Restorative class has been beneficial for Foster, who suffers pain in her lower back, right leg and knee. “I recently completed 10 weeks of work with a physical therapist, and much of what we do in Restorative carries through from what I did in physical therapy,” she says. “I feel that Restorative is helping me to manage these problems. Also, my balance is poor, and I appreciate the balance work we do in the classes.” Her mother had “Dowager’s Hump” (kyphosis in the upper spine where the shoulders round excessively forward – very common in aging women). She has the beginning signs of it but Restorative class at Dancers Shape has helped open her posture – standing taller and improving her balance.

Foster says Restorative can be as gentle or as difficult as people want to make it. “All the exercises can be done with the amount of resistance and intensity the individual can handle. I was concerned that the class might be too easy, but I have not found that to be true at all. The pace of the class is brisk but not overwhelming, and the props we use are helpful and add variety,” she says.

Foster encourages others in her age group to try Restorative. “I think there is a huge need for classes geared for people who aren’t yet ready for chair exercises but have lost some youthful agility and strength and want to improve mobility, balance and fitness. I am a big fan,” she says.