Relighting The Spark

You have raised your children, are getting close to retiring (or are already retired), and it happens. You look across the breakfast table at your partner and think, “We haven’t done anything together in ages. It’s time we get to know one another again. To fall in love again, to rekindle the fire”.

The problem is finding something that you can both do together at the same time that invites romance. There are many things that couples can do together, but finding something that is both active and romantic is getting more and more difficult.

There was a time, not so long ago, when couples went dancing EVERY week. There was always a place you could go, where couples would whirl around the dance floor, creating an enchanting, lively scene. Dances like that are more difficult to find, but they are in fact out there, some of them right here in town.

 Now imagine yourself taking your partner onto the floor and being able to move with confidence and poise. Picture how great it would feel to sway with the music, you and your partner in tune with one another. When you learn to dance in an environment that is fun, exciting and makes it easy, you become involved in an activity that exercises your body as well as your mind in a way that few other hobbies allow. Dancing with each other, you will find that you also learn to co-operate and encourage one another. Spending time together; and bonding with your partner while engaging in a new and entertaining pastime.

There are benefits for both gentlemen and ladies in dancing.

For him, it’s the ability to take your partner onto the dance floor, and have her thrilled to be there; while most men are not motivated by the promise of feeling “light and free and floating”, if a lady wants to feel that way, and you have that ability to give her what she wants, she will be happy. If you don’t have a clue as to how to move your hips like a Cuban, that’s still quite ok. But, if you can get a woman to move her hips, and put a genuine smile on her face while doing it, why wouldn’t you?

For her if it could be summed up in one sentence; because it makes her feel beautiful. Despite what you might think from watching movies and television, dancing is not about just looking like a fairy-tale princess or movie star. It’s about feeling like one. The promise of a gentlemen making you feel like the most beautiful lady on the dance floor is one of the most magical aspects of couples dancing. No amount of makeup, botox, spandex, hairspray or airbrushing can make a lady’s eyes light up from the inside, or put a genuine smile on her lips like moving with a partner while he twirls and sways with you to the music.

Many couples that begin dancing make it a weekly “date night”, and some have been dancing together for many years. All of these couples are in long term marriages, with some having over thirty years together.

Frank and Marian O’Connor have been attending their weekly dance lessons for over 13 years. When they were asked by a group of young people how they managed to stay married for so long, when so many marriages are ending, Frank simply responded “I take my wife dancing every week”. As expected, the youths responded with many “awwwww”’s, and “that’s so sweet”. The couple just looked at each other, and smiled knowingly.

Never danced before? Don’t worry. Once you get the first steps of a dance under your belt, the rest is like learning to walk – one step at a time.

Soon you’ll find yourselves caught up in a whirlwind of romance, sharing, working together, and gliding across the floor. If you are looking to reconnect with your spouse, dancing together may just be the ticket.

For Ballroom, Latin and fitness classes in town, as well as monthly dances, please visit AIM Dance’s website at brantforddancelessons.com, or call 519.720.0379

WHY ARE SOME ZUMBA CLASSES CHEAPER THAN OTHERS?

Have you ever wondered why there can be such a difference in the fees charged for what seems to be the same class? What you'll find is that Zumba classes are not all the same. There are some fundamental health and safety issues that contribute to the fees. Here are some of the questions you should ask before joining a class.

1) What is the floor like?

Doctors are reporting more and more injuries from Zumba classes. When attempting any kind of physical activity on a hard tile, brick or cement floor, it can cause serious and permanent injuries to your feet, knees, hips, and back  from the constant jarring effect of landing on an immovable surface. The chance of injuries are greatly reduced when there is a "floating floor" and reduced even further with a "sprung floor". AIM has 3 different rooms, all with dance floors installed.

2) Are the instructors upgrading their skills?

Training and experience are an essential part of an instructor's routine. When your Zumba teacher comes from a dance background, you can be assured that you are doing technique that reduces the chance of injury, and increases the fun of the class.


3) What is the average class  size?

When the classes are kept small, you will have more room to move, offering you a better workout. You should not been constricted by space when doing a Zumba class.


4) Is there Air conditioning and/or dehumidifiers?

Keeping the air cool and the humidity levels low allows you to breathe easier during a class. This allows a more efficient exchange of oxygen, which in turns allows you to work your muscles more effectively, without the breathing problems that can occur during extreme heat..


5) Can you see the instructor? Can you see yourself?

Most dance studios have mirrors, so that you can see your instructor from many areas of the dance floor. This also means that you can see yourself. While this can be intimidating at first, you'll find that it's easier to make sure you're doing the steps properly when you can see how you're moving.


6) Is there free water available?

Keeping your body hydrated is a fundamental aspect of ANY fitness regimen. Fluids must be replaced in order to keep yourself cool and functioning at an efficient level. There are always water coolers making water available for free, all the time.


7) Is there parking available?

Parking on the street, or in a "bad" area of town is always risky. Make sure the parking lot is lit, and has a direct pathway to the facility.


8) What is the sound system like?


Most portable sound systems are designed with two speakers. What that means is that you are either blasted with sound because you are standing right beside the speaker, or have a hard time hearing because you are too far away from the speaker. At AIM, the speakers are placed in each corner of the room , allowing all participants to hear the music, yet not be blasted into the next room.



