Wairarapa women inspired to dance

LOVE TO MOVE: Crows Feet Dance Collective, pictured dancing in their original show "The Armed Man", will be offering a workshop for women 35 plus in Carterton.

An evocative on-stage tribute to New Zealanders' experiences of war has inspired Wairarapa women to slip into their own "dancing shoes".

Wellington-based women's performance troupe Crows Feet Dance Collective will be holding a dance workshop for women aged 35 plus in Carterton next weekend.

This will be Crows Feet's second time in Wairarapa this year, with the group performing its original dance show The Armed Man -- telling the stories of members' ancestors from World War I -- at the Events Centre on Anzac Day.

Crows Feet member and adult dance teacher Carolyn McKeefry decided to offer a class after being approached by a former group member now living in Wairarapa -- who hoped to start a similar women's dance group in the region.

"The Armed Man went extremely well -- my friend said quite a few people were enthused about learning to dance themselves," Ms McKeefry said.

"I thought it would be a great community activity for women to be involved in.

"Even if they don't take up dancing seriously, they can still enjoy the exercise and the experience of movement."

Crows Feet consists of around 40 dancers, aged between "late 30s" and 75, who partake in large scale performances inspired by a variety of styles.

At the Carterton workshop, Ms McKeefry will teach some basic classical, contemporary and bellydance-inspired routines, as well as warmup activities, barre work, and exercises to sharpen spatial awareness. She said she had met many adults who would love to take dance classes -- but were put off by the more "technical" aspects.

"But what we do is very accessible, and can be adapted for the older body -- you don't have to put your leg up around your ears.

"It's also a way to have a break from real life, and whatever's been bothering you on the farm or at the office."

Ms McKeefry said dance also had many health benefits: such as improving core strength, posture, bone density and stamina.

"A lot of my older students get back problems -- which often comes down to slouching and sinking back into their hips, rather than using the core muscles. Dance can help the body stand as it is intended to."

Ms McKeefry said she enjoys teaching older women because of the camaraderie and "banter".

"So much of social dance is geared toward the 15-25 age group.

"It's great for older women to have something that's just for them."

The dance workshop will be held on Saturday July 18, from 1pm to 2.30pm, at Carterton Events Centre. To book, phone 06 379-9244. Participants need to wear comfortable clothing.