Feel the Rhythm

One of the reasons I enjoy teaching classes so much is music. Whether it is kickboxing, aerobics, yoga or line dancing, they are all done to music. Music has direct effect on our senses. It can be uplifting or soothing. A familiar tune or a certain song evokes wide-ranging feelings. It changes our moods. It relaxes our mind. It heals our soul. I can’t imagine my life without music.

This is especially so in line dancing. Line dancing is performed by a number of people all facing in the same direction and moving in lines. Everybody in the line does the same steps. A line dance consists of a sequence of steps repeated several times to a particular piece of music. It used to be done in Country & Western music.

However, over the years, line dancing has evolved to include music of different genre like pop, Latin, Celtic & even hip-hop. We have even danced to tunes by Pussycat Dolls, Beyonce, Shakira, Akon, Michael Buble, Maroon 5, Gwen Stefani, etc. Who are the participants? Majority comes from your neighbourhood aunties, a few working adults and some youngsters as well.

I teach about 5 line dancing classes a week. Each week there is at least 20 new choreography coming from UK, USA & Australia. But not all dances are awesome; in fact some dances suck big time! Therefore I have to be very discerning with my selection. But when there’s a fabulous choreography, I can really immerse myself in the music. I would imagine myself to be the protagonist in the song and express my feelings through the movements. It’s like being in the music video, allowing the body to be in sync with the rhythm, crooning to the tune – a vicarious experience.