Hi Everyone!

[cha]

I am a social dancer who has been dancing for three years.  It's been one of the best things I've done for myself.  I'm 60 now - got a late start *grin*.  I love reading the posts on the forum because I learn quite a lot.  I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone.

Regards,
cha

[phoenix13]

Hi cha!  Welcome.

[elisedance]

Hi cha - perhaps you could share how you got started?  Its funny in retrospect, but I filled out a form at ballroom dance booth in a crafts fair!

[QPO]

Welcome Cha look forward to learning more about you and your love of dancing.

[phoenix13]

Hi cha - perhaps you could share how you got started?  Its funny in retrospect, but I filled out a form at ballroom dance booth in a crafts fair!

That sounds like a great new topic idea.

[cha]

I'm a 60 year old woman in long term recovery: 12 years sober in November.   At about the 9 year mark - 2010 I think - I realized that I had no life after work so I looked around for something to do that would involve getting out socially but didn't involve drinking.  So many of the social "meetup" type activities centered around happy hours that weren't that much fun for me.   I saw an ad for a beginners ballroom dance class close by: a half hour lesson and social for beginners for $10.00.  From the very first class, I was hooked.  It's been the very first "exercise" in my life that I've been able to stick with because I love it so much.  And I get to go to socials (LOL when I can find them - whole other topic), get dressed up occasionally, and have a "ball" without being around alcohol.  The "high" that I experience when dancing totally eclipses any alleged good time I had while drinking.  And ballroom dancing sets my soul free.  I wish there was a way I could encourage others in recovery to give it a try.  And now that I'm older, I'm all for encouraging seniors to get out and dance too.  I do struggle with physical issues that sometimes interfere - feet, ankles, and legs that just don't want to cooperate.   I make adjustments, rest when I have to, and have no intention of stopping any time soon.

I love the music of the 40s, 50s, and early 60s, and the ballrooms and dance halls that flourished during those years.

[phoenix13]

Wow, cha. 

That is inspirational.    I am so glad that you found dance.