Katie Clawson loves to dance! But even more than dancing, she loves to help people. Most of all, her joy comes from assisting senior citizens and she is constantly looking for ways to help them feel better physically. As an Occupational Therapist, she incorporates dance into her sessions, sharing the many benefits that come along with this activity.
Katie has been dancing since 2013, but in 2018, she experienced some physical challenges that began to affect her health. Her stamina was fleeting, and she was forced to stop dancing on her feet. However, Katie refused to give up! She would not allow her weakening body to fail her 100%. So, she did what was in her heart: SHE DANCED!
Katie decided to try healing her own body and she began thinking outside of the box. Instead of dancing upright, (and on her feet), she started dancing in a seated position and made immediate progress. Her overall health began to improve. Her coordination was better, and she was feeling good. Her positive outlook took over completely, and she thought about ways she could help others who may be in a similar situation. Specifically, she began to think of senior citizens whose mobility might be on the decline. After imagining all the possibilities, she started a “seated” dance group while at work, (in a hospital setting), with six patients at a time. Katie stated, “While working with my patients in the hospital setting, I knew I definitely wanted my class to be seated. So many elderly people have issues with pain in their hips and knees, stamina, and/or balance issues and a few of my patients have been over 100 years old.”
The class was a hit and Katie ended up bringing her creative thoughts to fruition by teaching a FREE “Seated Senior Class” at Love2Dance Modesto, in 2020/2021, (via Zoom), due to Covid19. Katie danced there for five years, (before her health challenges began). When she shared her idea with the owners, they were completely on board. Fondly reflecting on the dance studio and the owners, Katie went on to say, “They are the most inclusive studio I’ve ever seen. They teach toddlers all the way through seniors, and the owners are a mother and daughter team – Meg Harter and Michelle Rau. It is truly a wonderful place.”
Katie Clawson’s class takes place every Thursday, (except holidays), at Luv2Dance, located at 3604 Oakdale Road, Modesto, CA. To enroll, you must be 58 years of age or older, wheelchairs are welcome, and all physical issues are encouraged to participate.
From Katie’s perspective, “Dance is unlike any other exercise. It’s fun and not repetitious like regular exercise. It works on so many components of the nervous system and muscular system. It allows you to utilize your coordination, timing, rhythm, memory, integrating the body and extremities in unison. Most of us have seen YouTube videos of Parkinson’s patients unable to move or walk in silence, but who can move their bodies to music. Anyone can dance. Everyone SHOULD dance. Music is powerful. Dance is powerful. There is no rule that states dancing cannot happen seated, where many seniors feel safer!” Who can argue with Katie Clawson’s positivity?
Finally, I asked our signature question, “The Stones or the Beatles?” Katie replied, “The Beatles, because I like to dance to Twist and Shout!”
