You know, I never really was much of a dancer when I was a kid. I was shy and kind of gawky. So when Shirley Johnson stopped by one evening in 1993 to invite Martha and I out to try a free session of square dancing for people who had never tried it before, I wasn’t exactly chomping at the bit. But we were fairly new to town, so we thought it would be a good way to meet people outside of my work environment and Martha’s home environment.
We had a blast! And we were right about meeting people. We now have friends all over three states and Canada that we met while square dancing.
As a doctor I can tell you that square and folk dancing is excellent low impact aerobic exercise that stimulates the mind as well as the body. But what is most important is that it is just plain FUN! Also, in our computer enhanced, virtual entertainment world of today this form of dancing allows people to actually touch each other, and many books have been written on the importance of touch to human development and good health.
Our experience as newbies going through the process of learning to square dance was that each “lesson night” was really a dance night during which you learned a few new words/moves and reviewed the ones you already knew. It was all geared to the level of understanding that us new people had, and just pushed us a little bit each time into new territory until, one day, we new all the moves that we’d ever need to know. All the while we were laughing and having a good time, just like we still do at our twice monthly square dances.
To those who don’t yet dance it can look complicated and intimidating, but it is much simpler than it appears. The steps are not complicated. A strong sense of rhythm or sensuous coordination are not necessary. And what you are really learning is a descriptive language. For example, “Allemande left your corner,” means, “Face the person next to you who is not your partner, stick out your left arm and gently hold each other’s forearms. Now walk around each other until you are back to where you started walking, let go and step ahead to your partner.” Do that a dozen times and it becomes almost automatic. Do it a hundred times and you can hold a conversation while doing it. And what happens if you blow it? Nothing! Everybody else figures it was them, we have a chuckle, and we go on from there.
Another interesting aspect of modern square dancing is the music. While we do enjoy a lively hoedown on a regular basis. We dance to a truly eclectic mix of music. Old Frank Sinatra tunes and other standards; 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s pop tunes; new country and old country; and let’s not forget, “Funky Cowboy” for the disco generation; as well as new and old show tunes and even music from around the world.
It’s like the old commercial used to say, “Try it, you’ll like it!” Contact us at fun@drnels.com or call us at (360) 436-2167 for information about how you can join in on the fun! New dancer programs traditionally start in the fall, but if enough people want to try something else we can be flexible too.
The long-term effects of being a couch potato are well known:
Sore thumb from clicking the remote
Bland personality.
Glazed, hollow stare.
Drooling, belching and farting.
Also, difficulty getting off the couch due to a commonly associated condition
known in medical lingo as, “Rumpus Enormicus.”
Many couch potatoes are dismayed at what they have become. Some try to go it alone to beat this tenacious condition, usually failing miserably as they fall back on the couch and into the chip dip. But now there is help and new hope!
For a limited time only... a limited number of applicants will be screened for eligibility in an exciting new project to be conducted locally in Darrington, WA. This study will determine if a combination of physical activity, mental stimulation, and social interaction in an atmosphere of fun, friendship, and frolic can reverse the long-term effects of being a couch potato. Preliminary studies have shown promising results, and a frequent breaking of this messy habit.
Non-couch potatoes are invited to participate in a sister study to determine if they can interact with couch potatoes in this same, carefully structured environment without risk of contracting this dangerous condition.
You are assured of complete confidentiality! No other study members will know whether you are a couch potato, or one of the non-couch potatoes.
For more information, or to apply, contact us at fun@drnels.com, or call 436-1663. Because it is free, group size is limited. Contact us today!
LEGAL: Activities to consist of a mix of folk dancing to lively music in circles, squares and lines, as well as rounds, reels and contras where appropriate. In deference to our study participants, we will not be doing the mashed-potato. Absolutely no experience with this form of dancing, or any form of dancing for that matter is needed. Can you walk and do you have a pulse? Yes! Then you can do this! Supplies limited to stock on hand. Batteries not included. Limit one to a customer. Call your mother.
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