Forever in motion Jamboree celebrates senior activity

Over 300 seniors took part in belly dancing, Frisbee golf, bocce ball, arm chair Pilates, and dancing to a live band at the 3rd annual Forever in motion Jamboree held Thursday, June 19 at Maples Community Centre.It was a fun-filled educational day complete with healthy snacks, active living instruction and indoor and outdoor exercises.  

Eighty-six-year-old Joyce Rawluk tried out Tai Chi and took part in a walking exercise. "I'm active everyday," she said proudly of cleaning her own home, daily gardening and still cooking suppers for visits with her daughter and family.

Her favourite activity at the Forever in motion Jamboree was bowling with the Nintendo Wii, an electronic video game that encourages active movement from players. "It would be nice to have one of these at home," Rawluk said after bowling a few rounds.

"The Forever in motion Jamboree brings older adults from around Winnipeg out to show them some fun alternatives to maintaining or increasing their activity level at any age," said Jim Dear, Winnipeg in motion coordinator. Winnipeg in motion and community partners organized the event including transportation from several senior centres and having a variety of sponsors attend to provide educational information booths covering topics such as healthy foot care, nutritional supplements and active living habits. 

Kristy McIntyre, a belly dance instructor, brought the Belly Dancing Babbas – a group of 55 and older ladies to demonstrate belly dancing and get some of the visiting seniors up to try it out.

"My oldest dancer is over 70," McIntyre said. "This is a chance to show people they (seniors) can do this."

Winnipeg in motion, a physical activity promotion strategy designed to help Winnipeg communities become more physically active for health benefits, works with several community partners to help build supportive environments for physical activity. Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is a proud coordinating partner of Winnipeg in motion.  

For information about Winnipeg in motion and other active living events, visit www.winnipeginmotion.ca.

- Kathryn McBurney