If you can walk—and you know your right from your left—
square dancing is a perfect way to add fun, friends and
exercise to your life.
Here’s a perfect example: It’s a Tuesday night and we’re
helping new square dancers in Glenview review the
intricacies of the Tea Cup Chain … and whoops, THAT
wasn’t right. Gales of laughter from everyone. In a good
way, of course.
As an “angel,” I’ve taught square dance to beginners for
the past 5 years. Not only do the classes guarantee
plenty of laughs, they also introduce you to an activity that
you can enjoy for years, that lead you to new friends and
even new countries.
You may have tried square dance waaaay back in junior
high school, but trust me. Today’s version is entirely
different. Just to review, square dancing is when four
couples carry out calls given by the caller, all in time to
music. There are more than a hundred moves, taught at
three levels. Some are easy: “join hands and circle left,”
while many others are considerably more complex.
Music-
Today’s callers use just about everything: Broadway
tunes, rock, marches, Scottish bagpipes and even the
Mickey Mouse song, plus contemporary country music.
Why Square Dance?
Why square dance? Mainly because it’s fun, both in
learning the moves and in using what you learned. (Think
“Simon Says” for adults.) You’re moving, listening and
responding—ideally, all at the same time. But when you
(inevitably) go one way and everyone else in your square
goes another, what else can you do but laugh?
Square DanciAlmost anyone can learn to square dance, even those of
you with the proverbial “two left feet.” You’re basically
walking in time to the music while forming patterns with
the other dancers. Throw in some swings and twirls, and
you’re golden.ng For Body and Brain
What most people don’t realize are all the benefits of
square dancing. Square dancing is good exercise.
The brisk pace can tone your entire body. Wear a stepcounter
during a dance and you’ll see that you’ve
covered three to five miles of walking in an evening.
Square dancing is a workout for your brain, too. As
you perform the many “cross-
involving both sides of your body—the two sides of your
brain are forced to communicate, strengthening nervecell
pathways and keeping your mind sharp.
If you like to travel, square dancing can help you
make friends all over the world. Since calling is done in
English, language is not a barrier. You can use the web
to contact groups across the United States, not to
mention Australia, China, Europe, Japan, Israel, New
Zealand and more.
Where can I learn?
Beginning square dance lessons start in September and
run through May. Here are four Chicago-
offering lessons.
In Glenview, lessons take place on Tuesday evenings
starting on 9/14, hosted by the Glenview and the Square
Spares Square Dance Clubs. Contact Janice Cha,
Janice.cha@sbcglobal.net.
In Park Ridge, the Happy Twirlers Club offers ongoing
lessons on Monday evenings for people who've square
danced before. Contact Carolyn Lopez,
giacomin@sbcglobal.net.
In Arlington Heights, Tuesday evening lessons launch
in September, sponsored by the Arlington Squares.
Contact Donald Kempiak,
lessons@arlingtonsquares.com.
On the north side of Chicago, the Chi-
offer beginning lessons on Thursday evenings starting
9/9. Contact John Oldfield, john@oldfield.com.
For more clubs, contact the Metro Chicago Square
Dance Association, www.squaredancechicago.com.
END
Square Dancing: ‘Do Si Do’ Your Way To Health
JULY 2010 | BY JANICE CHA