Exercising with Urban Line Dancing: See You On the Wood

The year rolls on and I’m continuing my weight loss efforts. Controlling my food intake, watching my portions and following healthy eating guidelines are important to my success. But, all serious weight loss efforts include exercise. Over the past several years my exercise of choice was aqua aerobics, but recently thanks to my youngest daughter, I’ve developed an interest in urban line dancing. It’s fun, easy, and supports my efforts to “move more”.

Perhaps you've done the Electric Slide or Macarena at weddings. Urban line dancing, also known as Hip Hop step dancing or soul line dancing, offers the same kind of fun as dancing with other people but without needing a partner. It’s a great way to meet new friends and share a rewarding experience. You may be familiar with the intricate footwork and hand/arm isolations on the hip hop dances seen on shows like America's Best Dance Crew. Unlike hip hop dances, urban line dances are somewhat more accessible and can be done by people of all ages, shapes and sizes.

Nowadays, urban line dancing is more than just the Electric Slide or Cupid Shuffle. There are hundreds of great dances to learn and are being taught from coast to coast with hot spots in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, Atlanta, South Carolina and California.

 

 



Urban line dances such as the Wobble, Cupid Shuffle, Cha Cha Slide, Zydeco Slide, Bikers Shuffle or Booty Call are similar to country line dances except danced to soul, funk, R&B, gospel, hip hop or contemporary pop music. Many of these songs and dances are great line dances for high school proms, college dances, reunions, bachelor/bachelorette parties, retirement functions, mixers, and office parties. They're so easy, everyone from kids to seniors can easily bust a move.

 



Learning the steps to these dances is really easy. My husband and I attend a weekly urban line dance class at the local YMCA, just as we did years ago when we learned country line dancing at our senior citizens activity center. Both venues offer instruction for beginners at a nominal fee. Another easy avenue is the instructional videos on You Tube. There are a host of individuals and groups who demonstrate the dance steps in a simple format. It’s like taking a bite of the elephant, one bite at a time. Seeing a crowded dance floor may be intimidating initially, but you’ll be surprised at how fast you’ll find yourself jumping up when you hear your favorite songs. Then again, there’s the safety of your own home for perfecting the urban line dances that suit your fancy.

Try this fun way to increase your stamina and to move your body. I’ll see you on the wood (dance floor that is). You won’t regret it.

Posted in: Biker's Shuffle,Cha Cha Slide,Culture,Cupid Shuffle,exercise with line dancing,Healtier Lifestyles,Hip Hop step dancing,soul line dancing,The Emerald Quill,Urban line dancing,Wobble