Legendary Dayton dancer’s advice for staying healthy during quarantine

Sheri ‘Sparkle’ Williams: “If there are others within your household, enlist them to carry out these tips with you. You might just end up having some fun!”
Sheri "Sparkle" Williams rehearses with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in their Dayton studio. The company will perform "Etchings," a dance created by female choreographers at the Eichelberger Theatre at Stivers High School for the Arts Saturday Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m and Sunday Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. LISA POWELL / STAFF

Credit: Lisa Powell

Credit: Lisa Powell

Sheri "Sparkle" Williams rehearses with the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company in their Dayton studio. The company will perform "Etchings," a dance created by female choreographers at the Eichelberger Theatre at Stivers High School for the Arts Saturday Feb. 20 at 7:30 p.m and Sunday Feb. 21 at 3 p.m. LISA POWELL / STAFF
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By Libby Ballengee
May 1, 2020
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The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company would normally be in the studio training and rehearsing with their company fitness trainer, the legendary Sheri "Sparkle" Williams. Because of the coronavirus, DCDC’s dancers are keeping in shape at home, with advice from Williams.

As a professional dancer for an unprecedented 46 seasons, Williams is renowned for her own physical fitness and personal resiliency. Now, she’s offering Daytonians advice about how to stay healthy physically, mentally and emotionally during the quarantine.

The following tips were written by Williams and published in DCDC’s April 2020 newsletter.

1. Utilize YouTube for free workouts

There are a number of excellent fitness professionals offering great workout videos that offer both introductory exercise and follow along formats. Tabata, cardio, strength training, tai chi and yoga are a few exercise suggestions.

ajc.com

Credit: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

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Credit: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

Be discerning and know that all workouts are not for every body! Keep in mind, fewer reps with excellent execution is better than more reps done with compromised form. Your safety is a priority so make sure to secure your workout area, and always listen to your body.

>> READ MORE: A Sunday chat with Sheri "Sparkle" Williams 

2. Get some fresh air

Remember you don’t have to stay cooped up inside! It’s perfectly OK to go outside, if not to exercise, then at least to breathe and soak up some nourishing sun.

Sheri “Sparkle” Williams, the iconic long-time dancer for DCDC. Staff Photo by Jim Witmer

Credit: Jim Witmer

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Credit: Jim Witmer

3. Pamper yourself

Being healthy also involves feeling good, so take baths, light candles, COOK! Do things that will set your senses free.

Sheri "Sparkle" Williams performs with The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Thursday at the University of Dayton as part of UD's artist-in-residence program. DCDC will hold the world premiere of "Traces" Feb. 23 at the Dayton Masonic Temple. They will be joined by the Stivers School For the Arts Dance Ensemble. STAFF PHOTO BY LISA POWELL

Credit: Lisa Powell

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Credit: Lisa Powell

4. Engage your mind

Do not forget about your mind! Use this time to catch up on some studying or leisure reading, work word puzzles or learn to play chess. For me, being healthy involves utilizing both sides of the brain. Discover your inner artist or dive into a do-it-yourself project. Dare to try something you’ve never tried before.

DCDC dancer Sheri “Sparkle” Williams is the subject of a documentary that recently won the 2012 Audience Award at the international SilverDocs film festival. The film, by Steve Bognar and Julia Reichert, will premiere locally on Friday night, Nov. 2 at the Dayton Art Institute.

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5. Dance Dance Dance!

Turn up your favorite tunes and dance to your heart’s content! Just MOVE! Do things that will keep you from sitting and/or eating all day and that will call upon you to breathe with effort. If there are others within your household, enlist them to carry out these tips with you. You might just end up having some fun!

DCDC dancer “Sheri “Sparkle” Williams is shown here in “Body Talk.” She is the recipient of the OhioDance Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Dance Art Form. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY AUDREY INGRAM

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About Dayton Contemporary Dance Company

The company was founded in 1968 to create performance opportunities for dancers of color. Nearly 50 years later, they remained rooted in the African American experience, and committed to the development of diverse movement artists on the global stage.

How you can help

DCDC is participating in Giving Tuesday Now, a global day of giving that will take place on May 5, 2020, as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. To contribute to DCDC's funding effort, click here.

Stories of hope

We all need inspiration in these difficult times. And as always, this community delivers. We are sharing these stories of hope in action, every day in the Dayton Daily News.

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About the Author

Libby Ballengee