For Exercise That Moves Bodies And Hearts, Try Soul LIne Dancing : Shots – Health News – NPR
Posted: September 27, 2019 at 12:49 am
Camille Harris performs choreographed dance moves with a fan at a soul line dancing social event in Washington, D.C. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
Camille Harris performs choreographed dance moves with a fan at a soul line dancing social event in Washington, D.C.
We all know we should be exercising, but wanting to is a different story. But what if your exercise regimen was the highlight of your week, a chance not just to get active but to see all of your friends?
Enter soul line dancing.
Soul line dancing like country line dancing is really just choreographed dance moves that you do in a group, without a partner. The Electric Slide is a classic example. The "soul" part comes from the music used like R&B, hip-hop, soul and contemporary hits.
Daryl Watson (right), a pastor at a Baptist church, says dancing keeps him in shape and helps him unwind. The Line Dance Addicts refer to him as "the Reverend"; his other nickname is "Smooth Operator." Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
Daryl Watson (right), a pastor at a Baptist church, says dancing keeps him in shape and helps him unwind. The Line Dance Addicts refer to him as "the Reverend"; his other nickname is "Smooth Operator."
It's become popular as a form of group exercise, especially among African Americans, in communities across the country. People take line dance classes at local churches, gyms and community recreation and senior centers. They adopt team names like the Sassy Steppers or the Rockettes. People come for the fitness, but they stay for the friends and the broader health benefits that come with having a supportive community.
Find more stories about your life and health
This story comes from Life Kit, NPR's family of podcasts for making life better everything from exercise to raising kids to making friends. For more, sign up for the newsletter and follow @NPRLifeKit on Twitter.
"It's a sneaky way to get exercise in," says Washington, D.C., resident and soul dancing devotee Andrea Powell. "You're exercising but you're not labeling it as exercise, because you're just having so much fun."
"I love the people, I love the exercise, it's good for your brain," she says.
Powell has been dancing for about four and a half years with the Line Dance Addicts, a line dance class at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in D.C.'s Brookland neighborhood. Her fellow Addicts dancer, Daryl Watson, is a pastor at a local Baptist church. Everyone calls him "the Reverend." He says dancing helps him unwind after long days spent ministering to the faithful.
"Saving souls is good, but I also got to save mine, and part of saving my soul is to be human," Watson says. Dancing "keeps me human, keeps me healthy, in shape and fit."
Paula Allen, "Queen Poobah," operates the music for the dance night. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
Paula Allen, "Queen Poobah," operates the music for the dance night.
Watson, Powell and other regulars attend classes at Turkey Thicket taught by instructor Paula Allen. She patiently explains the steps to a new dance until everyone present has the moves down. There's a lot of fancy-looking foot work involved stepping forward, backward and to the side, with some sliding and turning but it's not cardio intensive. Less heart-racing beats of a Zumba class, more playful moves akin to the Macarena or the Cha-Cha Slide.
Paula Allen teaches soul line dancing classes twice a week at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in D.C.'s Brookland neighborhood. Olivia Falcigno/NPR hide caption
Paula Allen teaches soul line dancing classes twice a week at the Turkey Thicket Recreation Center in D.C.'s Brookland neighborhood.
But can something this fun really count as exercise? Absolutely, says Terri Lipman, a professor in the School of Nursing at the University of Pennsylvania. "Yes, it's dance. Yes, it's fun, but it is efficient in improving cardiovascular health and providing activity," she says.
Since 2012, Lipman has been running and collecting data on a community soul line dancing program called Dance for Health. Based in West Philadelphia, a community with high poverty rates and many children at risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, the program was designed to get kids and adults in the community more physically active. Her research shows that line dancing gets heart rates pumping enough to count as moderate exercise.
"I go to the gym and no one really looks very happy in the gym," Lipman says. But at the Dance for Health line dancing classes, "everyone is smiling. There is such enjoyment that is part of music and part of rhythm, and is almost innate in humans." Another bonus: Unlike running on a treadmill, line dancing is an inherently social activity and research suggests that making exercise both fun and social are keys to creating a habit that sticks.
