News Taffy

Most people probably don’t like to exercise. I do, but my husband doesn’t forinstance. He would truly enjoy being a couch potato while I can’t sit still thatlong. But I believe that anyone can find some type of exercise that they can enjoy,it just takes a little effort. My husband and I have found an activity where we canhave a good time and get a good workout - Latin dancing.

Now I know right away you men are turned off. Men (white men) don’t like dancingmuch and that is a shame. If only men would realize that dancing is a great way tosocialize and meet women. It is also a shame that children in this country grow upwithout learning to dance properly. If boys were taught to lead, and the correctsteps, they would be much more confident and comfortable dancing. Girls need to betaught to follow and the correct steps, as well.

Back to Latin dancing. We attend two classes a week, one private and the other atthe Trim Gym open to anyone. The classes are taught by Alex Lorenzana, a native ofMexico who has danced and taught for years. Alex teaches salsa, bachata, merengue,cha cha, paso doble and tango. These classes are a workout as Alex makes us warm upwith a series of exercises designed to teach you to move your hips and shoulderslike you will in the actual dances. More importantly, these classes are fun. Welaugh and have good time with the other students while working up a good sweat. Call Alex at 870-761-8663 for more information.

But there’s no place to go dancing around here you may say, so what’s the point? But you would be wrong. The Rumba Room in Memphis is a club dedicated to Latindancing. It is located on Main Street and the phone number is 901-523-0020 or youcan find it online. They also teach classes there before the real dancing begins. My husband and I went there for the first time this past weekend with Alex and hiswife and had a wonderful time. There were many fabulous dancers as well asbeginners so it was as much fun to watch as it was to dance.

If Latin dancing doesn’t appeal to you, there are other ways to get involved. PatCosby teaches line dancing in Paragould weekly at the community center. A friend ofmine has been line dancing for years because she likes the fun and friendship not tomention the good exercise she gets. With line dancing, you don’t have to have apartner which makes it more inviting for some. Square dancing is available inJonesboro as well and singles are welcome. Contact Bonnie Hallet at 870-932-7740for more information.

So if you don’t like to exercise because it is boring or you don’t like to sweat orbe sore, maybe you should try something social like dancing. Don’t worry aboutlooking silly because you don’t know the steps at first. We all start out at thesame place and make mistakes. Stick with it and you will make progress. Just don’ttry to reach me on Monday and Thursday nights cause I’ll be dancing.

Until next week,

Lisa