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Raise Your Game: Why dance?

Debbie Moore: I used to be a top international model, but my marriage broke up and it was very dramatic for me emotionally. As a result I got an underactive thyroid and I started to gain excess weight.

However I found a homeopathic doctor who said that one of the best forms of exercise, which is not only uplifting, but exercises every single muscle in your body, is dancing. So I went to a small dance studio, which was the only one in London, and it was amazing!

RYG: How did the idea of Pineapple begin?

DM: Unfortunately the dance studio that I was going to closed and I was inspired by the all the incredible dancers who had worked really hard at the studio and now didn't have a space. I thought "Why not open one myself."

Just across the road from the studio were all these derelict warehouses, from where the old fruit market had moved away, and that's where Pineapple began.

I wanted to provide a great space with great floors and bring in the best teachers from all over the world. It would be a space where everyone could enjoy themselves, feel fit and healthy and most importantly to have fun.

RYG: Can everyone dance?

DM: Everybody has it in them to dance. Most people have got rhythm. Let's face it we all dance at parties, clubbing and at weddings. Dance has always been a celebration for generations.

When I started Pineapple I wanted to open a building that was for everyone. I broke down the elitist barriers around dance as I wanted it to be for any age, for all walks of life and from absolute beginner up to advanced professional level. So everyone can come.

RYG: Is it a case of just letting yourself go?

DM: Some people are shy at first, especially if they go on their own, but as you go each week, you get to know the people around you.

I have never been great at dancing, but it doesn't matter because I enjoy It. Dance is so good for your mind and your body because you have to concentrate and learn the moves.

Dance is great for meeting people and making friends. Even if you go to a class on your own Pineapple always has a friendly, open door. If we see people hovering and looking a bit shy we say "Come on, come in and have a look around."

RYG: What's your favourite form of dance?

DM: I really enjoy rock and jazz dancing, with a bit of latino thrown in. It's very good because there is lot's of stretching first, it's a great warm up and it's great music. Music in itself is so uplifting.

RYG: You must feel a great deal of pride personally for achieving this?

DM: It's amazing to think that I was driven by my huge admiration and respect for dancers and how hard they work.

It's also about getting young people off the streets. Sometimes we have 2000 young people a day coming through our doors.

We do all sorts of outreach programmes. We work with the Metropolitan Police, special workshops for young people and our dedicated teachers go out to teach other teachers the Pineapple way.

RYG: What do you wear that makes you feel like you're part of the group?

DM: Here at Pineapple we have been making clothes for 30 years. We show you how to layer things, how to put your shorts and leggings on.

When I started Pineapple there was only shiny nylon lycra and knitted nylon. Dancers used to come in and cut and modify school uniform leotards because that was all you could get.

I felt that it wasn't the healthiest material to be wearing so I worked with the company DuPont in 1979 and developed cotton lycra. Pineapple made the very first outer dress with cotton lycra, up until then lycra was used only in underwear.

Again this idea was inspired by the dancers. We took what people were wearing in the studio out into the street and completely revolutionised the way people dress.

RYG: What tips would you give to young people wanting to make changes to their lifestyle, such as their fitness and their diet?

DM: It is very difficult when you are feeling low. There is so much media attention on diets and I think we are being overloaded with information and we are actually now confused.

Try putting something comfortable and baggy on, get to a class or get a dvd and dance around at home. It get's the circulation going, you do feel better and you start wanting a healthy lifestyle.

It's important not to give yourself unrealistic goals. You mustn't think "Right I'm going on a diet, so I'm only going to have lemon juice today or lettuce." No way! You wean yourself off slowly. Don't suddenly think "I am going to a class everyday." No! Just do a little bit at a time.

If you give yourself too much of a goal, you'll feel disappointed when you can't achieve it. So give yourself a break and just start somewhere. Talk to a mate and do it together.

Keep it simple. Don't start calorie counting. The worst thing is too much sugar and too much salt so just start cutting those out. You'll start feeling so much better. I know, I've been there.

RYG: What would your advice be for those wanting to follow in your footsteps?

DM: I was always taught that there is no such thing as a free lunch. You work hard to play hard. Find something you like doing because you'll do it well.

Enjoy life and stay in the day. Be more positive and more determined. When you're in a great mood, anything is possible.