Dancing Into Health
By: Mallory Hardin
Updated: December 17, 2012
Research continues to show us the benefits of exercise lead to a longer, happier life. One Arkansan has found an entertaining way to stay in shape and has become quite a star because of it.
His steps are perfect & he's always on beat. It's no surprise this dancer has won national dance competitions.
He is 92 year old Joseph Van Duyse; a retired farmer, a World War II veteran, and now at the age of 92, a professional dancer.
"He's in here religiously. We work as hard as we can," Melia Mellard, dance instructor at Fred Estaire Dance Studio said.
He's in the studio at least three times a week mastering his routines.
"You meet people. It's good exercise, it keeps me going and I simply like it. I like dancing," Joseph Van Duyse said.
Joseph started dancing ten years ago at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in North Little Rock. His favorite dance? The Waltz.
"It's a stately dance. It's elegant if it's done right. I don't know if I do but I'll keep trying," Van Duyse said.
Joseph never stops trying. Just over a year ago he fell and broke his hip. To the amazement of his doctors, he was up and ready to go just a few months later.
"I came back here to to the studio in September of last year. It was the 81st day after I fell. I wasn't dancing but I was starting," Van Duyse said.
It didn't take long until he was back on his feet competing again on a national stage.
"You feel a little bit scared. But you get out there and do your pattern and hope for the best. Sometimes you do get a pretty good score," said Van Duyse.
More times than not, he gets a great score. He has won numerous dance competitions and always steals the show.
"I'm flattered. I do the best I can," Van Duyse said.
His performances not only amaze the crowd. He inspires everyone he meets, including his dance partner of seven years, Melia.
"When you have someone that determined to keep going, it gives you inspiration," Melia Mallard said.
He is a testament to the benefits of dance and exercise, no matter your age or ability.
"You may start out tired but if you get into, it will limber up your muscles and your joints, you will simply feel better," Van Duyse said.
In Joseph's 92 years he's seen the best of times and the worst of times. He says no matter the hardships you face, you can always find something to lift you up.
"Even in hard economic times, people can dance. There's no reason you can't. I only takes 2 people to do it. I plan to keep dancing as long as I'm physically able to do it," Van Duyse said.
His steps are perfect & he's always on beat. It's no surprise this dancer has won national dance competitions.
He is 92 year old Joseph Van Duyse; a retired farmer, a World War II veteran, and now at the age of 92, a professional dancer.
"He's in here religiously. We work as hard as we can," Melia Mellard, dance instructor at Fred Estaire Dance Studio said.
He's in the studio at least three times a week mastering his routines.
"You meet people. It's good exercise, it keeps me going and I simply like it. I like dancing," Joseph Van Duyse said.
Joseph started dancing ten years ago at the Fred Astaire Dance Studio in North Little Rock. His favorite dance? The Waltz.
"It's a stately dance. It's elegant if it's done right. I don't know if I do but I'll keep trying," Van Duyse said.
Joseph never stops trying. Just over a year ago he fell and broke his hip. To the amazement of his doctors, he was up and ready to go just a few months later.
"I came back here to to the studio in September of last year. It was the 81st day after I fell. I wasn't dancing but I was starting," Van Duyse said.
It didn't take long until he was back on his feet competing again on a national stage.
"You feel a little bit scared. But you get out there and do your pattern and hope for the best. Sometimes you do get a pretty good score," said Van Duyse.
More times than not, he gets a great score. He has won numerous dance competitions and always steals the show.
"I'm flattered. I do the best I can," Van Duyse said.
His performances not only amaze the crowd. He inspires everyone he meets, including his dance partner of seven years, Melia.
"When you have someone that determined to keep going, it gives you inspiration," Melia Mallard said.
He is a testament to the benefits of dance and exercise, no matter your age or ability.
"You may start out tired but if you get into, it will limber up your muscles and your joints, you will simply feel better," Van Duyse said.
In Joseph's 92 years he's seen the best of times and the worst of times. He says no matter the hardships you face, you can always find something to lift you up.
"Even in hard economic times, people can dance. There's no reason you can't. I only takes 2 people to do it. I plan to keep dancing as long as I'm physically able to do it," Van Duyse said.
