Dancing to a Better YOU!

 

 

What you may not realize, is that if you get off the couch and dance, it’s a great way to keep your body and mind healthy. Studies show that dancing can help you lose weight, stay flexible, reduce stress, make friends, and more.

Dance not only instills grace, but it also helps you age gracefully. According to a study in The New England Journal of Medicine, dancing may boost your memory and prevent you from developing dementia as you get older. Science reveals that aerobic exercise can reverse volume loss in the hippocampus, the part of the brain that controls memory. The hippocampus naturally shrinks during late adulthood, which often leads to impaired memory and sometimes dementia.

Those plies and arabesques that ballet dancers practice aren’t just for aesthetics — they also increase flexibility and reduce stiffness. You can skip the ballet slippers and still reap the benefits of ballet by practicing some simple stretches at home. Increasing your flexibility will help ease joint pain and post-exercise soreness.

If you’re feeling tense or stressed out, turn up the music, and dance! In a controlled study in the Journal of Applied Gerontology, researchers found that partner dance or simply dancing with musical accompaniment can help bring about stress relief.

Dancing really does lift your spirits, according to a study that tested the effects of dancing on people with depression. Patients who participated in an upbeat group dance showed the fewest depression symptoms and the most vitality.

Dance is a great activity for those at risk for cardiovascular disease. People with heart failure who took up waltzing improved their heart health, breathing, and quality of life significantly compared to those who biked or walked on a treadmill for exercise, noted an Italian study.

Bored with your bicycle? A study in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology found that an exercise program of aerobic dance training is just as helpful for losing weight and increasing aerobic power as cycling and jogging.

If you are nervous about falling as you get older, some dance lessons might help ease your worries, according to a study in the Journal of Aging and Physical Activity that showed tango dancing can improve balance in aging adults. Dancing requires a lot of fast movement and good posture, so frequent dancing will help you stabilize and gain better control of your body. Dance is a weight-bearing activity, which builds bones. It's also "wonderful" for your upper body and strength.

Can’t seem to find your get-up-and-go? Taking a dance class might help. Research published in The Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition found that a weekly dance program could improve physical performance and increase energy levels among adults.

The studies noted above all were based on Partner Dances but the best part of Line Dancing is that it incorporates all aspects of the ballroom/partner dances. LINE DANCING is a “no partner required” dance class.  It’s so fun and something everyone can do –yes, “real men” line dance too!  It does, however, require some coordination, concentration and perseverance…but doesn’t everything in the beginning?    

A dance class is the perfect setting to make new friends and branch out socially.

So what are you waiting for …Live, Love and DANCE!

Keep Dancin’ Larry B

 

 

Vacation on the High Seas

As I have stated before the only true vacation, is a Cruise for me. No computers, no phones and only those on the ship with me can find me. If they look hard enough that is.  My friends can usually track me down, if there is music and dancing, I am there.

This past cruise we were back with our Florida family and cruise buddies. When we are together you can expect a lot of laughter and practical jokes. It is always someone’s birthday or anniversary while on board. Whether the true date or not, we have to celebrate while together.  This trip was no different but we did have an actually upcoming anniversary for our new friends Kathy and Karl.  Nancy, for some reason, blamed me for her surprise birthday celebration. Go figure.

This trip I took a Waltz Ballroom class since I had already done a class in Tennessee.  I was surprised when they started on the wrong foot, then realized that they were teaching international version.  Now you would think they would tailor class toward those on board, we sailed from Ft. Lauderdale and not from a European port.

The line dance class I took was taught by a girl from England so I felt that I was back in Stella’s Class in Tamarac. I took up the back row and the ladies back there wondered while I seemed to know the dance already.  “Waltz across Texas”. Try doing those turns on a rocking floor, looked more like a drunken sailor turn.

Part of our group did an extreme Obstacle Zip Line course in St. Marten and we all succeeded in completing the course. The best part was watching an elderly couple, Helen and her husband Frank both in their 80’s complete the course and Helen stating it was not part of their Bucket List because they had already completed that list. Now that is a couple you want to be when you grow up.

It was a great 8 days with old and new friends and as usual we have all scheduled our next cruise together. The destinations really do not matter as long as we are all together and making the most of our time together. Whether sitting in the Schooner lounge playing cards on sea days, dancing, working out, and playing in the casino. We all do our own thing and eventually hook up throughout the day.  We are more than friends, cruise buddies, we are family.

Keep Dancin’   Larry B

2013 Year of Dance

2013 is going to be my Year of Dance and I am so excited.  I have signed the contract with the City of Clarksville which is through August of this year then we will look at extending contract to a yearly basis. Of course, that will all depend on the success I have at establishing a great ongoing class program.

Am I worried, a little but I have faith that I am a great Instructor and that the students will spread the word that LB’s classes are fun, energetic and a great form of exercise.  I have already prepared a great variety of beginner/intermediate dances that encompass music from country to pop.  I will continue to watch the web for new dances that I feel will fit into this area. The one thing I have learned with teaching at the Clarksville Athletic Club is that Pop and Country are the two favorite genres.  I will see once the classes get going if I need to expand on that area.

