Seniors Get Workout in Folk Dance Class

Things were pretty tranquil around the Canoga Park Senior Center on Monday--that is until Lila Aurich arrived to teach her international folk dance class.

With style and stamina, Aurich led her elderly students in an hourlong class, featuring dances from Finland, Greece, Spain, Macedonia, among other countries.

Despite a few missteps, most students kept up with Aurich as she demonstrated the intricate dances with equally intricate names, such as Kostursko Oro (Macedonia), Hora Fetelor (Romania), Pata Pata (South Africa) and Sardana (Spain).

But it was the Finnish folk dance, Humpa Promenade--with its complex steps, spins and partner changes--that appeared to give dancers the most trouble.

“There shouldn’t be a lost and found in this dance,” Aurich said, hitting the play button on a boombox.

“If you find yourself without a partner, get into the middle. The lost and found is in the middle.”

As Aurich called out the steps, one couple moved forward when they were supposed to go back.

Another dancer spun into the arms of the wrong partner.

Other partners accidentally bumped hips, prompting Aurich to quip: “It’s a good thing we’re well-padded.”

By the end of class, it was clear that the panting and perspiring students had gotten a thorough work out.

“I love to come to this class, because of the variety of music and dances,” said Marta Klaren of Canoga Park, catching her breath. “Everyone in this class really enjoys what they are doing.”

For Aurich, the class is a way to share her passion for folk dancing.

A longtime member of the West Valley Folk Dancers, Aurich said she rotates teaching the weekly class with three other club members to help defray the cost of renting the center for Friday night dances.

“We enjoy folk dancing,” Aurich said, standing next to her husband, Wally, who joins her for nearly every class.

“We just want to help people master the dances.”