You are here:
- Home
- Music/Performing Arts
- Dance
- Ballroom Dancing
- dance moves for seniors
Ballroom Dancing/dance moves for seniors
Advertisement
Question
I work with seniors as a life enrichment coordinator. I would like to find some swing dance movements that could be adapted into a chair dancing routine for the seniors to perform for their families.Do you know of any steps or movements that could be used like that?
COBY: 12-07
I am so sorry for the delay. My Computer was down for over 3 weeks- curses on Microsoft and bill gates.
NOTE:
l or L means LEFT R or Rt means RIGHT.Wt means weight.
Ok Colby: While I do not know of the age, number, or ability of your group, generally I think you could have all do:
A:
1. a wave -like move Al to rt:
2. rt to left consecutive move from chair to chair of the rt foot put out in a kick.
3. all at the same time put heel down toe up and clap.
4. feet flat and clap.
5. other feet heel down and clap.
6. tap l toe and place foot back flat on floor.
7. do rt foot the same.
8. put left foot in front of rt and back .
9. put rt foot in front of left and back.
10. put left foot swivel walking to left 1,2 count using rotate on heel then ball and return with possible repeat? then:
11 same thing rt foot to rt side.
12. bounce l knee up and down to music then rt the same.
13. extend feet out to front, first l then rt.
14. clap, then slap thigh l then rt. to music.
15. do macarena -like moves like hands behind head,pinch ears/nose.
16. extend arms to front.
17. chicken wing elbows out moves to music.
18. twist torso to l and rt to music.
19. nod head.
20. rotate hands in tumbleweed move like a boxer on a speed bag.
21. cross arms then lift up l and then right.
22. raise arms over head and wiggle fingers, hands etc.
23. reach over to next chair and high five or clap, or hold hands.
24. kick left out and then tap r, then left.
25. same with rt.
26. extend both legs and rotate foot with wt. on heels
27. l then rt and both.
28. alternate l and rt crossing behind other foot with toe touching floor.
B: Another dance possibility is to have chairs facing each other and dancers interact like toes touching, feet extending and missing, l and rt, hands clapping opposite hand etc. etc.
C: include wheelchairs moved by others rocking,circling, tipping up, and turning l and rt to music. Wheelchairs going around stationary chairs, around each other. high fives, holding hands etc.
I hope this gives you some ideas. These things I do as a leader of senior dance. Feel free to change the order and style. Please let me know how it turned out.
Thank you for your patience.
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | I was thrilled with the answer that I received. It was not only informative, it was creative. The seniors I work for may not be able to dance the way they used to but with these directions they will feel as though they just took a spin around the dance floor. I have two left feet but feel confident that if I follow these instructions it won't be totally obvious.My many thanks and I hope I can ask for more help in the future.David, I appreciate the time you took for this. You are a very generous man. | ||
Related Articles
David Lynch
Expertise
I can answer questions on American Ballroom dancing, including EAST COAST, West Coast Swing, American Tango, Waltz, Foxtrot:( 5 STYLES), Cha Cha, Rumba, salsa, merengue, Charleston, lindy charleston, 2 Step C/W, Blues swing, , single, double, triple and combo swing, be bop, rock, and Mambo. Swing- especialy 50'S rock and swing, is my specialty. I cover MOST basic beginner type questions on steps, style,LEADING, etc. I slso take some FAQs on the borders of martial arts and dance. I do not try to answer questions about international, competition, gold level or folk styles or advanced dancing or argentine tango,punks, hip hop, break dancing,or any dancing beyond 24 months of dance training, Thank you.
Experience
I have been teaching ballroom dance since 1958, over 50 years. I atarted at Arthur Murrays dance studios. I teach at Intel to the employees at lunch hour. I teach at the Shelton Elks and Briggs YMCA
Organizations
YMCA, Dance club of Olympia, love to dance club, Te -Ken- Jutsu Kai, literally hand-fist, arts club. Bahai Faith, NORTH west Fruit and berry growers assoc.
Education/Credentials
I got a 2 year degree at Los angeles city college, and 2 years study at LA state university. majoring in Psychology, and sociology.
Past/Present Clients
Thousands of students in Minnesota, Los Angeles, and now Washington State, usually give me standing applause after my classes in basic ballroom dance. I have helped teens and adults all over the world.I teach and dance host on cruise ships like NORWEGIAN STAR TO ACAPULCO, , CARNIVAL SPIRIT AND CELEBRITY INFINITY TO ALASKA. Students come to me from Canada, Mexico, and all over the USA. They go on waiting lists. I teach atYMCA, dance clubs, private homes, country clubs, retirement centers, hospitals, re unions, Government offices, corporations, factories, churches, to workers and staff during lunch breaks. I do dance host, dj and parties. To find out more, ask me about my classes. TRY MY NEW 2010 WEBSITE AT www.olympiadancelessons.com, Or google me. at dance olympia or swing olympia.
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.