The Diabetes Association of Fall River and New Bedford began offering Hip Hop With Us! dance classes in November, 2005, for kids 10-14 who are at risk of developing Type II diabetes at their office, 170 Pleasant Street, Fall River. The program runs every Thursday from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Katie Sousa of Posé Dance Studio and her sister Karen teach hip hop dance offering the kids plenty of healthy exercise in the process. Once they complete the class, participants are given a CD with the music from the program that they can take with them to continue the exercises. This has been a very popular class, with over 20 enrolled and more on the waiting list. The class was one of eleven Micro-grant programs sponsored by Healthy City Fall River with funds provided by Southcoast Hospitals. It is a follow-up to the Keep Moving class that was offered last year. The Hip Hop class will be offered again in the spring. Contact Bill DaPonte at the Diabetes Association at 508-672-5671 to refer prospective participants.
 

(Top row) Youngsters, primarily from local middle schools, spend a good twenty minutes doing stretches and warm up exercises prior to learning dance numbers. Hip Hop dance requires considerable agility and muscle strength and is an excellent way for youth to get in shape and stay that way while having a lot of fun. (Middle row) Katie Sousa emphasizes good physical fitness as a requirement for dance. (Bottom row, center and right) Katie Sousa demonstrates some of the hip dance moves she has developed.