By Audrey Vijaindren
YOU may not see these dance moves on MTV, but this craze is fast catching up with the young at heart. AUDREY VIJAINDREN learns that line dancing is not only fun, but also a great way to stay fit.
“DON’T tell my heart, my achy breaky heart, I just don’t think he’d understand. And if you tell my heart, my achy breaky heart, he might blow up and kill this man.”
This country tune gets line dancers up and moving every time.
And just like synchronised swimmers, they religiously move together, without skipping a beat.
While the younger generation pumps iron and enrols in kickboxing classes to improve their quality of life, the older folk are stomping their feet to the tune of Kenny Rogers.
Line dancing is the second most popular extra-curricular activity in the world.
For those who aren’t familiar with the straw hats and country boots, a line dance is a choreographed dance with a repeated sequence of steps in which a group of people dance in one or more lines.
Without regard for the gender of the individuals, most dancers face the same direction and execute the same steps simultaneously.
One such dancer is Wendiy Chan Shuit Fun who has been line dancing for the past nine years.
“I’ve tried all sorts of dancing, but line dancing is where my heart is. I first learnt about line dancing while jogging in a park in Kuala Lumpur,” said Chan, 45.
“I noticed a group of women line dancing and instantly got hooked. Recovering from breast cancer, I decided this would be a fun form of exercise.”
Chan, who spends most of her time running a business in Europe, gives private classes in Malaysia as often as she can.
“Line dancing is not like any other dance form. It doesn’t require any particular outfit. All you need are dance sneakers, which can cost as little as RM150, and you’re well on your way.
“You don’t even need a partner. I line dance alone every morning at home. One hour, three times a week.”
But Chan does warn against trying to move and groove to your own beat.
“Dancing is not just about moving your legs. Like any other exercise, it’s important to know the right technique and be trained professionally.
“If done incorrectly, line dancing can inflict injury. You have to make sure you’re not using the wrong muscles.”
Although line dancing has a great following, Chan said many Malaysians are still too shy to shake their booty.
“It’s sad, but many Malay-sians, especially the older folk, still perceive dancing to be something bad.
“But any form of dancing is good for your health. When you move, you encourage blood flow and exercise your muscles.”
Chan said about 200 people show up for private line dancing parties and more than 50,000 Malaysians line dance.
“There’s a great line dancing following, especially in Penang.
“Line dancers come from all walks of life and various cultures. But most line dancers are women.
“These women prefer to line dance instead of going to the gym.
“With line dancing, they only need a T-shirt and jeans. They don’t have to feel insecure in exercise clothes.”
Public events, Chan said, is one of the ways to educate people on this dance form.
“Just like ballet and Latin dancing, line dancing is an art form. It’s a professional dance that is also an exercise of leisure. It should be taken more seriously.”
Many line dancers start off aiming to look as good as their instructors, said Chan.
But once the music starts playing, no one wants to stop moving to the beat.
Dancing for the dream
DANCING for the Dream (D4D) is a programme that promotes a healthy lifestyle and humanitarian beliefs.
All money raised from the programme will go to charity.
Date: Oct 8-12, 2008
Venues: One World Hotel and Sunway Lagoon
Day 1 (Oct 8)
* Basic 101 Training course
* Nine-hour workshop for new line dancers
* Children’s D4D Seminar 1: Four-hour nursery class for children on nature, the animal kingdom and other educational programmes
Day 2 (Oct 9)
* Seminar of low impact, yet challenging line dances along with education on how to use line dancing to ease health obstacles as you age
* Children D4D Seminar 2: Nursery class seminar for children on nature, the animal kingdom and other educational programmes.
Day 3 (Oct 10)
* Line Dance Technical Workshop
* Workshop conducted by American and Malaysian dance coordinators
Day 4 (Oct 11)
* GRACE (Geriatric Research and Continuing Education) Instructor Training
* Workshop on theory and practical training on obstacles that will occur with aging
* Charity Gala Dinner Night, with performances by Malaysian artistes and American and Malaysian line dancers
Day 5 (Oct 12)
* D4D Carnival at Sunway Lagoon – games, treasure hunt, children’s dance competition, water sports
* For details, contact Wendiy Chan 017-3366509 or Pan Swee Chin 012-2778871
(c) 2008 New Straits Times. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All rights Reserved.
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