Evidence from a growing body of research shows that dance for older people provides physical, cognitive, emotional and social benefits. Participants leave class feeling energised and uplifted, ‘my muscles are less stiff’, ‘without the headache I came with’ and over time see improvements in their balance, coordination, flexibility, confidence and mood as well as development of new friendships.
Dance…Really Is Possible for Everyone! …so let’s Dance!
RIPE Dance offers a range of classes and dance experiences for:
- Active and agile over 60s – jazz/contemporary classes as well as performance opportunities
- Active over 60s – those who are mobile with less agility (not able to move quickly)
- Older adults with mobility and/or balance issues who live independently
RIPE Dance also offers professional development, mentoring and training through its offshoot business Gold Moves Australia for:
- dance teachers/practitioners, allied health professionals (physios, OTs & fitness instructors), residential care staff and activity leaders interested in leading dance for older people safely and effectively.
Benefits of Dance
Dance offers a range of physical, cognitive, emotional and social benefits. Read more…
RIPE DANCE 