At a Friday night line dancing social event held at Turkey Thicket, dancers showed off their choreographed moves set to hip-hop and R&B music. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
At a Friday night line dancing social event held at Turkey Thicket, dancers showed off their choreographed moves set to hip-hop and R&B music.
Although many of the line dances are not cardio intensive, they rely on fancy footwork and moves that count as moderate exercise. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
Although many of the line dances are not cardio intensive, they rely on fancy footwork and moves that count as moderate exercise.
Lipman notes that dance in general has also been shown to help with depression and improve mobility and memory. The memory benefits, particularly in older adults, come from the fact that dance requires us to remember patterns, "so it's also muscle memory in addition to cognitive memory," she explains.
When it comes specifically to soul line dancing, Lipman's research suggests another major benefit: the social support gained from being part of a community of dancers. When Dance for Health participants were asked what brought them back to class every week, "what they told us was that it was the social support and the relationship-building that was part of this program," Lipman says. "That was something that we had seen was important, but we didn't realize it was key to what the community felt was important."
The Addicts take to the basketball court to perform during the social. '"The appeal is togetherness," Allen says. Meredith Rizzo/NPR hide caption
The Addicts take to the basketball court to perform during the social. '"The appeal is togetherness," Allen says.
That sense of community was certainly evident among the line dancers I met through Paula Allen's dance class in D.C. Some of the Addicts even travel together to line dance gatherings around the country. Allen and the team also host events for dance teams from around the D.C. region.
One of the Addicts, Marcia Lee, started coming in 2014. At the time, she says, she was out of work and "going through some things in my life." Allen and her dance mates, she says, are "straight family. They just take you in, love you from the very beginning."
Allen says many of her students have been with her since she first started teaching the class six years ago. "The appeal is togetherness," she says.
Deedee Washington, who has been an Addict for four years, brings her toddler an honorary Addict with her to class. As for her fellow dancers, Washington says: "They're my line dance family."
Read more:
For Exercise That Moves Bodies And Hearts, Try Soul LIne Dancing : Shots - Health News - NPR
- What Is Resistance Training? Benefits, Examples, And How Start - Women's Health - January 14th, 2021
- FIBO and EuropeActive extend partnership for another three years - Club Industry - January 14th, 2021
- CES 2021 trends in TV streaming, fitness apps, video chat software and more - CNET - January 14th, 2021
- Wireless Health and Fitness Devices Market: Future Innovation Ways That, Growth & Profit Analysis, Forecast By 2026 - KSU | The Sentinel Newspaper - January 14th, 2021
- Health and fitness with Ceredigion instructor Joey Bull - Tivyside Advertiser - January 14th, 2021
- Don't Give Up: 9 Ways to Reinvent Your 2021 Diet, Fitness Resolutions - Healthline - January 14th, 2021
- The best wearables, health and fitness tech of CES 2021 - Gadgets & Wearables - January 14th, 2021
- Hyperice and Aktiv Solutions Team to Design Recovery Spaces for Hotels and Amenities Worldwide - PRNewswire - January 14th, 2021
- 5 strategies for cultivating hope this year | Health and Fitness - Hickory Daily Record - January 14th, 2021
- Help is available for depression | Health and Fitness | journalstar.com - Lincoln Journal Star - January 14th, 2021
- Want to stick to your New Years fitness resolutions? Heres how: - WTTV CBS4Indy - January 14th, 2021
- Mikey Moon's health and fitness column: Learn every week - Blackpool Gazette - January 14th, 2021
- Deal: This Is Your Last Chance to Take $350 Off the Mirror Fitness Display - InsideHook - January 14th, 2021
