Ballet 4 You takes a big step with women learning dance via YouTube

Two years after she launched Ballet 4 You, Perth woman Lisa Purchas has engaged film maker Hugh Buttsworth to film each of the unique exercise sequences and these have been uploaded to YouTube.

Ballet 4 You was launched on YouTube in June and the first introductory clip and warmup exercise sequence is now available free online, Lisa said. This can be viewed via the homepage by clicking on the YouTube icon (the little arrow) on the Ballet 4 You web-page www.ballet4you.com and the link will take people directly to the ten video playlist. Alternatively, people can go to the YouTube channel Ballet 4 You—Ballet 4 Alzheimer’s.

Ballet 4 You was originally designed as a ballet inspired exercise program for women with mild cognitive impairment and early stage Alzheimer’s. “These exercises focus on balance, strength, posture and the use of the body and brain in simple cross-lateral sequences,” Lisa said. “The beautiful arm movements release tension from the hands and arms, open the chest and make someone feel graceful and complete again.

“Ballet is a very dignified, graceful form of exercise. It is great for muscular strength and there are research findings that make the connection between muscular strength and cognitive health.”

Around 46 million people worldwide are living with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. It is one of the leading causes of death among an ageing population, especially women including Lisa’s mother, Joanna, in 2016.

“Most people don’t realise that a person with Alzheimer’s disease derives the same benefits from a regular exer- cise program as anyone else, namely improved cardio vascular fitness, endurance and strength. This also leads to better circulation and fewer falls.”

In the last few years, Ballet 4 You has continued to teach growing numbers of classes privately, Lisa said. But there were various factors which impeded people from taking part such as cost, transport, distance, weather and the time of day.

To help these people, Lisa is working with Hugh Buttsworth from Steller Visions to film sequences to music by Nigel Gaynor, currently music director of the Queensland Ballet. “As each clip is fully sponsored, it is released on the Ballet 4 You You Tube channel,” she said.

Sponsorship can be made in a private or corporate capacity and can be done via the website www.ballet4you.com or by contacting Lisa by email at ballet4you@westnet.com.au

“The feedback we have received so far has been positive and people who don’t have mild cognitive impairment or early stage Alzheimer’s are also doing the program as an Alzheimer’s prevention strategy,” Lisa said.

“Many of our Ballet 4 Seniors students do the clip regularly by running the You Tube channel through their television or iPad.

“The program is completely portable and can be done at home anytime, anywhere without fancy equipment as the back of a sturdy chair is used instead of a ballet barre. People do not need special shoes or exercise gear as grippy socks and comfortable clothes are perfect.

“Carers are more than happy to set up the smart phone, ipad, laptop, TV or computer and take part in the exercises with their loved ones.

“There is no other program quite like our Ballet 4 You program anywhere. It is completely free of charge to people and Google translates it into 300 plus languages so our reach is universal. We are hoping to engage people in our program on a daily basis and work together towards maintaining a healthy body and brain.

“It is an expensive undertaking to bring our five star presentation to fruition and we are hoping people will contribute to our cause so that more clips can be released. People can sponsor us by going to our webpage www.ballet4you.com,” she said.

Originally written by Josephine Allison and published by Have a Go News.