I will be doing continued research to provide a great variety of great dances for the students. I will most likely pull what is popular in local clubs. I will continue to check out the most popular dances from the websites and dance classes around the country.  I want my students to be able to jump in at any club or class they happen upon.

I am now in negotiations with the City of Oak Grove, Kentucky to provide an International Line Dance program at their community center.  This would be a great location for a program due to the close proximity to Ft. Campbell Army Post. I feel we could offer a great program for the Military families in the area.  These negotiations are still ongoing at this time. I have proposed a free Introduction to Line Dance class to see what type of response we may be able to get on that side of the county.  I think we can pull students from neighboring towns like Hopkinsville, Guthrie and Pembroke by starting this program.

Yes, 2013 has been dubbed Larry B’s Year of Dance.  I encourage anyone visiting the area to drop in on a class and if you have any friends/family in the area to pass the word along that we are going to have a great year of dance in Clarksville, Tennessee.  See you on the Dance Floor

Keep Dancin’

LB

Dancing into 2013

It has been a great two months here in Clarksville, TN. We have moved into our new home and have everything completed as far as the house itself is concern.  We have also had our first visitors from Florida and we hope they had an enjoyable time at the Orchard Hills B & B.

I have been busy not only with work and setting up the house but have had a great gig at the Clarksville Athletic Club teaching Line Dancing. The last group that attended my classes has requested private classes which I will start holding on Tuesday evening at the house. We are going to utilize Paul’s half of the Man Cave for these private classes.  This should be a great experience and gives me the chance to learn new dances along with this group.

The newest group of students at the Athletic Club promise to be a lot of fun as well. I have a group of young ladies that are really into dancing.  My favorite is going to be a young lady about 10 years old that wears red high top tennis shoes with hot pink laces.  She was so much fun this week and of course, after class demonstrated her tumbling abilities as well doing back flips across the floor. Now I wonder if I can get that choreographed into a dance...

I am currently working with the Oak Grove, KY Community Center regarding establishing a class or classes with their program director. She wants to introduce more variety of classes to the local community there in Oak Grove.  I have also been in communication with the manager of the Electric Cowboy, the local night club.  I will continue to market the local clubs to establish a permanent location for my classes. 

It has been difficult to get established in a permanent location to conduct my dance class but I know that 2013 is going to be a promising year. I have students now that will spread the word and along with my continue persistence in promoting myself, LB’s Line Dance Class will become a reality.

Here is to a great 2013.

Keep Dancin’ LB

Entertaining -Community service

During this week of Jewish Holidays, I was reminded of many years gone by when I entertained for the Jewish War Veterans Group led by the late Murray Broder. Murray was the owner of Broder's Wholesale Tobacco and Candy Store in Worcester Maine. We were a group of entertainers that went out once a week to nursing homes, veteran's homes, hospitals, military bases and orphanages. No one could ever say no to Murray. He was one of the most generous people, I ever knew.

For 15 years, I worked beside other great entertainers such as Nils Hagberg, Walter Fields, Carol Zannotti, The Gaslows, The Nadeau Sisters, Marion Rittaco, Steve Colombo, Andre, the Magician, Lilian Sedaris and Jerry Felicetti(my Dad), just to name a few of the many great talents that gave up their time to bring joy to others.

The audience's faces would light up at each show. Murray brought joy to all ethnic groups, including the Nazareth home for boys, St. Ann's Orphanage and others.  I even remember the nuns at these facilities having a great time at these shows as well. 

Many a Christmas day were devoted to doing 3 or 4 shows at several locations. Of course, Murray supplied the goodies to all and he showed his appreciation to the entertainers by treating us all at the Broadway Deli on Water Street.

It was so much fun and so many fond memories of those times, working with so many great talents and being able to bring joy and happiness to so many. Many that had served our country and it was our turn to give back to them. 

Till next time. Ms. Honey

I thank Ms. Honey for her contributions to my weekly blog. Her experiences and stories are always an inspiration to me.  I learn something new about my dear friend with each article.

Keep Dancing  LB

It Is Never Too Late

I recently saw a post in Facebook from a friend that felt it was too late to achieve a dream. This from a talented young lady with two small kids felt it was too late to achieve a dream. I immediately responded that it was never too late to strive for something you truly love to do.

I know this to be true. I always loved dancing and establishing my own class once we moved to TN was a dream. Sept 10, 2012 that dream will be a reality. I was fortunate enough to meet someone by chance that got me into the Clarksville Athletic Club. I now have a three month gig with the possibility to move this to a full schedule with the club.

This also gave me a great lead with the Montgomery County Parks & Recreation department. Now I have another opportunity to further establish my dance classes.  Possibilities will continue to present themselves as long as I am diligent in achieving my goal.  It is never too late.

Building a new house to our specification was another dream that I never thought would be obtained. Now it too is being achieved and we take possession August 31, 2012 of our new home. It is never too late.

Going back to a gym and sticking to regular regiment was something I did not think I would ever do again. Yet I am and doing it with Paul just makes it even better. We are enjoying it greatly and have even lost 10 pounds each.  It is never too late.

