Line Dance: Drop-In or Register for a Class?

Line dance improves your balance, memory, joint mobility and heart health. Still many folks don't think of it as a fitness class. If you are looking for a fun, low impact way to get in shape, line dance is a good place to start. While I understand the allure of attending a line dance class occasionally, vis-à-vis the drop in method, here are two good reasons to commit to a full session of classes upfront.

Reason Number 1: Achieve Long Lasting Fitness Health

As a a certified personal trainer, Group X instructor and Older Adult Specialist I treat my dance classes as an opportunity to build up the fitness level of my students over the 10 week session. We are not just gathering to dance to random songs each week. Instead I carefully curate my dances so that we memorize the common steps as a group. I then build up the intensity gradually, over time, by adding complexity and speed. Eventually we all get to the point where I am no longer having to call the steps to a 96 count dance because we are able to remember the pattern and have mastered the moves. To get to this point, it takes commitment on my part and the part of each student. If we choose to just join a dance class once in a while, our muscles and mind don't reap the full benefit of sustained training over time and often we remain in a place where we are frazzled and at risk for tripping - injuring a knee or hip.

Reason Number 2: I Want My Students To Succeed

Let's face it. It would be easier to just have people drop in with little expectation from me than to offer them a fun time dancing, but that has never been my style. I get joy from watching my students master the individual dance skills and progress to the point where they are confident and now attending my higher level classes and parties. If I only see someone every third class or so, they will actually hold back the progression of the entire group because to keep everyone safe is my number one priority. With a new student in the room, I need to choose my dances carefully so that people don't trip and either hurt themselves or others in the process.

Here are two reviews from students who have been dancing with me for years. I started teaching line dance in 2011.

Wendy Simla: "I’ve been line dancing with Beth for about ten years - what a great decision to join her Beginner’s Line Dance class.  I knew nothing!  Beth’s approach to teaching was perfect - lots of explanation and demonstrating the steps while we followed along and joined in.  I felt success early on and continued to improve, slowly but surely.  Line dancing helps with our memory as well as our aerobic fitness.  There are no cue cards, but Beth ensures we know what to do next by cueing the upcoming steps.  I have moved on to her Intermediate Class, still fun but with some new challenges (I continue to learn).  Bottom line - I love Line Dancing with Beth!"

Lynn Stewart: "I have been line dancing with Beth for many years and I love it. Beth’s choice of music is always terrific. She breaks the dances down into segments so that we can learn a section and then we can add to it. She demonstrates the dances each time, even the ones we already know, so that we can always feel successful. The classes are always fun and I have learned many good dances of different styles. I look forward to Beth’s line dancing classes. They are always a highlight of my week!

I am offering two line dances classes in my Home Studio this Fall. You can register to try a class without commitment here https://www.betholdfield.ca/vankleek-hill-classes

I decided to start offering small group line dance classes in my home because I am so passionate about how it helps people maintain their memory, balance and agility. When you leave my dance class you feel energized and ready to tackle the rest of your day.

I hope you will try a class at the end of September! You have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

See you soon,

Beth