A new type of seated class will make its way to the Amherst Public Library at the end of March.
Active for Life Fitness in Westlake will introduce a seated Dancercise tap class at the library, 221 Spring St.
The company, founded by Melissa Renner, began with the mission of providing seated rhythm classes for those who may not be able to stand or have full range of motion.
“I founded Active for Life Fitness six years ago, and debuted seated dancing classes based on ballroom and jazz, and it really just took off,” Renner said.
Renner, who has a degree in exercise science and background knowledge in dancing, since has expanded the company to operate in over 40 facilities throughout of seven Ohio counties as well as virtual outreach in California and Massachusetts.
“What we found through these classes is that generally, the sound of the music and songs would help bring our patients with dementia to an even greater awareness of what was going on,” she said. “From there, I knew that tap dancing was one of the best next steps because you are actually a part of the movement and music.”
One of the problems Renner said she ran into, however, was how to properly make sizes for the tap shoes to accommodate everyone.
“So instead of trying to make shoes in all sizes and shapes for different people, I came up with the idea of this slip on tap shoes that can be put on over someone’s own shoes,” she said. “Basically, these shoes come in small, medium and large and one pair covers six shoe sizes.”
Renner said the patent pending idea has helped her to continue to grow her business and has attracted a lot of attention from many of the facilities she helps.
But she said the fun didn’t end, even when isolation due to the coronavirus pandemic set in.
“A big issue with the pandemic was we were unable to visit many of our guests for classes because they were in assisted living facilities or hospitals,” Renner said. “So, what we did instead, was put the classes on DVD for purchase for them to enjoy from the privacy of their own homes.”
The class will start at 2:30 p.m., March 31, in the library’s community room.
It is free and open to the public, but reservations are encouraged to get a number of how many will attend.
To make a reservation, go to amherstpubliclibrary.org, click on calendar and then click choose the link for the class.
