Holden stepping off the dance floor

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This article was published 04/07/2016 (3594 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Cheryl Holden may have just shared the last dance, but the memories will last forever.

Holden, 57, recently called time on 38 years of teaching dancing and fitness classes in St. Vital’s Elm Park neighbourhood, as well as other communities.

Her affiliation with Windsor Community Centre (99 Springside Dr.) dates back to her first class in 1978, when she taught aerobic dancing. More recently, Holden has been instructing pilates and zumba classes. On many occasions, the sessions have been held in the gym at Windsor School next door.

Holden held her last class on June 22, prior to a celebration event.

“It’s meant a lot to me to be able to provide classes, and I’ve always tried to keep costs down to make them affordable for people in the community,” said Holden, a point of purchase manager at Palliser Furniture.

As well as the fitness benefits to her classes, Holden said bringing the community together is one of the main aspects of her work that she is most proud of. In one of countless examples, a woman who took part in her classes for 35 years and now lives in Vancouver remains a friend.

“In terms of community engagement, everyone that steps into the club for a class is welcomed with open arms,” Holden said.

“And I was absolutely touched by everyone that came to the party. The amount of people that came out was amazing. Windsor has been one of my favourite places to teach, as the people have been so warm and friendly. I know the friendships I’ve made are going to continue. It’s hard to believe that I won’t be returning in September, but I’m honoured that so many people came out to have that last dance.”

On top of her Elm Park tenure; Holden’s instructing resume includes lunchtime and after-work programs at Palliser, sessions at the YMCA-YWCA on Fermor Avenue, Greendell Park Community Centre and the Sunova Centre, as well as events at schools and churches.

Holden’s daughter, Amanda, 27, has followed in her mom’s footsteps, having received her instructing licence three years ago, and the pair has recently been teaching classes together. And while Amanda won’t immediately be taking over the reins from her mom while she focuses on completing her education, Holden has enjoyed their collaboration to date.

“We’ve been able to attract different generations to the classes,” she said.

St. Vital resident Patti Wawyn has attended Holden’s classes for the last decade, and is grateful for her contribution in the community.

“Her dedication has been amazing, as she’s been there through sleet and snow,” Wawyn, 62, said.

“As an instructor, she’s engaging, funny, warm, welcoming, very skilled, and so dedicated. She changes up the routine every session, so it’s never boring.”

And while Holden’s heart will always be in Windsor School’s gym, she is now looking forward to new chapters in her life.

“It’s probably time to start travelling, and I want to spend more time with my family,” Holden said.

simon.fuller@canstarnews.com

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