THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, February 16, 1996 TAG: 9602140177
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY XIAOHONG ZHANG SWAIN, CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
At the age of 55, Jimmy Jones of Western Branch decided he needed an exercise program to help him stay in shape. Some co-workers suggested jazzercise, dance-link calisthenics performed to a musical beat. Jones was dubious.
Now Jones, a Chesapeake lawyer, is the only male certified jazzercise instructor in Hampton Roads.
``My marriage, my children and my career are top priorities in my life,'' said Jones. ``But jazzercise has a place up there with the others.
``Physically, jazzercise puts me in an excellent shape at my age. Mentally, it's a stress-breaker.''
Vicky Distel, owner of Western Branch Jazzercise Fitness Center, confirms that Jones has a promising future teaching jazzercise.
``I feel real confident with Jimmy,'' said Distel, who is also a certified jazzercise instructor. ``He's a go-getter.''
Jones teaches a ``musical chair'' class, designed for people 55 years old and older who use a chair for physical support while doing the exercises. The classes are held at Centenary United Methodist Church in Portsmouth on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
``He makes everyone feel important,'' said Bobbie Thompson, 60. ``He has a lot of concern.''
``This guy named Jimmy, they call him a god,'' said Brenda Gould, 53, of Churchland, Thompson's sister.
``I don't miss a beat with Jimmy,'' concurred Celia Stone, 61, of Portsmouth. ``He shows the way so we can follow.''
``He's just fun to exercise with,'' said Stella Williamson, 70, of Western Branch. ``I feel so energized after the class. I'm breathing better and walking better.''
Jones also teaches an afternoon class on Wednesdays for teachers at Western Branch High School and occasionally serves as a substitute teacher for classes at the Western Branch center.
Jones has passion, pride and discipline for his teaching. He comes early before class, changing into his tank top and biker shorts, assembling the wireless radio system he carries on his body, selecting music and tuning the sound system to the right level. In class, Jones moves with energy, and he uses humor to help participants keep up with the exercises.
``Come forward, baby,'' Jones chanted in between a series of backward and forward steps at a class of young and middle-aged people. ``Don't be shy. You look so good!''
Once in a while, Jones would sing along with the song being played and direct the verses toward his students.
``Come on, be my partner,'' Jones shouted during a line dance number.
Jones is proud of the fact that after a daunting three-day certification workshop he became one of only about 50 male jazzercise instructors in the nation. Jazzercise International has certified 5,000 instructors overall, said Jones, but only about 1 percent of them are men.
Jones has only one shortcoming when it comes to jazzercise.
``I have no hips,'' Jones lamented. That's a decided disadvantage in an activity where jazzy hip movements are routine. ``I can't move like a woman. I don't have the style, the agility and good looks of the female instructors. I just do the best I can.''
There was a time when jazzercise was the last thing on Jones' mind. He was introduced to the activity by co-workers at his law firm.
Jones' first reaction was: ``Jazzercise? I didn't know men did jazzercise.''
But Jones had already agreed to participate in whatever program his colleagues chose. So, with a great deal of reluctance, he took his first steps on a jazzercise floor.
``Out of all the staff, I'm the one who has lasted the longest,'' Jones said. ``I'm the one who likes jazzercise best.''
Jones has even composed poetry to express his enjoyment of jazzercise:
...Locked to Nature and Creation with
each plie, turn or triplet
Freed in total joy from real
pain and stress
Lost and yet fulfilled
in the magic of dance. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
Jimmy Jones, a Chesapeake lawyer, is the only male certified
jazzercise instructor in Hampton Roads.
by CNB