Dance Your Way to Better Health. -by Linda L. Osmundson
The first date with my future husband involved dancing. When I peered over the deck of my 5th floor apartment, I saw the good-looking young man I’d seen washing his Thunderbird as I left for the grocery store that morning. He and another man lounged on the edge of our apartment’s pool.
“I’m going to the pool,” I told my roommate.
Not really fond of swimming, I sat on the edge and dangled my feet in the water. The man swam to my side. We talked for a good while. Then he asked, “What kind of wine do you like?” Having grown up in a dry Texas county, I informed him I’d never drunk wine.
He declared he’d cook dinner for us and promised to serve a wine I’d love. Needless to say, I didn’t care for the burgundy! But, we discovered we liked to dance. He turned on the record player and we danced. “Do you cha cha?” I asked. I tried to teach him. In 54 years of marriage, he barely learned the cha cha and never learned to waltz.
Yet he danced well, and dancing became our favorite pastime. Upon his retirement, we danced across oceans aboard 14 cruise ships. During his 10-year dementia journey, we continued to dance until his muscle weakness prevented dancing or even walking. After his death, I missed our dances. I’d often turn the radio to a 50’s station and dance with the stair railing as my partner.
In 2025, I gathered my courage and attended the Fort Collins and Loveland Senior Centers’ social dances. At first I had a hard time following various partners. Eventually, I relaxed and learned the country two-step most men danced to the country music the bands performed. I still haven’t the nerve to line dance because of poor balance issues.
That said, dancing is a fun way to socialize, exercise, control weight and meet your daily step goal. Dance improves muscle tone, strength, endurance, fitness, memory and balance. It relieves stress and depression and enhances mood. Who doesn’t have fun dancing and “letting loose?” You gain confidence and self-esteem! You can dance with a partner, group or alone.
Besides senior centers, other venues offer dancing for couples as well as singles. Many provide an hour-long lesson before the band arrives. NoCO Swing Dance Community’s (https://www.nocoswingdance.com/) newsletter keeps abreast of dance opportunities at various venues – Fort Collins Masonic Temple, The Churn in downtown Fort Collins and more. Some are free while others require a cover charge ranging from $10 to $15 or $20.
CAT’s Corner Swing Dance Club (https://www.catscornerswing.com/) welcomes beginners to experts for jazz dance lessons followed by dancing for three hours at various venues like Club Tico in Fort Collins City Park.
Goodtimes Dance Club (https://www.goodtimesdanceclub.com/) concentrates on Ballroom dance for couples; a few singles attend. Each dance is preceded by a lesson. Join them once a month at Loveland’s Pullium Building.
The Traditional Jazz Society hosts two jazz bands at Avogadro’s Number –Poudre River Irregulars the first Friday of every month 4-7 pm and Harmony Hotshots the third Sunday 3-5:30 pm. Dance floor is limited, but dancing is possible. A cover charge of $20 is required for 2½ to 3 hours of uplifting traditional jazz.
Check the Internet for private or group lessons and dance venues in your area. Improve your health – DANCE!
Linda L. Osmundson authored the award-winning three-book series How the West Was Drawn – Cowboy Charlie’s Art, Frederic Remington’s Art and Women’s Art. Like the series, her newest book, Papa’s Changes, Dementia Through a Child’s Eyes is meant for readers age 7 - 107. Hundreds of her articles have appeared in magazines, anthologies such as Chicken Soup for the Soul, blogs and newspapers. Discover more at LindaOsmundson.com.
