Lake Oswego dance teacher 'inspiration to us all'

LAKE OSWEGO, Ore. (KOIN) -- Since 1978 MJ Farr has gone to a dance class at the Lakewood Center in Lake Oswego. Over the years, she and many other women have a standing appointment each Monday, Wednesday and Friday to dance.

"Dancing to music, I'm working out but I don't feel like I'm working out," Farr said.

Marilyn Katcher is another regular. She said she gets a "positive feeling" when she comes to the class. "This is like family. Everybody supports each other and Cynthia is always upbeat."

'Cynthia' is Cynthia Hively, who's been teaching this dance workout class for almost two decades.

"Even if we're not doing all the moves right, everybody is just having a good time and laughing and I mess up all the time," Hively said. "Marilyn takes care of me and has the steps."

It's open to anyone of all ages and skill levels -- and people with broken arms like Maureen Smith.

"I do not want to miss this. This is everything to me," said Smith, who broke her arm just days before. "It makes me happy. not just the people but a wonderful teacher. She's an inspiration to all of us. We love her."

They all brought it back to Cynthia Hively, who incorporates well-known music with easy-to-learn moves.

And that makes it fun for Joan Freed.

"I'm one of those people who doesn't like to exercise," Freed said. "This class allows you to have fun and you're feeling sensations -- and by the way you're getting exercise."