Active / Line Dancing
UPFRONT PLACES | PERSPECTIVES | HAPPENINGS
Western Rhythm
INSTRUCTOR MARY SCHMIDT DISCUSSES WHY LINE DANCING IS NOT ONLY FUN , BUT ALSO PROVIDES A GREAT WORKOUT FOR ALL FITNESS LEVELS .
By JESSIE DAX-SETKUS
S kip the classic workout gear and throw on some cowboy boots instead as you try out a popular style of dance that doesn ’ t require much experience . The city ’ s line dancing classes are offered Tuesdays at the Laguna Beach Community & Susi Q Senior Center , serving as a great way to get in some much-needed steps — plus , according to instructor Mary Schmidt , line dancing is a great workout that can rival a gym session .
Schmidt has been leading the lessons for about five years and has also taught quick sessions at Laguna ’ s Hospitality Night . Visit lagunabeachcity . net to sign up for her beginner class and learn a new style of choreography while working on your wellness .
LAGUNA BEACH MAGAZINE : What is your background with line dancing ? MARY SCHMIDT : I ’ ve been line dancing since it got really popular in the ’ 80s . The Marine Room [ Tavern ] used to host line dancing in the back room with a live band . I ’ ve been line dancing ever since — going to the Swallow ’ s Inn in San Juan Capistrano and going to The Ranch [ Restaurant & Saloon ] in Anaheim . I ’ ll spontaneously lead the electric slide and get the crowd dancing with me .
LBM : What are the health benefits of dancing ? MS : Dancing boosts your cardiovascular health ; dancing also
builds your core strength . It promotes flexibility , good posture and reduces back pain , [ and ] it improves your mobility . Dancing is a [ low-impact and ] fun way to promote weight loss . We usually average about 3,000 steps per class . And it ’ s easy . Dancing is a form of weight-bearing activity . It can help maintain your bone density . … [ Plus ,] there ’ s a lot of memory involved when you are learning new dances and doing a lot of cross-brain , mind-to-muscle movement . Dancing can help decrease anxiety and stress , increase self-esteem and improve your … [ overall ] well-being . It can also help everyone feel more socially connected .
LBM : What can you expect from a class ? MS : Having an hour of so
Mary Schmidt ( left ) leads a beginning line dance class in Laguna .
much fun . I make sure that … [ my students ] stay relaxed and congratulate them on learning steps , sequences and terminology . They will leave the session feeling rejuvenated and have a sense of accomplishment .
LBM : What kind of music do you incorporate ? MS : Whatever song I ’ m going to present , it has to be the right beat or tempo for that particular dance , but I reach out to all country-western genres . As I ’ ve told the class , I don ’ t call my class country line dancing ; it ’ s beginner line dancing , because you can do the electric slide to The Beatles [ or ] to The Rolling Stones . … It ’ s a dance that can adapt to any music genre . But I think it ’ s just really fun to do it to country music and that ’ s how I present it .
LBM : What do you think makes your class fun ? MS : Well , if you ask any of my students or any of my friends , fun is my middle name . And dancing is fun . The music is fun and there ’ s a lot of laughter during class . … And I welcome questions so no one ever gets left behind .
LBM : What equipment should you bring to class ? MS : I always suggest that the soles of your shoes are leather or have a smooth surface so you can glide and slide a little bit on the dance floor . … If you wear fitness sneakers , you won ’ t be able to really move . … Some other things to bring to class are … [ a ] willingness to learn — don ’ t take yourself seriously , relax and , before you know it , you ’ ll be dancing with the best of them .
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