Getting involved with local sports was never a dream but a very pleasant addition to our life. We have become the softball team supporters for Cindy’s team. We are regulars now at the ball park for not only her team but to also support her as an umpire for the other leagues.  It is never too late.

So never give up on your dreams, never give up on new experiences. Yesterday is set in stone and cannot be changed. Tomorrow is not and holds all possibilities. You simply have to be open minded enough to see them as they approach. Take a leap of faith in yourself. It is never too late...

Till Next time…Larry B

 

Dance and Theatrical, Oh My!

The Ellen Valinski Story continues…I opened my first store in Shrewsbury MA. Next to the famous Spags. It was a fantastic location.  I did this right after closing all my Dance Studios and the store was called “Honey’s Theatrical and Dance Wear Shoppe. I specialized in ready-made costumes/theatrical make-up/custom made costumes/all types of dance footwear and theatrical accessories.  I also had a rental department for all masquerade costumes.

The first thing I had to do was reach out to the many dance teachers that I had been previous competitor. I called all of them and asked if I could give each and every one of them my personal attention by going to their studios to measure each student for their needs (leotards, shoes, costumes). Most took advantage of the service and this was a great start for my new shoppe. I then contacted all the Theatrical groups, high schools and local skating clubs and offered similar services and advertised recital planning and designing.

One of my former students Gary Cipro became my designer and window trimmer, he was great at everything.  Word soon got around to many entertainers such as singers, comedians, exotic dancers and female impersonators, we soon had more work than Gary handle. We would set up appointments in the evening for all these adult performers, strippers and all. I realized then that I had to go to New York to purchase lots of feathers. I went to the Avenue of Americas from which I found had the most wholesale trim and feathers. I went alone at first to introduce myself to these companies. Some would not even see me because I was a small new store. I finally met a wonderful old man at a large company who must have thought I was crazy thinking $250 was enough to purchase from him or anyone wholesale feathers.

He sat with me first and explained how to buy feathers; by the pound he said not the piece. He got a huge plastic bag and filled it with the most beautiful feathers, boas, ostrich, marabou, peacock and many more. He then showed me how to make my own feather boas, by twisting small one into expensive larger feathers. That was a real lesson in how to make more money with the product.

He also showed me the beautiful headpieces, which he designed for the Rockettes and Fans for Sally Rand. We kept our business going with each other till he passed away a year later. What knowledge he had in his profession and I was always grateful for his kindness and support.

I also went to wig companies, at the time these were mostly owned by Koreans. Once again a new adventure for me, for they were mostly in old buildings with gated elevators. It was very scary to have to go up and ring a bell for access with my few hundred dollars tucked in my underwear. I got some great deals on clown and character wigs.  This was just the beginning of a wonder new part of my life.

More to come… searching my memories… Ms. Honey….

75 Years of Memories

Guest Author this week is Ellen Valinski.

It's hard to believe that I celebrated my 75^nd Birthday this July. With that many years, I have memories that could fill a book. I thought I would put some of my most favorite memories to paper and share with everyone.

Starting my own Honey Feliceti's Dance Studio at 16 years of age was just the beginning of a long career in business. After school every day I went to my small studio on Front Street in Worcester, MA. I only had 27 students in my first year. My parents helped out, so I was able to pay rent and phone. I would Baby Sit at night on weekends to pay for advertising. I was involved in all my high school shows, which was also great advertising. Dancing in shows for many groups such as Jewish War Veterans, Sons of Italy, Local T.V., U.S.O., Army hospitals, orphanages and so many others.

I was 18years of age when I married my soul mate Andy, who just happen to be 7 years my senior. He helped me so much with my business. I had over 100 students by this time, making my life a little easier.  My studio was now the whole 4^th floor of the Front Street location over Paris Curtain Shop. Business just kept getting better and better each year. Also now being old enough to perform in the good old fashion nite clubs on weekends, I did not need any further financial help from my family.

Dancing in the nite clubs was so much fun. I was entertaining with people like Totie Fields, Vaughn Monroe, Smiling Jack Smith, Jack Carter, Jill Corey, Walter Fields, The Nadeau Sisters, Jerry Lucci, and so many great musicians.

Next great memory was the birth of my first son, Andy Jr. Now Mom and Dad were back as baby sitters, without them my business would not have continued to grow to over 250 students. 

As I continued teaching and dancing at nite clubs, along came son number 2, Brian and then my daughter, Andrea.  Andy and I moved into a custom built house, across from Mom and Dad, the perfect baby sitters. Business was good, I had 4 teachers including myself, two other studios in different towns and over 400 students. 

Early Urban Renewal meant my 4^th floor studio was to be demolished but the new studio was a great step toward continued success. The location was a former nite club with mirrors everywhere and full of great memories of past entertainers. My wonderful husband, Andy replaced the carpet with a  wonderful hard wood floor. I had over 600 students, a receptionist, 6 teachers and a great old piano player, Gert. What a gem she was.

I had Honey Felicitti's Dance Studio for 25 years before ending that part of my business career.  Just wait till I tell you about my next business...

Till then, Ms. Honey