- Stationary Cycle Market will Generate Massive Revenue in Future | Nautilus, Brunswick, Core Health And Fitness, Lifecore Fitness, Precor Incorporated ... - January 14th, 2021
- Orangetheory Fitness launches 100th virtual studio in Canada on the strength of its Orangetheory Live platform - Canada NewsWire - January 14th, 2021
- From remote working to better health programs, these are the workforce trends in 2021 - WXYZ - January 14th, 2021
- Cardio Fitness Lowers Risk of Heart Disease | Heart Disease Risk and Cardio Fitness - Runner's World - January 14th, 2021
- How can organizations offer health and wellness benefits in 2021? Ask HR - USA TODAY - January 14th, 2021
- Global Connected Wearable Device Markets 2021-2026 in Healthcare, Wellness, and Fitness by Device Type, Use Case, and Application -... - January 14th, 2021
- Walking vs. running: Weight loss, heart health, and more - Medical News Today - December 16th, 2020
- Get to the root cause of tooth pain - Daily Herald - December 16th, 2020
- Get Matched with the Fitness Companion of Your Dreams - PRNewswire - December 16th, 2020
- This Connected Fitness Bike is set to become India's biggest health and wellness trend of 2021 - TechnoSports - December 16th, 2020
- Apple CEO Tim Cook Talks Apple Watch, Health and Fitness on 'Outside' Podcast - iPhone in Canada - December 16th, 2020
- Find out what's next in health and wellness - AdAge.com - December 16th, 2020
- Meet the Amazfit GTS 2 mini - Latest Stylish Smartwatch and Lightweight Fitness Companion, with Upgraded Health Tracking and Smart Features -... - December 16th, 2020
- Life Time will include Apple Fitness+ as part of club membership - iMore - December 16th, 2020
- Worldwide Fitness Industry - The Strength Equipment Segment is Expected to Grow With a CAGR of 7% Up to 2025 - PRNewswire - December 16th, 2020
- Stay in shape: Beat the winter blues - Lincoln Journal Star - December 16th, 2020
- Apple Watch Gains Cardio Fitness Notifications: What You Need To Know - Screen Rant - December 16th, 2020
- Tech and fitness: Tackling immunity, health and new frontiers - Daily Maverick - December 16th, 2020
- Val Morgan Outdoor Bulks Up Health And Fitness Screen Network With Jetts Fitness - B&T - December 16th, 2020
- Top 10 Fitness Trackers, Smartwatches Of 2020: Everything From Apple Watch To Samsung Fit - Gizbot - December 16th, 2020
- Global Health and Fitness Apps Market 2020 Trends, Industry Growth and Business Statistics, Forecasts 2025 - The Courier - December 16th, 2020
- Minnesota's fitness industry pushes state officials to let them reopen gyms - Minneapolis Star Tribune - December 16th, 2020
- The Samsung Galaxy Fit is among the best fitness trackers we've triedand less than $50 - USA TODAY - December 16th, 2020
- Tech Giants of Silicon Valley: Friend or Foe to the Fitness Industry? - Club Industry - December 4th, 2020
- Impact of COVID-19 on Health and Fitness Club Market 2020 | Size, Growth, Demand, Opportunities & Forecast To 2026 | McFIT GmbH, Migros Group,... - December 4th, 2020
- States with the highest rates of depression | Health and Fitness - Quad City Times - December 4th, 2020
- Health and Fitness App Market Forecast by current Industry Status and Growth Opportunities Upto 2027 - The Haitian-Caribbean News Network - December 4th, 2020
- Timex fitness band review: Expensive but a better-looking fitness tracker - Business Standard - December 4th, 2020
- Cyber Monday 2020: The best Fitbit, Garmin and fitness tracker deals right now - USA TODAY - December 4th, 2020
- Mikey Moon's health and fitness column: Planning for the festive season - Blackpool Gazette - December 4th, 2020
- Health and Fitness Club Market Size, Share, Drivers, Restraints, and Forecast to 2027 - The Haitian-Caribbean News Network - December 4th, 2020
- Racing ahead many others in the online fitness industry is a passionate fitness guru and chef Tomas Chlup - Seekers Time - December 4th, 2020
- Comprehensive Report on Mobile Health and Fitness Sensor Market 2020 | Size, Growth, Demand, Opportunities & Forecast To 2026 | Analog Devices,... - December 4th, 2020
- EverCommerce Acquires My PT Hub, a Leading Personal Training and Fitness Engagement Platform - The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel - December 4th, 2020
