Seniors go Gangnam Style in Longwood

A familiar beat bumps from the stereo, though it’s a little mellowed out, slowed down to an easier moving pace. Exercisers’ sneakers tap in place, filling the room with a sound like horses galloping to the music. One arm twirls in the air while the other is held out in front, as if holding an invisible rein. Every once in a while, the instructor says, “now slap that horse!” And the students laugh, taking a little whack toward their backsides, while keeping their hips swinging to the beat.

It’s not just the younger generations catching on to the newest dance trends – seniors at Longwood’s Village on the Green retirement community want in on the fun, too. They’ve been doing the “Gangnam Style” dance in their exercise class for months now, and they’ve mastered the moves far better than many young dance club goers.

Intro to Gangnam

Robert Geller, 90, saw South Korean singer Psy and his moves on a late night talk show, and knew that he had to bring the dance idea to the exercise instructor at Village. He’d already introduced Zumba to the class, which has seniors who are 68 years old all the way up to 92, with great success, so he knew this dance had potential.

“I was fascinated with the music and the dancing,” he said.

He brought it to instructor Treva McGowan, but she was a little skeptical, even thought it was a joke at first. But Geller insisted they get to try it. So she studied the dance, found some slower music with a similar beat and modified the moves for seniors. There’s still the signature horse riding gallop, the lasso move and the spins, but at a slower pace and sometimes done sitting down. But the seniors are totally into it, never losing the groove and swagger that makes the dance so fun. The seniors don’t let age get in the way of trying new things.

“They are so open to anything,” McGowan said.

Challenging the seniors

Lou Gargaglione, 74, said he likes the faster pace of the “Gangnam Style” dance. Once a biker, skier and runner – he could run upstairs faster than an elevator could take him, back in his fitness prime – the challenge the class offers is a welcome one.

McGowan said she mixes up the moves and the order they go in to keep the seniors on their toes.

“It makes their brain work differently,” she said. “Now you’ve thrown them a curveball.”

Dancing is a great workout physically as well as mentally, McGowan said. There’s hand-eye coordination involved, balancing on one leg and remembering moves when dancing “Gangnam Style.” A 2003 study published by the New England Journal of Medicine found that seniors who do ballroom dancing at least twice a week are less likely to develop dementia. It’s the only physical activity that has shown positive effects on the body as well as the mind.

“You have to stay busy mentally and physically, that’s the key to longevity,” Geller said.

The seniors also said it’s important for them to keep trying new hobbies and challenging themselves to learn daily. Geller takes computer and Spanish classes, emails and plays sports at the Village on the Green. He takes Zumba, line and ballroom dancing classes, too.

“I never danced before I came here,” he said. “Now they can’t take me off the dance floor.”

Embracing life

Ginny Engen, 90, and Gargaglione also agreed that the social aspect of the class is what keeps them coming back. They get to laugh with each other, meet new people and share experiences over a coffee or lunch after class. Geller said a different type of life begins at retirement, and they’ve all embraced it.

“You can sit at home and feel sorry for yourself, or you can engage in activities,” he said. “We don’t come here to die, we come here to live.”

There’s just one dance Geller said he doesn’t quite get the hype about, and that you definitely won’t catch him doing anytime soon – “the Harlem Shake,” he said with a laugh.