Thursday, August 24, 2023

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

Shake Your Groove Thing

We all love a good boogie on the dance floor, but did you know dancing and movement are known to have a broad range of benefits including improving body image, self-esteem, focus, and communication?

Lauren Heitman knows these benefits well and is assisting young people through her all-abilities dance classes Groove Movers.

Groove Movers started as a disability dance group with the simple aim of having fun.

Since Lauren took over a few years ago, the classes have developed rapidly but the aim has stayed the same.

Lauren holds a variety of classes on Wednesdays and Thursdays, with Wednesday’s classes focusing on working together to build skills that can be transferred into the outer community.

“We started with a couple of younger students who came into the group to start with, and they wouldn’t go near it, they’d just sit and watch, and now they actually get up and participate,” Lauren said.

“It’s quite a beautiful thing to watch them evolve from not wanting to be a part of the group … to actually watch them have that confidence and trust and to join in groups and benefit from being around others through music, movement and dance.”

Thursdays is a therapeutic music group known as Soul Singers where students socialise, listen to their favourite songs, dance, sing and jam on instruments.

Lauren also hopes to expand into movement therapy classes and classes for older students to help improve dementia and falls prevention and is studying music therapy to further her skills in helping people.

Groove Movers perform regularly, often joining forces with Crossroad Arts, and are currently practising for the upcoming Mackay Eisteddfod.

“Just to get them out so that they can experience new things and also to educate the general public, just because we have a disability, doesn’t mean we can’t do mainstream things, so to speak,” said Lauren.

“A lot of people don’t realise that they can actually achieve what they do.”

Groove Movers will be showing off their moves with the use of scarves and different movement techniques at the Mackay Disability Expo on August 12.

“If we’ve got any opportunities to perform, they want to perform; they love performing.”

SEE GROOVE MOVERS AT THE MACKAY DISABILITY EXPO!

The Mackay Disability Expo is back, bigger than last year and in a larger venue on Friday, August 12, from 9am to noon.

The expo will offer a crucial opportunity for people with a disability to find out about the latest products, services, aids and equipment.

It is an ideal platform for product and service providers to connect with people with disability, their families and carers.

The opportunity is also there for service providers to build networks with other providers, organisation and agencies in the region, to bring together everyone in the Mackay disability sector. All with the aim of enhancing the lives of people with disability.

This year the event has moved to a more spacious locality, the Big Shed at the Mackay Showgrounds.

Groove Movers frequently collaborate with Crossroad Arts for performances and fundraisers. Photo supplied: Lauren Heitman

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