Fit to Play:: The Fountain of Youth

I don’t think this is news for you but I am 50 years old. Recently, as within the past month, and on separate occasions, individuals have believed me to be 35. That is a great compliment.

Though I formed Fit to Play as a resource for individuals to create the Adult Recess they desire and fill it with fun and giggles, my recess’ fun and giggles come from dancing. I love to swing dance; West Coast Swing, East Coast Swing, Balboa, Shag and Lindy Hop plus many other forms of dance.

One of the creators of the Lindy Hop is Frankie Manning. You can see Frankie on youtube.com. He said in a 1997 interview at the age of 81, “Dancing keeps me young and for anyone out there who’s not dancing, better start.” Frankie is now 92 years old. He still dances and he still teaches the Lindy Hop.

The majority of Lindy Hoppers where I live are in the 20s and 30s and I can keep up with them. I find dancing to be one of the best sources of exercise, a fabulous social outlet and the never ending fountain of youth. No creams, potions or pills to turn back the clock for me – just dancing.

Have I convinced anyone to start dancing if you haven’t already? Get in on one of the best “fountains of youth,” – Learn to dance!

Debra Seeck, Lifestyle Fitness and Dance Coach
Fit to Play and Mz Jitterbug
www.mzjitterbug.com debra@mzjitterbug

Fit To Play

Excerpt from “Play in Unison” by Debra Seeck

“The breathe. The pulse. The heart beat….Body rhythms.

We were all born to dance.”

I was fortunate to be born into a Midwest German farm community where dancing was just part of the culture. Okay, yes, it was Polka music and dancing. But, we danced, all 600 of us. The only qualification was you must be at a walking age to be on the dance floor. I was probably three. I remember my first “dance” was being able to run across the wooden dance floor and slide without running into a couple dancing the Two-step, the Waltz, the Foxtrot or the Polka. Actually, I stayed out of the way when the Polka was danced. It was faster and my timing was usually a bit off. A collision with a German couple dancing was unacceptable and had unpleasant consequences, “Don’t Ya Know!”

The Polka band accordion player had a lisp. My sister and I, along with my dad, still try to talk like him. Oh, it is so not right to mock him. The reality is we loved him. He was the one who kept our family dancing and together. He sang his heart out; he did, while playing the piano note accordion to the ohm-pa-pa of the drum beat behind him. His music generated the movement on the dance floor. And, it was beautiful.”

There, I’ve told you a little bit about me. But there is so much more to being a farm girl. I had the fortune as a child of playing Tag in the barn and Hide & Go Seek at night with my siblings and cousins. And, of course, we spent hours running to catch the fireflies to make our “bug lantern.”

Childhood games! Lucky for me, the games haven’t ended. At the age of 50, I still play Tag and Hide & Go Seek. The giggles are the most precious of the games.

So, how about you? Do you still play Tag and Hide & Go Seek? When was the last time those of you in the Midwest made a “bug lantern?” Imagine organizing an adult outing of any one of those games. The fun could be immense…just as immense as the energy exertion… but without the structure and the doldrums of a formal workout. Give it a go! The Adult Recess – plan one today!

Debra Seeck

www.mzjitterbug.com

debra@mzjitterbug.com

For a full copy of "Play in Unison" send a request to me.

Fit To Play Wednesday: Dance for Heart's Sake

Have you heard the phrase, "Dance like no one is watching." Consider the following information to inspire you to do just that.

(Excerpt from an Associated Press article titled, "Prescription: Dance for Heart's Sake.")

"CHICAGO, IL : Italian researchers have come up with a novel way for cardiac rehabilitation patients to exercise their damaged hearts without having to squeeze into spandex or gyrate in a gym: waltzing.

The dance proved to be just as effective as bicycle and treadmill training for improving exercise capacity in a study of 110 heart failure patients. Dancers also reported slightly more improvement in sleep, mood, and the ability to do hobbies, do housework and have sex than the others."

If you're not interested in learning the waltz, try east coast swing or salsa or the two-step. Imagine your playground filled with music and dance. Then jump in and enjoy!

Debra Seeck, Lifestyle Fitness and Dance Coach
www.mzjitterbug.com
debra@mzjitterbug.com