Active and Healthy open day

Dancers embrace exercise program on road to recovery

A troupe of dancers from the City of Logan are promoting exercise to heal the body and the mind.

Renata Hammond leads local belly dancing classes as part of Logan City Council’s Active and Healthy program.

Regents Park resident Sherryl McIntyre is one of her students at the weekly Logan Central Community Centre class.

The pair share a special bond as they are both receiving breast cancer treatment after being diagnosed a month apart earlier this year.

As they undergo treatment, including numerous rounds of chemotherapy, the dynamic duo has not stopped dancing.

The classes are an important part of their recovery, offering a support network and a space to heal.

Renata said she wanted to highlight how exercise, especially belly dancing, could help people with different health issues as it was gentle and used core muscles.

“It is people from every background and culture, age and shape coming together,” she said.

“You can see their transformation. They start enjoying it which is really rewarding for me.”

Renata said it was important to recognise the different types of breast cancer and the varying ages and backgrounds of those diagnosed.

Dance members will participate in an open day on Saturday, October 22, at the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct to promote Council’s Active and Healthy program.

It will run from 8.30am to 12.30pm with free activities to try including yoga, tai chi, dancing for children, gentle exercise, walking football, Zumba GOLD and Pilates.

City Lifestyle Chair, Councillor Laurie Koranski, said the day would give people the opportunity to experience some of the Active and Healthy program’s great activities while supporting an important fundraiser.

“It is wonderful to hear that Renata and Sherryl have had such an uplifting experience through the program,” Cr Koranski said.

“I’m sure they are also an inspiration to others about how exercise and staying active can have immeasurable benefits in so many ways.

“Our Active and Healthy program offers residents access to more than 100 free or low-cost physical activity, health and wellbeing programs and I encourage everyone to become involved.”

The open day will also raise funds for the Mater Foundation’s Chicks in Pink as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

The Active and Healthy classes are suitable for everyone, regardless of age, gender, mobility or work schedule.

Cooking and nutrition, environment, fitness and sports, gentle movement and wellbeing and children and family classes are featured.

Further information about the open day and the program booklet and registration forms can be downloaded from logan.qld.gov.au/healthy

Copies are also available by emailing healthy@logan.qld.gov.au, calling 3412 3412 or from Logan Libraries or Council’s Customer Service Centres at Logan Central, Beenleigh or Jimboomba.