Phase 1: Arrival (10 min) |
Social interaction (e.g., greeting friends). A brief discussion on safety issues and how to participate (first-timers). Assess new health and issues linked to the sessions (second-timers). |
Phase 2: Warm-up (10 min) |
Group warm-up using whole-body amplitude movements incorporating neck, shoulders, hands, trunk, hips and knees movements, and slow passive stretching of the most affected upper extremity using the least affected upper extremity. Essential dance step (e.g., step touch) to increase heart rate. Walking in place or in chair, in a rhythmic routine using music based on group preferences. Voice warm up exercises with loud ahh, glides, and humming exercises. |
Phase 3: Technical exercises (Two exercises per session; 10 min) |
Trunk rotation. Step-touch side-ways. Moving the hips (side-ways). Weight shifting. Step-touch forward-backward. Basic step of the meringue. Sliding to the side. Twist. |
Phase 4: Directed improvisation (10 min) |
Participants will move freely according to some directions (bilateral movements only, large and big movements, etc.). In turn, they must either guide and be followed or follow the sequence proposed by another participant. |
Phase 5: Dance routine (10 min) |
Instructor will perform the routine, acting as a model for the participants. Integration of the dance routine with music. During the first 2 weeks, the sessions will focus on balance, requiring participants to form a circle, hold their arms in the air and transfer weight from one leg to the other. These moves will be followed by a couple of steps forward to reach the center of the circle, tap one of their feet and return to the starting position. From the third to the fifth week, in addition to the initial steps, participants will rotate 360° before moving to the center of the circle. In the last stage, participants will dance in a circle that moves counterclockwise. |
Phase 6: Relaxation (5 min) |
Active slow amplitude movements with music, stretching, and breathing exercises. |
Phase 7: Session Assessment (5 min) |
Brief group discussion to gather participant feedback on each exercise to guide future sessions. |