Angels

You do not need a partner! We will teach you everything you need to know. People who have never danced before are invited to join us at one of our open houses to give square dancing a try and at beginning square dance classes. Most of us knew nothing about square dancing before joining the group. Some of us swore that we had "two left feet" and couldn't dance at all! We remember what it was like for us when we were learning. Therefore, the teaching is gentle, encouraging, supportive, and fun.

Square Dancing Is:

Square dancing is America's folk dance, and the official dance of 17 states, including Virginia and Maryland. It has its roots in older dance forms including the polka, jig, minuet, reel, and quadrille. The dances are not memorized; instead, the dancers follow the instructions of a caller. Square dances consist of successive standard movements choreographed by the caller. Music is not limited to country/western, but can include old favorites, folk songs, show tunes, and current hits.

Fun

Its contagious, you cannot help but to laught and smile while you round and square dance! While dancing the dancers constantly change their positions and their partners until, at the end of a sequence, they are (or should be) back where and with whom they have started. The order in which the specific dance movements, the calls, have to be danced is up to the caller, so the dancers do not know what the next call will be, making every dance a new challenge for each group of eight dancers. This is what makes Square Dance a dance full of fun and variety, that stimulates your concentrativeness and reactions. The fact that you are not only dancing with one partner, but with a new partner for each dance and with three other couples in a square makes it easy to get to know the other dancers. Best conditions for singles and those of you who like to dance but your partner does not.

Social Interaction

Dancing with others who just want to enjoy the joy of dance! Meeting new friends in a safe environment. As exercise, it's a great way to get a cardiovascular workout; as a form of socializing, you can meet in a stress-free, smoke-free, and alcohol-free environment. Club members feel a special fellowship toward one another and often develop lasting friendships that span both in and out of square dancing.

Web MD

http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/a-z/dance-for-exercise

Next Generation Square Dancing

http://nexgen-sd.org/health-benefits.html

Stanford University

https://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm

Improved Memory Skills

Your mind will become more alert and sharper. You will feel so much younger! Square dancing is a kind of aerobic fitness exercise without environmental restrictions that yields many benefits for physical and mental health; this exercise is popular among middle-aged and elderly people in America and in these populations in other countries. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of square dance exercise on the overall cognitive function of elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to research its mechanisms. National Center for Biotechnology Information

Exercise

Feel better about yourself and enjoy a healthy, longer life! One of the greatest advantages of square dancing is its low-impact nature. Unlike activities that involve pounding the joints, such as running or high-intensity aerobics, square dancing is gentle on the body. The movements primarily involve walking, stepping, and swaying to the music, making it accessible to individuals with various fitness levels and physical abilities.

The dance patterns are designed to flow smoothly and gracefully, engaging the muscles in the legs, hips, and core without subjecting them to excessive strain. This gentle workout helps improve cardiovascular health, endurance, and flexibility over time, all while reducing the risk of injury that can be associated with higher-impact exercises.