9) How long has the class been offered at the facility?


If you're going to begin a fitness program, one of the primary factors is being able to continue it for a period of time. AIM has been at the same location since 2000, and has been offering Zumba classes since 2008. This gives you the benefits of knowing that we will be here tomorrow, and that the instructors are some of the most experienced around.


10) Is there a sense of community and friendship at the facility?

It's much easier to reach your fitness goals when fitness is fun and friendly. In a class of 60 or more people, it's difficult to make new friends, and the instructor cannot be in tune to that many students' needs. Our students are the friendliest, & most encouraging that you'll find anywhere!

These are the top ten reasons why some Zumba class fees are higher than others. All of these reasons contribute to your enjoying your classes more, and getting a great workout at the same time.

TEACHING ON THE DANCE FLOOR

We've all seen it. We may have even been through it ourselves. There you are on the dance floor, moving gracefully across the floor, you and your partner enjoying every minute of the music and atmosphere. And then, there it is.

A couple, who are at the beginning of their dance journey trying a step that you have mastered years ago. What is the right course of action? Do you stop and offer them help, so as to speed their journey along? Or would you just keep dancing?

If help is offered, you run the risk of explaining the step in a way which they wouldn't understand, and it could possibly make the situation worse. There is also the risk of offending their sense of their ability (i.e. making them feel like lousy dancers). I think we can agree, none of these scenarios create the desired outcome.



There may be a way to solve it.



Try this. As you dance by a, start by giving them encouragement by saying "I remember learning that step - it's a tough one", or "I had trouble with that step when I learned it". Say something that lets them know they are not alone in their struggle, and that may also invite them to say "How do I do this step?".


Always encourage them to ask an instructor first, and then if they still ask, briefly explain the step.

There is no hard and simple solution to this problem, and every situation is different. Please take this little lesson on etiquette with you the next time you're on the floor.

TWINKLES & GRAPEVINES!

brantforddancelessons.com

DANCING TOGETHER

This weekend, my wife and I went dancing two night in a row; it seems odd to say that, considering that we dance every day for 5-6 hours, but we rarely get the chance dance with each other anymore.

I was reminded of how great dancing can be, when you are in tune with your partner, and things just go really well, and the most important thing - how happy it makes her.

If you have the chance - dance! You will both feel better......

FOOT POSITIONS

There are many ways to describe foot positioning. Some methods involve describing the angle or position of a single foot, while others describe the positions or angles of the feet relative to each other. This will give you a basic understanding of the most common methods for describing the various positions of the feet.

The basic method is to refer to one of five basic foot positions:

1ST - Feet are together, directly under the body

2ND - Feet apart, side by side

3RD - Feet together, heel to instep

4TH - Feet apart one in front of the other

5TH - Feet together, one foot in front of the other, toe to heel

Turning Out is when the feet turn outward to an angle, so that the toes point away from each other. The angle that results between the feet is known as the degree of turnout. When the feet are held without any turnout, they are referred to as parallel.

Turnout in the Latin and Rhythm dances is recommended. The desirable amount of turnout is between a minimum of45 and and maximum of 90 degrees. Ballet dancers strive to achieve turnout through the rotation of the legs so that the knees always point to the same angle as the toes. Latin dancers, on the other hand, will allow the feet to turn out at the ankles; the knees, when bent, point straight forward (or even roll slightly inward) in spite of the turned-out angle of the feet.

The rolling of the foot toward the inside or outside edge is known as pronation and supination, respectively. It is very important to become aware of these positions, even if you don't remember their names.

The pronated position (weight on the inside edge) is used quite frequently in the Latin and Rhythm dancing. When the body weight is held over the outside edge, the foot has rolled out into a supinated position A supinated position is undesirable, and should be avoided at all times.

You'll also find that supination of the foot tends to promote a "turning in" of the feet, rather than the desired "turning out".

Enjoy!

Twinkles & Grapevines!

http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com

Waltz Exercise

Stand with your feet together, toes pointing forward, and knees slightly bent.. Picture yourself in front of a clothesline. Rise and fall is the ability to go underneath it without ducking or bending at the waist. stepping forward with your left foot, bend your knees to clear the clothesline; but you've got to keep your back and neck straight!. You are now beyond the clothesline, so you can straighten your knees and step with your right foot to the side and draw your feet together on “3.” Do this several times, in order to get the feel of it.

HEEL, BOY, HEEL!

The general rule is, in Ballroom, Standard or Smooth (whichever you call it), forward moving steps for either Ladies or Gentlemen should be heel leads.

But how to do a large step on the heel lead without my heels sliding out from under me? Easy! Keep your body weight over top of your foot, rather than behind it. The best way to do this is to have a slight bend in the knee that is traveling forward, and push off with the foot that is behind.

The Gentlemen's steps for example, would see the man having both knees slightly bent, the left foot moving forward, and the right right leg pushing the body into the step. If you keep your left knee slightly bent, you will land with the heel underneath your body, and no sliding. Same for ladies!

To learn more in person, visit http://artinmotion.fp.execulink.com