Swing Dancing To a Plant-Based Beat

"We may think of joy as something that happens spontaneously. Few people realize that it needs to be cultivated and practiced in order to grow" - Thich Nhat Hanh - "How To Walk" The beauty of life is often realized in the simplest of activities. One such activity is dance, a form of art that transcends the physical into the realm of emotion, expression, and unity. This blog post delves into the profound beauty of dance and its significance in celebrating life. Mindful of the Present Moment Life is a series of moments, some fleeting, others impactful, but all worth experiencing. One such moment is when you dance. Dance encourages us to be mindful of the present moment. It offers a respite from the worries of the past or the uncertainty of the future, allowing us to find joy in the here and now. Each step, each movement, is a conscious decision, a heartfelt expression, a moment to be savored. Therefore, take some time each day to just dance, be present, and enjoy the

The Carolina Shag is a fast-paced, upbeat dance that originated in the Carolinas in the 1940s. It is danced to beach music, which is a mix of country, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. The Shag is known for its quick footwork and flashy moves. While the Shag is a unique dance in its own right, it is also rooted in the tradition of swing dancing. Swing dancing is a broad term that encompasses many different styles of dance, including the Shag, Lindy Hop, Charleston, and Balboa. Swing dances are all characterized by their syncopated rhythms and playful movements. If you are a fan of swing dancing, or if you are looking for a new and exciting dance to learn, then the Carolina Shag is a great option. The Shag is a fun and challenging dance that can be enjoyed by dancers of all skill levels. Here are some of the benefits of learning the Carolina Shag: It's a great way to get exercise. It's a fun and social dance. It's relatively easy to learn. It's a versatile dance that

Swing dancing is a fun and energetic dance style that is enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It is a great way to get exercise, meet new people, and have a good time. Recently, I developed a class that introduces swing by utilizing a progression of swing dances. We started with single-step swing, the simplest form of swing dancing. Once the participants had mastered the basics of single-step swing, we moved on to double-step swing (basis of the Bop) and then triple-step swing (basis of east coast swing and Carolina Shag). I was amazed at how quickly the participants learned the different swing dances. Within 30 minutes, most of the participants were practicing the dance confidently. Here is a brief overview of the progression of swing dances that we used in our class: Single-step swing: This is the simplest form of swing dancing. It consists of one step in each direction, followed by a rock step. Double-step swing: This is a variation of single-step swing where you take two

We've been thinking about this for awhile and after some nudging from our daughter-in-law, Amber, I am working towards allowing the idea to come to fruition. So here it is! Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective is a community service project run by Roger and Denise Underhill, two experienced and passionate swing and Carolina shag dance instructors. We offer a variety of classes for all levels, from beginner to advanced, and we are committed to providing our students with a fun and supportive learning environment. Whether you are new to swing and shag dancing or you are looking to improve your skills, we have a class for you. Our classes are designed to be fun and challenging, and we teach our students all of the essential skills they need to dance with confidence. We also offer private lessons for students who want more personalized instruction. In addition to our classes, we are looking to host regular social dance events where our students can come together to practice

Denise and I teach a mix of beginner and intermediate Swing & Carolina Shag dance classes in 4 to 5 six-week sessions per year. They are currently being hosted by the Colonial Heights Moose Lodge and are available for free with a $45/year Moose Membership. The most recent event flyer is below, feel free to share:

Playing with less skilled players can be a rewarding experience for both you and the other players. It's a great way to improve your teaching skills, be a positive role model, build camaraderie, and have fun! All of these are the goals of most recreational sports programs. As players begin to attain more skill in this environment, they tend to move around, and away from less skilled players in search of what they consider are better games or a more engaging experience. In the process m ore skilled players, in any recreational sport, can inadvertently set up a pass/fail environment when choosing teammates or opponents. These actions can inhibit the creation of  a more inclusive and enjoyable gaming environment for everyone. There are a few reasons why more skilled players might do this. The desire to win - They may feel that they have a better chance of winning if they choose teammates who are also skilled, and they may feel that they have a better chance of winning if they avoid c

My wife and I started dancing together as a way to enjoy each other's company and have some fun. We quickly found that dance was much more than that for us. It became our place of refuge, recreation, and an escape from the troubles of life. We have faced many challenges in our lives, but dance has always been there for us. When my father was diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia, we found that dance was a way to cope with the stress and grief. We would dance together in the evenings after a long day of caregiving, and it would help us to relax and forget about our troubles for a while. After my father passed away, we continued to dance as a way to heal. Dance helped us to process our grief and to find joy in life again. We also began to teach dance, which gave us a sense of purpose and helped us to connect with other people. In 2022, we decided to focus on the Carolina Shag. We joined the Competitive Shaggers Association and began to learn from some of the best Carolina Shag dancers in