Adult Movement (Dance) Classes at the JCC Indianapolis
Enrichment activities like dance are an essential component of the Jewish value “Briyut,” or wellness. The JCC Indianapolis is committed to providing healthy choices for improving the mind, body, and spirit of members of all ages. Programs like dance enhance all three areas as participants learn new skills, get moving, and express themselves creatively. Looking for Youth Dance? See our youth dance classes for ages 3 and older.
Adult Movement (Dance) Class
Movers get ready to return to dance, or get started dancing for the first time. Learn basic technique and conditioning, borrowing from ballet, jazz, yoga, modern dance, and more. No previous dance experience required. Have FUN in a non-stop class, from floor work to standing combinations.
Benefits of Dance as Exercise
It’s fun.
The more you enjoy your exercise routine, the more likely you are to stick with it. Many people say they have so much fun dancing that they forget they are actually exercising.
Tones your entire body.
You may feel sore in places you never knew existed, but it gets results. Dance targets lots of different muscle groups at once for total body toning. It strengthens your core, helps improve flexibility and range of motion, builds your balance, and more!
Makes you happy.
Every time you exercise, you release endorphins, which trigger positive feelings throughout the body.
A Movement Class Is Best Suited for …
- Those looking for a low-impact workout.
- Women ages 24-55+ looking to lose or maintain weight.
- Adults who want to maximize the amount of time they have available to get a full-body workout.
What to Expect
Clothing
Attire: athletic clothing, something comfortable to move in. Shoes are not necessary.
Cost
Our Adult Movement classes are open to JCC members and non-members. Cost varies depending on length of session; please see our online registration tool for current prices.
Schedule
Check our online registration tool for current or upcoming dates and times.
The Pescovitz Dance Studio
Adult movement (dance) lessons are held in the Pescovitz Dance Studio, a 1,000-square-foot space on the north side of the JCC building featuring a Marley floor, floor-to-ceiling mirrors, and barres on three sides.
JCC Adult Movement (Dance) Instructor
Jaclyn Virgin Oomkes is an Indianapolis native. She received her BFA from Butler University in Dance Performance. Immediately following, she became a member of Dance Kaleidoscope – Professional Modern Dance Company in Indianapolis, IN. In 2006 she began to blossom in her teaching/choreography career. She has been teaching classical modern, ballet, and jazz for over 20 years. She has been a guest teacher/ choreographer for various companies such as Dance Kaleidoscope, Libada Dance Company and Kenyetta Dance Company She was on faculty at Jordan Academy of Dance where she taught ballet, modern, and jazz and was Associate Director to the Jordan Dance Ensemble. In 2008 she founded the (RE)Collective Company that involved live music and dance. She also has been on faculty for the Butler Ballet Summer Program since 2016. Currently, Jaclyn serves as Adjunct Dance Faculty at Butler University and Artistic Director of Butler Community Arts School 7-12 year old dance camp. She is a certified Yoga/ Pilates instructor for various studios around Indianapolis. Jaclyn is excited to share her passion and joy of dance to all ages of life.
ABOUT DRS. MARK (Z”L) AND ORA HIRSCH PESCOVITZ
Mark and Ora Pescovitz lived in the Indianapolis area for more than 30 years and have a longstanding passion for the arts and giving back to the community with their time, talent, and treasure. After meeting at Northwestern University in 1974, they married in 1979 and together had three children. Ora is the current president of Oakland University near Detroit and previously held high-ranking positions at Eli Lilly and the University of Michigan’s health system, Indiana University’s research department, and Riley Hospital for Children. Before he died in 2010, Mark was a Professor of Microbiology/Immunology and director of the transplant immunology lab at Indiana University School of Medicine.
z”l: Zichrono l’vracha, of blessed memory
Fitness Is a Core Jewish Value
At the JCC, fitness isn’t just something we do; it’s who we are. Although exercise is not mentioned in the Torah, taking care of one’s health is. In fact, while other belief systems advocate for the healing power of prayer, Judaism encourages people to look after their health and seek counsel from medical experts. In Judaism, good health is not a goal in itself; rather, it is a means to an end – to serve the Creator.