Dr. George L. Dixon - "Talking Fitness"

How delighted I am to watch and listen as the Big Band sounds and "Swing" dancing returns. How many times did Margery and I close up the Blue Moon Ballroom!

We did sweat, or rather I sweat, Margery of course glowed. But what a great aerobic workout we had, long before we knew that was what we were doing. Turns out it was also good for strength, flexibility and grace. To say nothing for its social attributes. It still has all these blessings to offer YOU.

Let me tell you that any kind of dancing, swing, line, western, ballroom, ballet, tap, etc., is splendid joyful exercise. Even close slow dancing can raise your pulse rate. Actually for many enthusiastic forms you don’t even need a partner. Take line dancing (which Dr. and Mrs. Moneymaker teach all over New Mexico) for example, with those dazzling names such as "Boot Scoot", Electric Slide", "Tush Push", ya’ just got to get up and join in. I think the Midnight Cowboy Dancehall has a time for free lessons, call them up. Remember the Chicken, the Monkey, the Charleston (oops), those hardly needed a partner. The Virginia Reel, and Square Dancing beckons all comers. The Bunny Hop and Conga lines are aerobic parades. Then remember the beautiful ballroom costumes and Tangos and waltzing and…oh my.

Don’t quite remember how? Never did? Lessons are often free or inexpensive at most of the Senior Centers. Look in the Yellow pages under dance instruction. YMCA is a great source of dance programs as well as the name of a lively dance.

Swing is back and very popular, it is time to dance!

Have a ball.

More help is available in "Exercise a la Carte", here, at your bookstore or call 800-624-4952.