Getting her groove on
New popular fitness movement ‘groove dancefloor’ has arrived on P.E.I.
Roni Gallant wants to show everyone that exercise can be fun, safe and accessible to all.
The Souris resident, who has taught fitness and wellness programs on P.E.I. for the past 15 years, recently introduced a movement that’s growing in popularity across North America and the world.
Groove dancefloor is a simple, low-impact program teaching dance and movement that’s broken down into easy moves, Gallant told The Guardian before a class at Now and Zen Wellness Studio in Stratford.
“It’s accessible to everybody,” she said. “Anybody can do it regardless of any issues that you might have, and you get to kind of put your own style into it, there’s room for that, and it makes people feel more comfortable.”
Groove newcomer Valerie Ward was getting ready to take her first session and said she was looking forward to the experience. The North River resident said her preferred method of exercise is walking but admitted she also enjoys dancing.
“I’ve seen it on Facebook and it just looks really interesting,” she said. “It doesn’t look like it’s too hard.”
Gallant, who received her training in Montreal in April, says she is currently the first and only trained facilitator in the province.
“Groove is all about kind of honouring your body – being healthy from the inside out.” Roni Gallant
Groove is an alternative to some of the high-impact exercises like bootcamps and HIIT training that can be hard on people’s joints, Gallant said.
“It’s very hard on your body. We have great intentions to get fit, but you can do damage to yourself,” she said, noting participants can even do the exercise in chairs.
“Groove is all about kind of honouring your body — being healthy from the inside out.”
Gallant says she used to teach Zumba, but said her clients found that workout moved too quickly and required a lot of co-ordination.
“Groove changes all that. If you can walk, you can groove.”