By Setarreh Massihzadegan
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

No matter how many years have passed since you last took to the dance floor for a line dance, there is no room for excuses on the floor of Linden Ponds’ fitness studio every ursday evening.

“Your feet remember better than your brain,” says Vivian Bleakney, who lives at Linden Ponds and leads the line dancing group of about 15 people. “ The music helps your body feel it.”

Learning with each step
Despite the long list of activities to choose from at Linden Ponds, the dance enthusiasts make time just before dinner to brush up on their moves and enjoy one another’s company.

“It’s just a lot of fun, and we’ve got a great teacher,” says Natalie Shaughnessy, who lives at Linden Ponds and participates in the line dancing group.

When the community’s previous line dancing class didn’t work out, Bleakney stepped up to the challenge, offering to learn both the dance steps and the sound system to get the activity going again. A former kindergarten teacher, she has plenty of teaching experience, but she says this is more of a group effort than a class.

“ The more people you have, the more you’re going to find someone who knows more than you,” Bleakney says. She encourages people who know more to come up and teach the group a few steps.

Entertainment and fitness
Just as every dancer comes to the group with varying levels of expertise, each comes with differing levels of strength, and there’s something for everyone in line dancing.

At a recent line dance session, which included numbers like the “Hully Gully,” “Electric Slide,” and “Achy Breaky Heart,” Bleakney encouraged the other dancers to take each song to their own level. Those confident with their steps could add some wider arm movements to work up a sweat, while those newer to the dance could tap their toes on the ground rather than raise their legs up to their knees.

“ These are very active people,” Bleakney says. “ This is like another form of exercise.”