We're not the world's best dancers. But that doesn't mean we can't be healthier. Fergal Quinn reports.
The Irish are bad dancers. Go to any nightclub and watch the gurning, shuddering attempts at moving to a simple rhythm. Mostly we tend to stand at the bar, rarely attempting hand movements more complex than those required to attract the bar staff's attention.
Jane Shortall aims to change all that. The choreographer and fitness instructor is organising a "dance blitz" in Dublin next month, a four-day convention that aims to introduce a larger audience to modern dance as a way of keeping fit.
"Young people particularly often see exercise as uncool, but you put it in terms of dancing and it becomes OK," she says. "Dancing is fun, and this kind of dancing is wonderful exercise. It's an entire-body workout."
Shortall has been giving classes at the YMCA on Aungier Street in Dublin for three years. She teaches "funk, pop-locking, MTV-style dance" to all age groups, from absolute beginners up, she says. "This is a form of dance that evolved from the streets and is constantly changing, like you see in Madonna or Justin Timberlake videos.
"I want to emphasise the health aspect of this. We in Ireland are not as active as we used to be - 18 per cent of the Irish population is now classed as obese. Healthcare doesn't begin when you're old. It used to be that young people were more active. Nowadays they have more sedentary lifestyles" - too much TV, not enough activity, bad diets. Studies have shown a huge increase among young people of the symptoms of atheroma - or fat-clogged arteries - angina and type 2 diabetes, "almost all of which is due to being overweight".
The VHI is sponsoring the event, believing it is a good way to get a message across, especially to young people, who groan at the idea of keeping fit to stay healthy.
"This is the first convention I have done here," says Shortall. "When I worked and travelled abroad I got a better idea of this kind of commercial dance, the wonderful energy and enthusiasm of these huge dance conventions in London or LA. I want to bring that kind of vibe back home. We have some of the very top instructors coming over for this."
People who go to classes tend to be aged between 17 and 25. "But this is for everybody who loves dancing. There are different levels, beginning with those who have never danced much to those who want to dance professionally."
Everybody loves to dance, says Shortall, although a lot are embarrassed to dance in public. And Irish people have rhythm but no confidence. "I want to improve that in ordinary people and get them fit, too."
The first VHI Dance Blitz is at the YMCA, Aungier Street, Dublin, July 9th-13th; €10 a class or €35-€55 for day passes. You can get more details from www.janeshortall.com