After hearing from a Nurse friend of mine for TWO YEARS how much fun she and her teenaged daughter were having square dancing with the Bootjack Stompers, I finally went to a class. Unfortunately, my friend had just moved to Merced so I went that first night all by myself! But, I didn't need to worry. I was made very welcome and then the music Line Dance started up. I was told to "stand in the middle". Yikes! I want the BACK OF THE ROOM. Well, it turns out, that in Line Dancing, you change directions a lot. If I was in the middle of the room, I would always have someone who knew what they were doing in front of me. Was I a little clumsy, awkward and clueless? Absolutely! But I had plenty of company. I was sure I would NEVER get as good as those 'Stompers folks'. I seemed to be unable to balance more than a split second on one leg and couldn't remember which was my left leg. Sure enough, with patient teaching, by the end of that first 1/2 hour, most of us "got it" and others "almost got it". Later that night, I watched the more advanced line dancers dance. They were amazing!
After the line dancing, I stayed for the beginning Square Dancing. This part had me very nervous. I didn't have a partner (more on my reluctant husband another time), I didn't have a clue about square dancing beyond "Do Si Doh". Sure enough, a Bootjack Stomper member took me under their wing, listened to my nervous babble and assured me everything would be OK. The Stompers ensures all new dancers have a partner ("Angels" help new dancers learn). I sure wish I could remember who my first "Angel" was, because he deserves a gold medal. I'm sure I stepped on his toes more than once, crashed into him a time or two and the caller had to tell me often "Your other left". Before I knew it, I had learned the first basic calls and had danced for an hour. And, I hadn't laughed that hard in a long while. I knew I wanted to come back and learn more.
Another outstanding memory of Day One: Square Dancing and Line Dancing is Great Exercise! I was pretty tired! My whole body had definitely had a workout. However, we can easily show anyone how to adapt the either type of dancing to accommodate sore joints or legs/arms. Square Dancing wins hands down for the most overall body exercise and scores extra points for the type of activity that helps keep bones strong and the mind sharp. Oh, and don't forget the laughing!
After the line dancing, I stayed for the beginning Square Dancing. This part had me very nervous. I didn't have a partner (more on my reluctant husband another time), I didn't have a clue about square dancing beyond "Do Si Doh". Sure enough, a Bootjack Stomper member took me under their wing, listened to my nervous babble and assured me everything would be OK. The Stompers ensures all new dancers have a partner ("Angels" help new dancers learn). I sure wish I could remember who my first "Angel" was, because he deserves a gold medal. I'm sure I stepped on his toes more than once, crashed into him a time or two and the caller had to tell me often "Your other left". Before I knew it, I had learned the first basic calls and had danced for an hour. And, I hadn't laughed that hard in a long while. I knew I wanted to come back and learn more.
Another outstanding memory of Day One: Square Dancing and Line Dancing is Great Exercise! I was pretty tired! My whole body had definitely had a workout. However, we can easily show anyone how to adapt the either type of dancing to accommodate sore joints or legs/arms. Square Dancing wins hands down for the most overall body exercise and scores extra points for the type of activity that helps keep bones strong and the mind sharp. Oh, and don't forget the laughing!
