Line Dancing: Senior Fitness

Dance has been a form of communication and of self expression since the beginning of time, so you are not alone if the sound of music makes you tap your toes and want to sing.  People enjoy dancing not only as an art form but as a source of exercise.  Dance is a good way to not only feel good physically but to be stimulated mentally, not to mention a good way to meet people.  Line dancing is a healthy social outlet and numerous opportunities exist for recreation dancing.  Line dancing has been popular for along time and incorporates many musical styles.  Part of the appeal is that is easier than many of the other fad dances and something that whole families can participate in.

 

The best part of line dancing is that you don’t have to bring a partner in order to participate.  No fears of being a wall flower and no reason to feel left out because you are dateless.  When you hear the music you just get in line and let the music move you.  It doesn’t matter what your age or ability level is, everybody dances with everybody.  Line dancing is performed with a group of people moving together (most of the time in a straight line and facing the same direction).

 

All Christy Lane, author of the popular “Complete Book of Line Dancing,” asks you to do is think positively, start at the beginning, go in the right direction, stand tall and have fun.  Okay, some people seem to be born dancers but you can’t let them intimidate you.  With line dancing it is more a matter of practice than raw talent.  The key to any kind of dancing is to practice, practice and practice some more.  Line dancing is easy to learn so lighten up and give yourself a chance.

 

Sure you may swing the wrong way and bump into your neighbor from time to time but that is okay.  The easiest way to ease those fears is to know which direction to go.  Line dancing is usually done in the middle of a dance floor in an imaginary rectangular space with everyone facing the same direction.    Line dancing participants will start on the same foot and move in the same direction.  So, there is nothing to worry about.  When everyone goes right, you go right.

 

Stand tall.  Proper posture means you can use your muscles more efficiently.  The standard posture for guys in line dancing is thumbs in the pockets, and for the ladies it is a relaxed fist at the waist or at hip level.  It is also okay to have relaxed arms at your sides.  Line dancing can be a great stress reducer and the benefits are huge.  To begin with, your mind is going to have to be on memorizing your steps.  Then, when you get let yourself relax and flow with the music you will find it a delightful emotional release.  It is also great exercise, just like low-impact aerobics.  Health clubs and senior centers across the countries are teaching line dancing as an exercise form.  Line dancing is a great way to blend exercise with recreation.  You will find that you can raise your heart rate up to 60-70% of its maximum.  All you have to do to increase your aerobic benefit is to gradually increase the amount of time you dance continuously.  Start with one song and gradually add more tunes until you can dance for 15-60 minutes nonstop a couple of times a week.  I am a little intimidated because my sense of rhythm is such that even an aerobic step class frightens me.  So, my plan would be to get a video and study the foot maps taught.  Once you learn how to read the foot maps and try out a few of the basic routines at home, you will be ready to join your friends.