Wonder Girls at 40

CEBU, Philippines - “I want nobody nobody but you/ I want nobody nobody but you/ How can I be with another I don’t want any other/ I want nobody nobody nobody nobody.” Look! Grandma can dance a hip-hop.

Yes the very refrain of South Korean Wonder Girls’ “Nobody” has its own cognitive itch. The beat, rhythm and lyrics have easily made it a song and dance craze. But for women in their 30s, 40s and 50s or so, to be dancing even more graceful than the 20-year-old and 17-year-old Wonder Girls, is wonderfully a wonder.

At Slimmers World International, chic corporate women executives, moms, grand-moms and great grand-moms can be seen dancing with ease, flexibility and gracefulness all because an aerobics routine was especially choreographed such that clients would not have to catch their breath or strain their muscles. Also because music in these routines are in the popularity charts that — well, if you asked your grandma to dance the hip-hop to the tune of “Irony” — she can do it more gracefully than you. And yes she can execute every step timed to the music.

Veering away from the conventional, “sometimes boring,” high and low impact exercises, the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions at Slimmers combine fun, therapy, fitness and enjoyment. You don’t get exhausted or tired after more than an hour of dancing. Aero sessions are supposed to be only for one hour but women clients enjoy the dance and exercise so much that they tend to ask for an extension or attend all morning and evening aero sessions. It is as though they are in the gym most of the time. For those who say they can’t dance, they’ll be surprised to find their feet tapping without their knowing. 

It’s Not Your Age.

So how does one teach hip-hop to women who are no longer in their “hip-hop” years? Aerobics instructor Marco Brigoli, who handles the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions uses techniques in choreography that has much to do with counting and execution. It’s a pretty big challenge for Marco because his students are women who may have difficulties in flexibility or memorizing moves. But Marco does not seem to see age or gender as a limitation.

Having been an aerobic instructor for well over six years, he still uses the eight-count steps of conventional aerobics routine. But the execution of the arms and legs are done simultaneously. Conventional high and low impact aerobics employ gradual movement starting with muscle groups from the legs going up to the shoulders. But Marco’s Funk-Aero and Powerdance routines combine feet, arms, waists and shoulder movements all in eight counts.

Marco creates his own choreography combining twists, turns, dipping, sliding, jumping and bending that can well be executed with ease even by a 50-year-old.

Marco does not push clients to learn the dance quickly. He teaches pattern by pattern then combines these in continuous movements. As he would tell students “feel the music in the dance and the dance in the music.” So there is mastery in the pattern, Marco repeats the music three or more times until students learn the pattern by themselves. It gives a feeling of confidence and achievement when a dance or routine is completed with minimal coaching.

Choosing the music is another thing. Still it takes patience and creativity for an aero-instructor like Marco to choreograph a dance and exercise routine that is enjoyable, therapeutic and healthy and to use popular music at that. Marco carefully prepares his choreography. He surprises students with something new every week.

Marco’s routines do not over work the heart because the eight-count is maintained which means it follows the normal pace of the heartbeat. If the heart is made to beat a little faster, it is done gradually. And because the heart is made to work and take in more oxygen, the routines are effective calorie-burners. Actually, clients who attend the Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions are not aware of the hundreds of calories they are burning because they are too busy enjoying the dance and music. They are not even aware they are on an exercise routine.

If you want something cool and upbeat for your weight loss, cardio and fat burning routines, try Marco’s Funk-Aero and Powerdance sessions. Funk-Aero sessions are three times a week and Powerdance once a week. You don’t have to be a 20-year-old or 17-year-old to learn the hip-hop. Hip and hop your way to good health. It’s for nobody –- but you.