WATCH: Age is just a number for 95-year-old dancer, Gertie Dodgen
Gertie Dodgen, who is also a member of the local gym, remains as agile as ever and says she just has to keep going.
Amidst the busy streets of Randburg is a rhythm that pulses from the Roosevelt Park Recreational Centre. The source of this pulse is a remarkable 95-year-old dynamo, Gertie Dodgen, who continues to inspire others through dance even as she approaches 100 years old.
Since 2016, Dodgen has been a beloved member of the Rainbow Line Dancing group, but her dance journey began long before joining the group. Her passion for dance has been unwavering since she first learned some moves at the age of 11. Before line dancing, Dodgen spent her days as a ballroom dancer and ballerina. “Dancing has always been a part of my life. My husband and I used to do ballroom 60 years ago. If he were here today, he’d love line dancing just as much as I do.”
WATCH:
@caxtonjoburgnorth Age is just a number for 95-year-old dancer, Gertie Dodger. Her passion for dance has been unwavering since she first learned some moves at the age of 11. Read more on her journey on the Randburg Sun’s website. www.randburgsun.co.za #localnews#dancer#fypシ #randburgsun
@caxtonjoburgnorth Age is just a number for 95-year-old dancer, Gertie Dodger. Her passion for dance has been unwavering since she first learned some moves at the age of 11. Read more on her journey on the Randburg Sun’s website. www.randburgsun.co.za #localnews#dancer#fypシ #randburgsun
Approaching her 96th birthday in October, Dodgen remains as agile as ever, a testament to the power of dance in maintaining physical and mental well-being. “I’ve just got to keep going, otherwise, if I sit and do nothing, I get so stiff. You have to keep moving. Movement is life.”
Dodgen’s commitment to staying fit extends beyond the dance floor. She’s also a dedicated member of the local gym, where she has participated in elderly fitness classes for years. “I come to the gym here as well, the fitness league classes. I have been coming here for 58 years every Wednesday morning to exercise.”
Leon Nel, the instructor of Rainbow Line Dancing, describes Dodgen as an inspiration to everyone in the class. “We all look up to her because of her age. She inspires us all to push and work towards achieving a longer, healthier life.”
Nel emphasized the importance of encouraging elderly loved ones to incorporate movement into their lives. “She says that when you get older, your muscles start getting weaker and we make the mistake of always telling older people, I will do it for you, and over time their muscles get weaker. Now when she dances, she moves her muscles, and she keeps going. We are brought up to look after the older people, but they need to have some movement to keep in shape.”
As Dodgen gracefully glided across the dance floor with a smile, she advised people to consider dancing as a way to keep fit. “You are never too old, and you need to keep moving.”
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