Page 50 - Senior Link Magazine Summer 2017- Online Magazine

Line Dancing for life

Someone said, “You don’t stop dancing because you performed at various venues in the community.
grow old, you grow old because you stop dancing.” “Line dancing is very good for your mind and has been
While that may or may not be true, the ladies reported to help prevent Alzheimer’s or dementia. I have been
featured in this article seem as young at heart as teaching line dancing at UMC Activities Center for 13 years and
they are light on their feet. love it.”

Like many who retire or whose families no longer need Carolyn Beauchamp
constant attention, they were all searching for “I had moved to Lubbock and was looking for an
something to do. The UMC Activities Center exercise class to stay healthy. I saw that the UMC AC
provided them with that something. The offered many activities. I love to dance, so I signed up
UMC AC provides classes like Yoga, T’ai Chi for Line Dancing. The many instructional classes are
and many others. And it hosts the High Class leveled. Line Dance Vocabulary is where the basics
Ladies Line Dance team, one of two teams are taught. From there, you can take the next class
who perform for retirement homes and other in the progression. I have found that Line Dancing
locations in the Lubbock community. High is a fun way to keep your body and your brain in
Class Ladies began in 2005 and 12 years later shape. It is aerobic and so much more fun than
they are obviously still enjoying themselves. running on a treadmill, and it beats walking outside
Here are a few of their stories: in the weather! We dance in a large room with fans
and air conditioning. Learning dance steps challenges
Lou Ann Smith the brain, and moving to music makes this aerobic
“In 2002 I found myself wondering, ‘What exercise fun. I can tell that my legs are stronger and
am I going to do now?’ The Sunday paper I I have more stamina. A Line Dancing bonus? The
was reading featured an article about a group friendships that I’ve formed with the wonderful ladies
of line dancers. It went on to tell about the in the class. That’s priceless!”
UMC Activities Center. These ladies talked
about how much they enjoyed performing line Nell Hays
dances at nursing homes and various other “What can I say about Line Dancing except that
places. it is fun, fun, fun!? Over 13 years ago I started Line
“It sounded like something I would really Dancing at the UMC AC. Now they have Line Dance
enjoy - a good way to exercise and make classes for all levels, Vocabulary (Introductory)
friends at the same time. As soon as I attended through Advanced. Even if a person isn’t interested
my first class, I was hooked - such friendly ladies, all in Line Dancing they should know about the UMC Activities
having a wonderful time dancing together. Before long Center. At an affordable rate a person can take as many classes
I was dancing with a team of women who voluntarily – Yoga, Mobility & Balance, Pilates, etc – as they want. Not only
will one exercise physically and mentally, but he/she will also

50 Lubbock Senior Link