Me and my fitness

A singer with a band in the sixties, he now teaches aerobics, pilates and reiki. He also does healing, has a line dance teaching certificate, is a personal trainer and loves surfing in Cornwall. He admits he can not take his drink, was once seriously over-weight, and believes being "rakishly thin" is no good as the brain needs fat to work. And one of his most important exercises is sleeping . . . HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT?

I teach aerobics, aqua-aerobics, step aerobics and kick-aerobics and pilates between 16 and 19 hours a week. Most of it is actually performing the exercises so that it can be mimicked by the class. I have to show different levels so it is quite arduous. Also, I enjoy walking and spending time with nature whenever possible. We like to get into the ocean and surf in Cornwall. And when I was young, I was a singer and dancer in a band called Santa Fe Re-Union and we played at Wigan Casino and Bolton Palais in the sixties. Some of that is what I do in aerobics. What is also important is sleep. When exercising, muscles only heal and repair themselves properly when we are asleep. I do ensure that I have sufficient sleep as a part of my active lifestyle and would recommend that others do too.

WHY DO YOU WANT TO KEEP FIT?

To me, exercise is about enjoying life more. I don't see the point in doing it for exercise's sake. I know what it's like not to be fit. When I was 30 years old I weighed 17 and a half stone and had high blood pressure. I was 5ft 8in and rotund. I had tried every diet in the book, they worked but only for a short time. Then a colleague at work took me to a gym to do weights. After that visit I spent virtually a weekend in bed. But that was my introduction to exercise. My belief is that fitness has saved my life. Also, I believe sleep depravation is a major problem in society and leads to many social problems. Unfortunately I can only see the problems resulting from sleep depravation increasing over coming years as we, as a society, find more and more activities to do late in the evenings and as we move towards a more "three shift" society -- all night shopping and so on.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR PARTICULAR ACTIVITIES?

I started to read a lot about aerobics and it started to appeal to me. It reminded me of what I did in the sixties. When I went to a class I was the only man but that didn't bother me. I had arthritis in my hip so I read about pilates and got really into that. I could see the therapeutic value. It is the most wonderful exercise I have ever done. It is about connecting the mind and body. Pilates and aerobics are non-competitive -- it is you against your body.

WHERE AND HOW OFTEN DO YOU EXERCISE?

I teach pilates six hours a week. I also practise at home in the conservatory. And I have to practise my aerobics.

HOW WOULD YOU RATE YOUR COMPETENCE?

I feel I rate adequately at pilates. People enjoy the class. I have had my certificate for three years. I would say I am very good at aerobics -- I have been doing it for years. The one I do least is kick-box, but I include some of it in aerobics.

ARE YOU HAPPY WITH YOUR SHAPE, WEIGHT, FITNESS LEVELS?

I am happy with my shape, I still fit in my nice Lycras. One thing I have noticed is the swelling of the internal organs as you get older. I come across a lot of youngsters who are driving themselves too hard. There is too much emphasis placed on being slim. I now weigh around 12 stone. My fitness amazes me. I have just taken on two more classes and do lots of standing in for people, and somehow the energy comes.

ANY INJURIES?

I never drive my body to injury. Though occasionally I suffer from an impact injury, but that doesn't stop me from work. I can put my hand on my heart and say I have not had any injuries. You have to respect your body and listen to it.

DO YOU FIND IT HARD TO FIND TIME FOR ALL YOUR ACTIVITIES?

I make time. That is the only thing you can do. I do have a busy life. But it is exciting. Sometimes you feel you do not want to move, but you just get up and do it.

HAVE YOU EVER PRACTISED ANY OTHER SPORTS?

Yes, surfing in the sixties. I do love it but we don't live near the sea. But I like the idea of winning the Lottery and just surfing.

WHICH OTHER SPORT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY?

I would like to spend more time on Qui Gong. It is from China, a very gentle form of exercise. Imagine standing in the ocean and feeling as though the water is lifting you up -- that is your body energy. I want people to come in to a class and touch their body and feel what is happening -- it is not just exercise, it is an experience.

DO YOU DRINK OR SMOKE AND WHAT SORT OF A DIET DO YOU HAVE?

I hardly ever drink, just a glass of red wine every couple of weeks. For many years, I was completely tea-total. I've never been any good at drinking. I've never smoked, I was never tempted. I have a vegetarian diet but sometimes eat a little fish. I eat healthily but I don't believe we should reduce too many fats because they are needed for the brain. I'm not one of these people who believes everybody should be rakishly thin.

WHICH SINGLE THING WOULD MOST IMPROVE YOUR ACTIVE LIFESTYLE?

Having more time to surf. I don't spend enough time doing that.

John teaches pilates at Kearsley Leisure Centre on Tuesday nights from 6.30 until 7.15 and at Heywood Leisure Centre on the same night from 8 until 9. PILATES POWER: Excercise is about enjoying life says John Dixon Ref: J70/30 TAKE IT EASY: "I never drive my body to injury" Ref: J70/17

PIC 3 CONNECTING MIND AND BODY: John demonstrates a posture (j70/33)