- Best fitness tracker: Learn what the best fitness tracker is here - Medical News Today - December 4th, 2020
- Global Gyms, Health and Fitness Clubs Market 2020 | Know the Companies List Could Potentially Benefit or Loose out From the Impact of COVID-19 | Top... - December 4th, 2020
- Tag: Core Health and Fitness LLC - The Market Feed - December 4th, 2020
- 30 sleep habits from around the world | Health and Fitness - Hickory Daily Record - December 4th, 2020
- Global Wireless Health and Fitness Devices Market 2020 Production, Revenue, Average Product Price and Market Shares of Key Players 2025 - The Market... - December 4th, 2020
- States with the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rates | Health and Fitness - Dothan Eagle - December 4th, 2020
- Gyms, Health and Fitness Clubs Market Size, Trends, Growth, Scope, Overall Analysis and Forecast by 2027 - The Haitian-Caribbean News Network - December 4th, 2020
- Mobile Health and Fitness Sensor Market anticipated to grow at a strong CAGR by 2026: focuses on top players - Murphy's Hockey Law - December 4th, 2020
- Amazfit Bip U Makes this Affordable Fitness & Health Tracker Even Better [Review] - Gstyle magazine - December 4th, 2020
- The 26 best health and fitness Christmas gifts of 2020 - South Wales Argus - November 10th, 2020
- Health and Fitness Club Market 2020 Industry Key Players, Trends, Sales, Supply, Demand, Analysis & Forecast to 2026 | Original Temple Gym,... - November 10th, 2020
- Cope with post-election stress | Health and Fitness | journalstar.com - Lincoln Journal Star - November 10th, 2020
- Introducing The #1 Business Coach For Health & Fitness- Anthony Mendez - California Herald - November 10th, 2020
- How FitWithCJ Is Increasing The Value Of Fitness Professionals One Post At A Time - GlobeNewswire - November 10th, 2020
- Kick Start The Holiday Season With The Judgement Free Zone - PRNewswire - November 10th, 2020
- The Daily Click: Health, fitness & wellbeing The Clare Echo News - The Clare Echo - November 10th, 2020
- KHN's 'What The Health?': Change Is in the Air - Martinsville Bulletin - November 10th, 2020
- Celebrity fitness instructor Yasmin Karachiwala shares diet tips on keeping healthy this festive season - Times of India - November 10th, 2020
- Ally Love on the Special Bond She Shares With the Other Peloton Instructors - POPSUGAR - November 10th, 2020
- Nutritionist and fitness expert share exclusive tips on how to have a guilt free Diwali - PINKVILLA - November 10th, 2020
- Wireless Health and Fitness Device Market Share 2020 Global Industry Key Strategies, Historical Analysis, Segmentation, Application, Technology,... - November 10th, 2020
- Black Friday and Cyber Monday Sales Will Have the Best Fitness Deals Weve Seen This Year - menshealth.com - November 10th, 2020
- Recharge your batteries | Health and Fitness | journalstar.com - Lincoln Journal Star - November 10th, 2020
- States with the highest cancer rates | Health and Fitness - Martinsville Bulletin - November 10th, 2020
- Health and Fitness App Market 2020: Size, Professional Survey, and Forecast to 2027 - Eurowire - November 10th, 2020
- Medical Fitness Association Names Kevin McHugh to Board of Directors - Club Industry - November 10th, 2020
- Comprehensive Report on Health and Fitness Wearable Market 2020 | Size, Growth, Demand, Opportunities & Forecast To 2026 | Athos, Ava, Catapult... - November 10th, 2020
- Health & Fitness Software Market Size, Drivers, Potential Growth Opportunities, Competitive Landscape, Trends And Forecast To 2027 - Eurowire - November 10th, 2020
- Dr. Jeremy James Launches The FITFOREVER Platform - Men's Journal - November 3rd, 2020
- Global Health and Fitness Club Market 2025 In-depth Coverage and Various Important Aspects of COVID 19 Outbreak Impact : Original Temple Gym,... - November 3rd, 2020
- Health and Fitness Apps Market 2020 | Increasing Demand, Future Investment Initiatives, Business Strategies and Forecasts to 2027 - Eurowire - November 3rd, 2020
- 40 Of Rihanna's Top Fitness, Health, And Diet Habits - Women's Health - November 3rd, 2020
- How to Watch the Men's Health Next Top Trainer Competition - menshealth.com - November 3rd, 2020