Dancing Helps Both Mind and Body

There is an interesting article in the latest edition of the American Dancer magazine about the benefits dancing provides to the brain. The article states that recent studies indicate intellectual and physical activities actually develop new brain tissue. These findings contradict past beliefs that brain cells die as we age and cannot be replaced.
What better way to stimulate your mind and improve brain activity than ballroom dancing? What other activity combines physical and mental effort while improving your social skills and interaction with a partner or loved one?
Classes begin on Tuesday, September 15th for Intermediate Ballroom and on Thursday, September 17th for Introduction to Ballroom. Register now to begin improving your mind and body through dancing.

Posted by-Lee Briggs

More Benefits Of Ballroom Dance

 As promised we are continuing to provide feedback from our Intermediate Ballroom students about the benefits of social dancing.  Kermit and Sue Cho Cox had this to say. “In addition to the benefits of having time together as a couple, we have also found ballroom dance to be a great form of exercise, both physical and mental. While the physical exercise is not strenuous, dancing provides noticeable aerobic benefit. Also, learning and, more importantly, remembering dance steps and combinations is great mental exercise.” Here are comments offered by a couple from our Entry Level class, Nicole Santos and Raymond McAllister: “My husband and I attended the ballroom dancing lessons and we HAD A BLAST!!! Lee and Paulette, our fabulous dance instructors, alsways came to class ready to show us how to move on the dance floor. They were both very encouraging and they always kept the instruction simple; we never thought the Waltz, Cha Cha, or Hustle could be so simple. By the end of five weeks we felt confident in our new found dance skills and the CD they provided us with will have us practicing and dancing for months to come.” 

Posted by-  Lee Briggs

What Do You Know About Hip Hop Dance?

If you don’t know anything else, you probably already know that hip hop has the beat that makes you want to get up and dance. But what do you really know about hip hop dance?

Did you know that this energetic dancing evolved with hip hop music and street jazz? It’s true. Today, hip hop has taken its place alongside ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom dancing; to name a few.

The first mention of hip hop dance dates back to the 70’s when some new moves were introduced to the dance world to accompany the funky sounds of hip hop music that was also being discovered. Most popular among African Americans and Latin Americans at first, there are many races who now lay claim to defining this diverse dance phenomenon.

Across the United States from the ‘Boogie Down’ Bronx, New York to the ‘Beat Street’ corners of Compton, California, young people everywhere took to this new style of dancing that included such feats as breaking, popping, locking, gliding, ticking, vibrating and krumping. In the earlier days, some hip hop dance moves such as the Humpty Dance were made popular by hip hop artists who had created the songs from which these dances were derived.

Early on, dance competitions on sidewalks included beat boxing, a form of music-making that included raps and special sound effects made with the hands and mouth. Artists like The Fat Boys rose to fame and fortune with Buffy’s beat boxing talents.

After the outbreak of interest in hip hop dance, there were even several movies highlighting this new form of dancing that combined beats, sounds, and gravity-defying moves. Crush Groove and other movies saw their day in the spotlight as hip hop dance continued to expand to different cultures and races and locations around the globe.

From freestyle forms that were often the spotlight of informal battles both indoors and outdoors to formally trained dancers who began to incorporate hip hop dance as a means of dance and physical exercise, hip hop dance has continued to evolve. Today, hip hop dance has earned a recognized place in dance studios and is practiced as regularly as other styles.

Whether hip hop dance was the brain child of some who were simply looking for another form of expression or the intentional genius of creative souls who were looking to put another dance expression into the mix of music is not clear. What is clear is that hip hop music has survived challenge and change and fought its way into the dance scene around the world.

In 2005, the popular television show “So You Think You Can Dance” presented yet another platform for hip hop dance artists to display their talents while competing for fame and fortune against other recognized dance forms such as ballet, tap, jazz and ballroom.

