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It’s a snowy Monday morning, and a group of London seniors arrive early for a weekly fitness class.
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Next to a stereo and a pile of CDs with tracks to make everyone “get physical,” a dance teacher awaits her students – a 93-year-old dance teacher, no less.
Dolores Niskanen is a “demanding” fitness instructor but tries to make it fun for everybody, she says, while the group brings out chairs used for the exercises during the free classes offered to residents in her downtown London condo building.
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“I believe in volunteer work. I believe in giving to people as much as you possibly can. My mother did volunteer work. My grandmother was in volunteer work. It’s part of our heritage,” she said.
From her chair, Niskanen, who’s been struggling with arthritis for a few years, gives attendees directions in each segment of the class. “I can’t teach the way I used to teach, but I’m still teaching. And people still enjoy my classes, and it creates something different in their lifestyle.”
The class starts with a warmup, followed by upper body exercises, core exercises, leg exercises and a stretch to wrap up the class. For each song, there’s a different choreographed movement.
Catherine Charlton, who is “over 70 years old,” welcomes the opportunity to start the week with exercise, but that’s not the only positive.
“It’s a meeting point for people,” Charlton said. “It’s a wonderful asset, and we’re very much in debt to Dolores.”
There are no breaks, but Niskanen says she doesn’t expect perfection.
“But I expect everyone to put their whole energy into it; otherwise, there wouldn’t be any results,” she said.
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A dancer since she was three years old, Niskanen spent most of her life in Thunder Bay and has more than 80 years of experience as a teacher.
She advocates for an active lifestyle and has run classes for residents in her Picton Street building for more than two decades.
“I just believe in people being active, and I strongly suggest to any of my friends reaching retirement age to get some kind of hobby because that’s so important,” she said. “Many people who retire have nothing to do, and they’re just absolutely bored.”
Barb O’Sullivan, 72, has been attending the classes for eight years. She said staying active has made a “huge” difference in her life.
“I came because I was having back problems, and the exercise, friendship and spirit of the class have meant a lot to me,” she said. “I’ve really enjoyed it, and I’d be very lost without it.”
Niskanen is aware of her own age, she says.
“I know I’m 93 right now. . . . My philosophy is to keep busy and have many interests,” she said. “I love being active. I don’t want it to stop. I love teaching.”
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