Key Points
- Miku Ono's adult hip-hop dance classes bring together participants of many ages.
- One participant in his 70s says dancing is 'a lot of fun' and helps him make friends.
- An expert explains that dance has broad health benefits.
Every week, they gather in a Sydney dance studio to sweat, laugh and share a love for dance.
The adult hip-hop dance classes run by Japanese dancer and choreographer Miku Ono welcome everyone from new parents in their 20s to retirees in their 70s.
Participants are put through their paces at Miku Ono's adult hip-hop dance class in Sydney. Credit: SBS
He said that while he had always been interested in dance, he never had a chance to take it up before.
Aiku Ikeguchi, 73, is a regular at the classes, which began in February 2024. Credit: SBS
Ikeguchi has been diligently attending every class twice a week, sometimes even doing private lessons with Ono.
I love the sound, the beat. It fills my heart with joy.Aiku Ikeguchi
"I am also so happy to have found new friends to share this passion," he added.
Ikeguchi, who previously ran many businesses, said dance had the magic to bring people together.
"Unlike the men's business world, there is no status. There is nothing like that here, so it is a lot of fun," he said.
Sae Namekata explained that she always brings her preschooler to class in order to give herself the "mum time" she needs as she juggles work and parenthood.
Sae Namekata said she enjoys the challenge of hip-hop dancing. Credit: SBS
It's just that kind of exercise that activates the part of the brain that I never use.Sae Namekata
"The head is doing this, and the belly is doing this. Meanwhile, the body weight needs to be shifted this way, and you need to swing something else," she said.
Benefits of dance
Dr Alycia Fong Yan from the University of Sydney's Faculty of Medicine and Health said dance significantly improves physical, psychological, and cognitive health.
"The effectiveness of dance interventions is most evident in the domains of self-efficacy, anxiety, depression, motivation and health-related quality of life, particularly in older individuals and also demonstrated equivalent effects compared to usual forms of physical activity," she told SBS Japanese.
While the field of dance for health research is still relatively new, she said early studies show that structured dance offers a cognitive challenge not inherent in other exercise modalities.
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"Movement planning, remembering the dance sequences, planning for the next step, staying in time with the music in addition to the creative expression, are all happening at the same time," Yan said.
"My systematic review of literature study found equivalent improvements to components of memory and motivation when compared to exercise," she added.
Miku Ono's class members have embraced hip-hop dancing. Credit: SBS
"Dance is a compulsory subject in Japan's junior high school," she said.
But she added that teaching these students who are "young at heart" is an extra rewarding experience.
Miku Ono is the teacher of this adult hip-hop class. Credit: SBS
You can start to dance at any age.Miku Ono
"When I came to Australia as a 29-year-old, I too realised that there is no age limit to starting or challenging something new."
Yuki Kato, whose two daughters also learn from Ono, echoed these sentiments.
"It doesn't matter where you're from, where you are, what you do," she said, adding that she enjoyed sharing the same passion as her daughters.
"I hope they think I am cool."
Yuki's two daughters also learn hip-hop dance from Miku. Credit: SBS
"Not everyone enjoys going to the gym, going for a run or lifting weights," she said.
But people may not realise that dance can actually be an equally effective alternative modality to standard exercise.Dr Alycia Fong Yan, University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine
"If dance is something you have always wanted to learn, or was an activity you used to do when you were younger, there are plenty of options in the community to choose from.
"With any new physical activity, make sure you have medical clearance before you start," Yan said.
Listen to SBS Japanese Audio on Tue, Thu and Fri from 1pm on SBS 3.
