The Temptations make you dance
Line up, step up, turn it up and let’s start dancing…
…with The Temptations.
You got a smile so bright
You know you could have been a candle
I’m holding you so tight
You know you could have been a handle
The way you swept me off my feet
You know you could’ve been a broom
The way you smell so sweet
You know you could’ve been some perfume
Well you could’ve been anything that you wanted to
And I can tell
The way you do the things you do, ah baby, the way you do the thing you do, the way you do the things you do….
Achy Breaky Heart, Sweet Home Alabama: the music makes you want to move. The dance steps are easy – grapevines, step touch, mambo, and shuffles. Then twist and repeat. Each dance consists of a number of walls.
The Steps
The wall is the direction the dancers face at any given time. With one-wall dances all dancers face the same direction in a line. In a two-wall dance, everyone faces forward and then repeats the step combination after turning 180 degrees. The samba is an example of this style dance. The four-wall dance, similar to the hustle, has the dancer make a quarter turn after each sequence. The choreography is easy once you learn a few basic steps. The music is great, turn it up…
Forward, back, turn, repeat
Big wheels keep on turning
Carry me home to see my kin
Singing songs about the south-land
I miss ‘ole’ ‘bamy once again
And I think it’s a sin, yes
Well I heard Mister Young sing about her
Well I heard old Neil put her down
Well, I hope Neil Young will remember
A southern man don’t need him around anyhow
Sweet home Alabama
Where the skies are so blue
Sweet home Alabama
Lord, I’m coming home to you
Kari Richie keeps us dancing to the beat
The Dancer
Kari Richie, our Wellness Center Director, leads two classes each week for our residents. As a six year old, she began her dance career. Hip Hop, Jazz and Pom were her favorites. Competitive in high school and then as a JV Dance Team Coach in college, she knows how to lead an exciting workout while letting the music make you move. The speed and intricacy of the choreography make line dancing a class where beginners can feel comfortable and then continue to advance as each member finds their rhythm.
The Benefits
Line Dancing has proven to be a perfect exercise for those that need to work on their coordination and balance. The quick movements are good for increasing brain memory and heart health. With any weight-bearing exercise your bones get a good work out and help increase your bone density.
Doctors and therapists are now finding that patients with early signs of Parkinson’s disease greatly benefit from exercise with patterned movements such as line dancing. The repetition of the steps helps improve speed, balance and movement in everyday tasks.
So put on your dancing shoes; the 1950’s Madison, the 1960’s San Francisco Stomp or even the early 1800’s European polka and waltz, can all be found in the origins of line dancing. You’ve done the steps in your youth! What better way to spend your Monday mornings or Thursday afternoons than with Kari and a room filled with pop music and friends? Join us for a class in the Great Room or at The Wellness Center. Your bones, your muscles and your attitude will all be glad you came to class.
Grapevine, Shuffle, Step Touch and Mambo…Repeat
As pretty as you are
You know, you could’ve been a flower
If good looks can cause a minute
You know that you could be an hour
The way you stole my heart
You know, you could’ve been a cool crook
And baby, you’re so smart
You know, you could’ve been a schoolbook
Well, you could’ve been anything
That you wanted to and I can tell
The way you do the things you do
