The Villages - January 2018 - 7

The academy's core classes focus on foundational
skills for growth, knowledge and greater well-being. And
while dance is a category, fitness - and by extension,
yoga - is not.
So Lee came up with a program that would transform
yoga into a fun, free-flowing experience - a dance. Taking traditional yoga asanas, or postures, such as forward
bend, warrior and triangle pose, Lee set the positions to
music and created an elegant, rhythmic routine.
"In a typical yoga class, you either don't have music or
it is just a background sound," Lee said. "My class uses
music as a part of the curriculum. We do choreographed
sequences - songs for balance, energy and relaxation.
One song incorporates deep stretching; another gets your
heart pumping. Each song has a purpose and I cue all of
the movements."
Lee's students are a mix of longtime yoga practitioners and those who are new to the mat. Village
of Pennecamp resident Linda Gundersheimer falls
into the latter category.
"I took yoga about 50 years ago, and I didn't
remember anything from those classes," she said.
Gundersheimer joined her friend Sherri Bassham, a water aerobics instructor known for her
rigorous classes at area recreation centers. Like
many students, Gundersheimer enjoys other athletic endeavors.
"My friend and I did the Brownwood 5K and
we're getting ready for another at Lake Sumter
Landing," she said. "I like to power walk and my husband and I go to the gym five days a week. I'm not very
flexible, so I thought this class would help me stretch
my muscles."
Gundersheimer also was intrigued by the wellness
potential - the opportunity to find calm in a class
that explores movement.
"When I leave the class, I feel good and am able
to sleep better at night," she said. "Teri is a wonderful instructor and I enjoy the slow, concentrated
movements. We do work up a little sweat, but it's
not high energy or high impact."
When asked how she became an instructor, Lee
said her background in corporate education led
her to a teaching role in retirement.

My class uses music as a
part of the curriculum. We
do choreographed sequences
- songs for balance, energy
and relaxation. One song
incorporates deep stretching;
another gets your heart
pumping. Each song has a
purpose and I cue all of
the movements.
- Teri Lee

"I was in the business of delivering training, teaching
employees and doctors and
developing curriculum," she
said. "When I moved to The
Villages I started taking fitness classes. Before long
I was filling in for teachers. Then I decided this
was my thing, so I got
certified to teach Pilates
and senior fitness. I've
been teaching fitness classes
for about seven years."
Wrapping up the final night
of her seven-week class, Lee
thanked the participants for
their attendance and left
them with warm bodies
and a smooth set of moves
that only vaguely resemble
yoga.
"We started the class very
slowly and picked up the pace
as students learned," she said. "But now they know the
routine and can flow beautifully to the music. When they
leave, I want them to be stronger and more confident,
flexible and balanced."

For course information, find the Enrichment Academy online at
districtgov.org/departments/recreation/enrichment-academy or call 352-674-1800.
MAGAZINE

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http://www.districtgov.org/departments/recreation/enrichment-academy
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Villages - January 2018
