January 24, 2025~Line Dancing #NewToMeAt76

Three classes under my belt, and who knows where this will lead. I have my doubts that I'll be heading to Nashville to strut my stuff anytime soon, but I would at least like to learn to moves to the beat of "Achy Breaky Heart", and "Boot Scootin' Boogie". 

After the first 2 Beginning Line Dancing Classes, honestly, I wasn't sure what I had gotten myself into😗! The concept of line dancing(for me) sounded exciting. How hard could it be, right?  The reality of learning the steps, and gyrating my body to make me look like I knew what I was doing, without a face-plant on the floor........ made me question my sanity! I missed the third class. Before returning to the fourth session, I diligently practiced the foot work at home. Talk about 2 left feet!!!! I was able to remember the steps to ONE DANCE(The Bar Song). I watched a few YOUTUBE videos, and watched the video that my instructor had graciously put on facebook. REPETITION, REPETITION, REPETITION. My 'achy breaky' knees hurt. My 'boot scootin' lower back muscles twinged. 

The instructor, Anela Ferris Lancaster, is FABULOUS. She knows her stuff. And she has been successful in encouraging and instructing everyone in the class. 

So far the 3 hardest parts of learning to line dance for me: 1. KEEPING UP WITH THE BEAT OF THE MUSIC, especially with the faster songs. Yes, it was impossible to step-ball-change, weave and rock step that fast!😂 2. REMEMBERING THE STEPS, especially keeping track of all of the counts, and turns. 3. KEEPING MY BALANCE (I do not want to fall and get hurt!). 4. CONFIDENCE ON THE DANCE FLOOR (a little intimidating in front of others at first). I've turned the wrong way more than once. Thankfully the person behind me didn't give me THE LOOK!  

***I'm assuming my 2025 goals will eventually be accomplished, especially adding a few gyrating moves. Somehow, everyone's hips are swiveling smoothly while mine are either completely locked or going rogue like a washing machine on spin cycle😎. I wonder, if I will come close to doing this?

Admittedly, I am jealous............. of those cute young humanoids  that can move, shake, jump, and twist their bodies ALL AT THE SAME TIME. There are a few of us 'senior citizens' that look at each other and shake our heads. Thus far, though, we are laughing at ourselves😂. I've come to realize in 2 short weeks how important it is to have a rock solid balance stability. And with each week, I AM getting better and better!The third class was the FIRST time that the steps, the sequence, keeping up with the music, and keeping my balance encouraged me to KEEP ON KEEPING ON. 

I have to say that while I am in class, nothing else occupies my thoughts....my worries, my to-do-list, the news, ......nothing. What a stress reliever! Combining infectious energy and rhythms......that's what the dances and songs below do⬇️⬇️⬇️ . They are guaranteed to get you on your feet!  

The first four dances have ALMOST been learned.That "WOBBLE" is something else! OH MY GOODNESS! That may be icing on the cake for me! If/when I feel confident doing this particular dance, I MAY consider the cowboy boots. Thank goodness for my tennis shoes! No doubt, the leather soles let you smoothly glide across a dance floor, but for now stability and comfort are the better options for me.

Just for fun, I asked ChatGPT to create an image of a 76 yr old woman, with brown hair and bangs, wearing cowboy boots, trying to learn line dancing........ HAHAHA I should totally rock this look!

The line-dancing classes are held at the YMCA Tanglewood, Roanoke, VA. For me, as a member of the YMCA, the lessons are free. Each week, my confidence grows. Line dancing has been a new fun form of exercise for me. It gets my heart pumping and my brain working, all while being part of a social activity. 

The 5th class was.........well, let's just say my head was not cooperating with my feet😂😂😂. I was, however, successful at creating a new dance(THE FORGETFUL SHUFFLE). We learned a few new steps, and it threw me "off", which doesn't take much!

Determination is the key. Stay tuned for more line dancing in February!