Mary Klootwyk
Square dancing is low-impact but still a great aerobic exercise. Mayo Clinic encourages square dancing: it burns a lot of calories, strengthens bones, and helps the cardiovascular system.
A study comparing this type of dancing with walking and stretching suggests that the demands that dancing places on the mind and body make it especially powerful at slowing some of the mental changes of aging, an effect not seen in those who walked or stretched.
Square dancing involves constant movement, along with quick directional changes that work together to keep the body in shape and in balance. It is also excellent mental exercise, as the dancer recalls and executes the caller’s instructions, moving from one formation to another as they are “called.” But you don’t do it all by yourself. The teamwork of learning together to good music makes it an enjoyable social activity.
Today’s Modern Western Square Dancing is characterized by dancers forming “squares” of four couples who dance specific movements cued by a caller. Square dancing requires lessons to learn the set of steps.
Some reasons to learn square dancing:
• So much fun that you will be laughing within minutes and want to keep on dancing.
• Great physical exercise involving almost constant movement without being overly tiring as you step in time with the music, forming moving patterns with the other dancers in your square. You can walk several miles in an evening without even realizing it.
• Good mental exercise: learning each step, reacting to what the caller says, and participating in the endless shapes that result. The challenge is in not knowing what comes next. The next step is “called” out to you.
• Easy to learn, providing a great sense of accomplishment and teamwork, as each step builds on the previous ones.
• Danced to enjoyable music including oldies, current favorites, gospel, rock, and country and western.
• A stress reducer. If you make a mistake, half the fun is figuring out how to get where you need to go. We laugh as we learn, and we are patient and welcoming with newcomers. Unlike other forms of dance, you don’t have the stress of trying to lead or trying to follow—the caller does all the work for you.
• A great way to meet people and make new friends. It is more social than other dances, since you dance in a square with three other couples.
• An activity that can be done by anyone in reasonable shape. You do not have to be graceful or coordinated to square dance. You don’t have to worry about stepping on your partner’s toes, as you are usually dancing side-by-side. No fancy footwork is required.
• Informal. We dance in everyday clothes—no crinolines or cowboy boots required.
• Flexible. Contrary to our name, we do not twirl much. You will not get dizzy.
Lessons begin Oct. 9 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the MountainView ballroom. Visit saddlebrookesquares.com for more information.