Read more: http://centralhome.com/hip-hop-dance-history.htm#ixzz0PDy4WgVY

 

Posted by- Crystaline Mabry

 

Ballroom Dance Steps Into The Hearts of Participants

From health to happiness and together time for couples, the benefits of dancing are as numerous and as varied as the dancers themselves. We took a quick survey of some of the couples in the Intermediate Ballroom class on Tuesdays and here are a couple of the comments we received. We will be posting more of these comments from students in the future.

Jeff and Trina Macon have enjoyed learning to dance together and it is now their favorite hobby. “The more we practice the better our dance steps are and we feel we can make a dance look fun to do and learn. We have learned so much about dancing and thank you Lee for making it enjoyable.”

Richard and Rena Wilson had this to say: “Rena and I are often asked about our progress with dance lessons We have been taking from you for over three years and I believe that we have progressed a great deal from where we started. She prompted me for several months before I agreed to attempt to dance. We have thoroughly enjoyed dancing; it is a highly interactive endeavor for a couple. We get the time together, and when we complete dance steps, there is a feeling of accomplishment and teamwork. Dancing gives us another focus that is varied from dinner or watching movies together. You have provided us recorded music to practice our dancing, and your encouragement is always appreciated. Finally, our dancing lessons are a pleasant distraction from our hectice schedules, and we look forward to the lessons weekly. See you Tuesday.

Why not register for either Introduction to Ballroom on Thursday evenings (Carolina Shag and Rumba) or Intermediate Ballroom on Tuesday evenings (Argentine Tango and West Coast Swing). Classes will begin in mid-September and you will soon discover the benefits of ballroom dancing for yourself!

Posted by- Lee Briggs

Ready to move on with Ballroom Dance?

Now that you’ve learned the basic dance movements in our Introduction to Ballroom classes, you may be ready to step up to the Intermediate class that begins 7/28. Intermediate level ballroom offers some variety and versatility to your dancing. The class will meet each Tuesday from 7:30 to 8:30 from 7/28 to 8/25. We’ll have a special 30 minute practice session after the class on 8/25.

This section will cover Continuity Waltz and Hustle.
As you learn continuity in Waltz, your movements will become natural and flowing and enable you to move around the dancefloor gracefully. Hustle is a member of the Swing family of dances which originated in the Disco Era of the 70s and has enjoyed a renewed popularity in recent years. The Hustle of today is fast-paced with fun movements such as the Strut and the Whirlwind.

There will also be a class choice of International Rumba or Mambo and either of those dances will add some spice to your summer.
Join us on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 and bring your partner since these classes often become special “together time” for couples.

Posted by– Lee Briggs

Summer Romance

A new Introductory Ballroom class will begin July 30th and will run through August 27th. Here’s your chance to learn some basic movements in Waltz and Cha Cha. Waltz is considered the first ballroom dance since it originated in Europe in the late 1700’s. This dance has continued to rise in popularity throughout the years and is often danced at weddings. Waltz is danced in 3/4 time with the music sending dancers whirling around the floor.

Cha Cha is an exciting, syncopated Latin dance which originated in the 1950’s as a slower version of Mambo. Cha Cha is a derivation of Mambo because of the Latin music, but it is also related to Swing since it is danced to a 1-2-3 step rhythm.

These dances have a special appeal for couples as they do require a partner. So, join us on July 30th and add some romance to your summer!

Posted by– Lee Briggs

Why Stick to the Same Old Routine?

Enjoy dancing? Whether you dance for exercise, personal enjoyment or you dance professionally, it’s a good bet that we have a dance class for you.  We have many different types of dance classes such as Ballroom, Swing, Middle Eastern Dance, Hip-Hop, and Carolina Shag. Don’t miss out on the joy dance can bring to your life.

Don’t forget we also offer Ballet for all ages at The Columbus Ballet Conservatory at CSU’s Rankin Art Center.

If you are interested in any of our classes and would like more information, call Continuing Education at (706) 507-8070.

You can register for this class online at conted.colstate.edu. Search our courses and look under Art / Dance.