Square Dancing: Friendship Set to Music
Square Dancing: Friendship Set to Music
By Darla Isackson
I have a warm place in my heart for square dancing, partly because I found my husband at a singles’ square dance club! We were both single again in mid-life—and we both resisted friends’ suggestions that we join a square dance club. But when we visited, we found a warm welcome. It was a safe, fun place to socialize and laugh at a time when laughter had been in short supply. And soon, we noticed each other! After we married, we joined a couples’ club and continued dancing. We looked forward every week to a “square dance date” where we could forget about the cares of the world and have fun together.
Square dancing is, in my opinion, highly underrated in our society. But only by those who haven’t experienced it! Many people only remember a 7th grade experience when a caller came and tried to teach one easy dance to reluctant kids. That’s a far cry from the classes my husband and I attended. Every week for a solid year, we learned new and sometimes intricate steps. There are different levels of square dancing, and once you learn the basics, you can continue and take more advanced classes.
Most people don’t square dance to see how much they can advance. They do it for fun, for exercise, and for a chance to socialize with nice people. Exercise is as beneficial for your brain as it is for your body. The exercise provided by square dancing is especially beneficial to seniors. Square dancing provides cardiovascular conditioning. It slows the heart rate, lowers blood pressure, and leads to a better cholesterol profile. It strengthens bones, prevents bone loss, and exercises the brain as dancers listen, focus, and respond to the caller’s directions.
People who stay active and involved, learn new things, challenge themselves, and exercise two to three times a week can greatly decrease the risk of dementia. All these benefits can be enjoyed by square dancers. No one is too old to experience the fun of learning to square dance. It is not uncommon for people well into their 80s to still be dancing!
Square dancing is a great equalizer. People of all professions, ages, and walks of life have fun dancing together. It offers entertainment and relaxation in a friendly, family atmosphere. If someone makes a mistake, everyone just laughs and helps the person get back on track.
I recently spoke to square dance caller, Mark Livingston. He calls three times a week for clubs that welcome all ages of dancers, married or single. You don’t have to bring a partner in order to participate, and even children can learn. He says that anyone who can walk can learn to square dance! Two of his clubs meet in the afternoons, often a better time for seniors who don’t enjoy being out at night. If interested, act quickly. Classes start as early as September 19th. Mark recommends that you attend from the beginning of the class year. In most clubs, the first three classes are free. See the accompanying table for more information, and then get those feet moving!