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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
National
Donna Blankinship

Playing hip-hop or Doris Day, older exercise instructors can speak their peers' language

Be Well Older Exercise Instructors - (Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

Bengie Santos was a dancer and choreographer for 30 years before reaching an age when most artists hang up their dancing shoes and take a seat in the audience. But she wasn’t ready to sit back and enjoy the show. So Santos began her third act as an exercise instructor.

Now 72 and in her 14th year teaching at the YMCA of Greater Seattle, Santos has an almost cult-like following of older adults — many in their 80s and 90s — who come to stretch, dance and lift weights multiple times a week.

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