St. James health fair, ‘Day of Dance,’ can take a bow

• Reprints

Couple Tom Masbaum and Linda Nyberg, of Oak Forest, dance February 16 during the national Day of Dance for your Health event at the St. James Health & Wellness Institute in Chicago Heights. | Brett Roseman~Sun-Times Media

Updated: March 18, 2012 8:16AM

A dance-themed health and wellness fair hosted Thursday night by St. James Health & Wellness Institute in Chicago Heights went so well that organizers are planning to make it an annual event.

More than 600 people signed up for the medical center’s inaugural “Day of Dance for Your Health,” a national event to promote heart health.

“We think it’s important for people to know that dancing is exercising,” said Sue Johnson, the executive director of the center. “Nobody thinks they’re exercising when they’re having fun.”

Dozens of people gave their hearts a workout during the 3 1/2-hour event as “Fun! Fun! Fun! DJs” pumped out songs with a beat, and instructors led participants in everything from a Qigong demonstration — an ancient Chinese practice that includes various postures, breathing techniques and focused attention — to Zumba dancing.

“The ‘Day of Dance’ part is what attracted us here,” said Tom Masbaum, of Oak Forest, as he and dance partner Linda Nyberg took a break.

Masbaum said the benefits of dance are obvious to him.

“First of all, it’s exercise, but it’s also happy, upbeat. It’s positive energy,” he said. “Look at their faces. Almost everyone’s smiling.”

The upbeat atmosphere — there was dance exercise, music, heart-healthy food, and trivia games with prizes — softened the serious intent of the evening: keeping hearts healthy, especially women’s hearts.

In his welcoming remarks, cardiologist Dr. Proddutur Reddy said one in three American women has heart disease — the No. 1 killer of females — by age 60.

“Everyone knows it’s the women who take care of the health in the family,” Reddy said. “It’s important that you take care of yourselves.”

Reddy said that means “knowing your numbers — body mass index, blood pressure, glucose levels and cholesterol levels.”

Free screenings to determine those “numbers” and more were among the evening’s offerings. Representatives from all of the hospital’s major services were on hand to provide information and answer questions. Meanwhile, doctors manned “Ask Your Physician” tables.

The dancers weren’t the only ones who found something to smile about. Shanee Norfleet, 25, of Chicago Heights, said a free screening showed her blood pressure had improved. It had become a recent concern.

“My mother dragged me here against my will because I have high blood pressure,” Norfleet said. “It was lower. I’m actually excited about that.”

Gloria Norfleet said her daughter was eating less fast food, exercising more and was under less stress after finding a new job. Norfleet said she planned to have her cholesterol checked and her daughter-in-law, Tanya Norfleet, 33, was going to have her glucose levels screened.

“I think this is absolutely wonderful,” Gloria Norfleet said. “Even though I’m someone who sees a doctor regularly, for those who don’t, this is great. Health is everything.”