SLICK MOVES: The granny hip-hop team are no posers

Who says hip hop belongs to the teenagers? In China, more and more seniors are choosing this trendy dance style as a way to keep fit, rather than the more serene movements of taiji or ballroom dancing in the parks.

Wu Ying is one of them. The 71-year-old Wu is the founder of a granny hip-hop dance team in Beijing, whose participants are in their 60s. Wu is the oldest in the team. In their loose modern outfits and hair wrapped in bandanas, these old ladies are not your stereotypical grannies. They go through their paces making difficult dance movements look easy, in perfect time to the thumping music that vibrates a rack of speakers.

Hip hop music and dance emerged in New York in the 1970s when club DJs began isolating the drum break in funk or disco songs for audiences to dance to.

But as the leader of the team, Wu's path to hip hop was not all plain sailing. After her retirement in 1999, she picked up weight. Hoping to slim down she went to exercise in a park nearby everyday and even joined a gym, but all to no avail.

In the summer of 2003, she saw a hip-hop competition on TV by chance, and was immediately attracted by the energetic music and cool moves. It reignited the love of dance she had in her youth.

Persistence pays off

But Wu's craze for hip hop has encountered many barriers. The coaches in gyms refused to accept her, saying she was too old to practice a dance that requires intense physical movement. She was also not supported by her family, who said hip hop is not elegant for older ladies.

But the more she was rejected, the more determined she became. Wu often stood in a corner of her gym, watching the youngsters dancing. A coach moved by her persistence, finally accepted his granny student. Not content with only learning in gym, Wu bought hip-hop videos and practiced at home.

While learning, she also made up her own dance moves, modifying the difficult steps into simple movements more suitable for aging bones. Her inspiration for the new steps was choreographed from daily household chores like cleaning windows, sweeping floors and washing clothes.

Wu's determination paid off. Soon her dancing skill was even surpassing that of teenagers who trained with her.

Through hip hop, Wu found that her coordination, flexibility and even memory retention have all improved. And the cherry on top for Wu is that she lost 10 kg. Being almost 70, the glamorous granny looks like she is in her 40s and radiates energy. Wang Anli, a professor from Beijing Sport University once tested Wu's heart beat after one of her team's performances, and found it to be normal, which has greatly strengthened her confidence in recommending the dancing to other seniors.

"I have found that hip hop can exercise every part of one's body, including your eyes and brain. It makes old dancers feel younger and more energetic. I hope other old people will join me," Wu said.

High on hip-hop

Her next move was to organize a senior hip-hop team. It wasn't easy. Wu visited all the parks in Beijing, but few seniors seemed interested in something they said was for teenagers. She stuck to her guns. In February 2004, Wu's granny hip-hop team took their first steps. With an average age of 60 it is the first senior hip-hop team in Beijing and China.

The team does not only dance. They want to go about things in a professional manner. There are two classes a week for them, which include basic hip-hop skill training, exercising complete dance routines and exchanges of feelings and experiences among the team members.

Besides collective learning, Wu also visits gym clubs to learn new movements and the latest hip-hop development trends which she adapts to suit her team.

With time the team's skill levels improved greatly. They participated in the hip-hop competitions hosted by CCTV, China's national TV station, in 2004 and 2005, taking third prize each time. In 2006, the granny hip-hop team took top honor at a national sports dance competition.

So how do these elderly ladies show up dancers almost 40 years younger than them. "It is our spirit," Wu said, as can be attested by anyone who sees the passion her team puts into each performance. "We dance with heart, and we hope to show others that hip hop is not only the preserve of young people," she said.

Fame spreading

They have gradually become more well-known, and their team has been growing. From five members initially, Wu's team has now grown to be around 70 with many members coming from other provinces around the country. They are often invited to perform at opening ceremonies or social events. The grannies treasure every opportunity to perform for others. Their professional dance and optimistic attitude to life have made them role models to audiences.

"I think hip hop is a way to find happiness and health. It has not only enriched our life but also made us feel young and happy, and when we dance we bring happiness to others," Wu said. She also hopes to have a chance to perform at the Beijing Olympic Games this year.

Many members of Wu's team feel younger and more fashionable. Encouraged by Wu, her team members dress more stylish, wear make-up and now are old hands at posing in front of the camera. Wu always says that you are never too old to try fashionable things. She keeps a close eye on the team's wardrobe, making sure it's always up to date.

With increasing fame, Wu is in demand as a hip-hop teacher with growing numbers of seniors beating a path to her hip-hop door and more teams being formed in Beijing and other cities. This is one granny who is clearly dancing to her own tune.