If you try not to do anything more, and just to sit, then nothing will happen!

30 years ago, Rosemarie Moeschlin, would have never imagined that she is dancing Zumba in the Joggeli Fitness Center twice a week.

A wrong move, and she hurt her back (which was already sensible) and had to go to the hospital. The diagnosis was terrible, the doctors recommended a surgery and warned that she might be living in a wheelchair for the rest of her life.

Rosemarie

I have got to know Rosemarie in Basel, Switzerland. We are going together to the Zumba class. I admire her because she is the only retired person in our dance classes. But she is not a usual retired woman. Her body had 3 surgeries already. But that does not prevent her from enjoying the latin dances.

„I could neither get up, nor walk or even go to the bathroom alone“, she remembers the day that left a big mark in her live. But I did not want surgery. I began to look for other options and I found a Therapy centre in Basel, where I started excercises to strengthen my back. I have been 3 weeks in bed before I began the therapy.

It saved Rosie from the wheelchair. She was 40 years old. And she took her faith and her recovery in her own hand without going to surgery.

When she was 10 years old, she fell from a tree. Playing. It did not seem important and she did not go to the doctor. They told her to move on, nothing happened. There were things more important to do in that time after war.

I have gotten to known Zumba through a portuguese friend

Rosie started her life in Zumba thanks to the recommendation of a colleague in the therapy. Alicia from Portugal suggested she should join the zumba class at the therapy gym.

She knew Zumba from the television, and she had bought some DVDs that came to the market.

„I liked Zumba because it gives me happyness and keeps me moving“

She had surgery before she went to Zumba

She is a passionate  Zumba Fan

Before she started her Zumba classes in the gym, she asked her doctor if it would be possible for her to dance. „Of course, but just pay attention that you dont fall.“

That was after the 2 sugeries. She has two big peaces of metal in her knees. With 62 years she had to replace the first knee, and then, one year after, the second.

„As long as I can I will dance Zumba. Until 80 at least. Maybe a bit slower, with less power“. And I am sure she will achieve this. She is such a passionate zumba dancer.

Rosemarie even had a third surgery. She fell at home as she was 67 years, on her way from the terrace to the living room. She had to have surgery for her shoulder.

The doctors repaired her shoulder with a lot of tape and metal. She had to put a special jacket on and to pause a bit. „But afterwards I want to dance Zumba again“.

What is broken is broken. But you have to go to your limits

After our Zumba class at Joggeli Fitness Center

Rosemarie loves the latin music in the Zumba classes. „When the music is playing, the body follows the music. Then you have the right rhythm and that is very funny.“

„For me, the speed is not ideal, but I love the happyness that comes with the music. That is Zumba for me.“

After 3 surgeries Rosie tries new Zumba songs always slowly. But she tries always to reach her limits.

„What is broken is broken. You cannot repair it. But you can always try to go to your limits. Suddenly the body has strength. Everything is in the mind.“

„The people with health problems can always try to move. If you try not to do anything more, and just to sit, then nothing will happen. You will get stiff and you will not move anymore. You have to decide for the movement. Only yourself can help yourself.“

And so Rosie moves on. She exercises on the Crosstrainer before the Zumba class. After the Zumba class she excercises on the weight machines. At the end she goes to the Sauna, to relax her muscles.

„What I wish in the Zumba class is more latin music. The worldmusic is not for me. I need the latin rhythm to move and stay active.“