These happy Level 1 dancers (mostly from SaddleBrooke) visit the Hacienda Clubhouse at SaddleBrooke Ranch on an October Monday. A few times this fall, banquet conflicts have allowed Line Dance lessons with Rebecca to take road trips up to our welcoming neighbors at the Ranch. Thanks to the Ranch management for making our dance weeks complete.
Dr. Mark Magdanz
It’s time to reserve space for January 2017; almost all dance space in SaddleBrooke is currently reserved – so act now. Limits are placed on student numbers for safety. The winter series is planned for 10 classes in each level of difficulty. Starting the week of January 16, classes will resume. Sessions begin promptly at or before the appointed hour, last 90 plus minutes and never end early.
Health and fitness wise: Line Dance is mild to moderate Interval Training which has gotten tremendous attention lately. Interval workouts are far more time efficient in performing cardio exercise and definitely more effective than steady rate exercise. So, what exactly is interval training? In a nutshell, it’s alternating periods of higher intensity workout with periods of lower intensity recovery. For example, after warming up for four minutes with moderate paced dancing, you go to a faster dance for three to four minutes and then slow your pace for a few minutes. Repeat this for several songs and you’ve completed a fairly complete interval workout with added balance control for a nice physical improvement. The key to any training is to continue the workouts over weeks, months and on to years. There are many plausible arguments for why one type of exercise is superior to another, but the only way to benefit from any one of them is to participate. Just showing up is probably 70 to 80% of success. Line Dancing happens to be great for both the body and soul.
There are three different levels of dance with Rebecca as well as three-part paced fun hours of practice each week. In addition to basic step knowledge, Level 1 slowly builds aerobic, balance and foot speed capabilities. Feedback on this level is very good from novices, but it also gets raves from those having trouble keeping the pace of the faster levels. So if life is slowing down, this may be a way to do it gracefully.
Level 2 and 3 are for more experienced and fit dancers. Step directly into two only if you know the basics and many step definitions. As well you should possess good fitness. You’ll get a workout and have some fun, but will need to verify your status with Rebecca before entry here.
All line dance is a challenge to your memory, strength, endurance and balance. Gradual improvement occurs with loads of fun. Note that improved balance, foot speed and strength help prevent injuries from falling (one of our greatest risks as seniors). Dancing with Rebecca is first and foremost enjoying learning, exercise and not taking inevitable life changes too seriously. Most sessions include about 5000 of your recommended daily fitness steps (10K is the current goal).
Rebecca, a 12 year SaddleBrooke resident, has been leading SaddleBrookers line dancing since 2007. For cost, times and other information on Line Dancing Lessons with Rebecca in SaddleBrooke or SaddleBrooke Ranch for 2017 contact Rebecca Magdanz at [email protected] or phone 818-2656.