Stay Cool and Fit this Summer with Square Dancing

For many it's difficult to gain motivation to exercise. It can be even more difficult with the hot weather.

For a cool alternative, check out the Bronxville Women Club located at 135 Midland Ave. There, on Thursdays from now until August 12 between the hours of 2-4 p.m., participants can learn to square dance with a pro.

Square dancing is one of the many new ideas and concepts during the summer for the Bronxville Women's Club, according to Joyce Balint, BWC member and summer events coordinator.

"After renovations to our great space, we decided to do more activities in the club.  Due to budget cuts, it was proposed to open up the events to the public, and not just to club members," she said.

The instructor of the class, Janet Folchetti was introduced to the club by Joyce Balint, her mandolin teacher, and decided to volunteer her skilled expertise and time.

"I am a physical education teacher by trade, at Nathan Hale Middle School in Norwalk, CT," Folchetti said. "I did a unit on square dancing with my students in my classes. I shared that experience with Joyce and she thought it might be a nice thing to do at the club. I've been square dancing on and off for the past 15-20 years. I teach it at school, a few times at my church, at a few different functions and things at my house like barbeques and get-togethers."

The response and feedback from class participants has been overwhelmingly great.

"Most people like it.  They are a bit lost at first and fumbling around a bit,' she said.  "But after you get the basic steps down and run through it, you get a success feeling and motivation, they want to go on and do more. It's a lot of fun. It's a great mixer type of activity where you get to meet different people and interact with others."

This reporter even participated in a few rounds of square dance. Janet was right.  Since it was the first lesson I was a bit lost as she called out the steps: round to the right and left, do-si-do your corner and your partner, and promenade your partner. But I quick caught on and was motivated.

Square dancing is for everyone—both the young, young adult, middle-aged and the young at heart.  I spoke with two of the youngest dancers in the square: Emma King, age 10 and her sister Isabel Hartmann, 8, both of Yonkers, NY.

"We started two weeks ago. We love it and get a lot of exercise," Emma said."Every Thursday, I always ask my stepdad if we are going to square dancing.  This makes me want to take more dance classes like tap and ballet because I used to take them when I was little."

Isabel chimed in, "My favorite call (a square dance move) is promenade, where the groom (boy) takes me around the whole square back to home."

Square dancing provides great low impact exercise.

Kathy Kyriakakos, executive vice president of the Bronxville Women's Club, said, "It's a great workout and it's lots of fun.  This is my first class.  I can pick up the step pretty quickly and follow other people in the square.  The leader or the caller is repeating some of the directions so I can hear them more easily. We're having fun. It's good exercise. It's not too stressful on the joints or anything so you get the aerobic workout without the impact part. Make sure to wear light clothes and comfy shoes.  Even though we have the air conditioner on, you get hot from the movements."

Joyce agreed, "This is my third class, I will definitely do it again. I am not an exercise person so this is perfect for me.  It's nothing more than fast walking.  My husband was here last week.  He has some mild arthritis, and he found he was moving so much better afterward."

Classes are $10 each or $50 for the series, snacks and drinks are included.

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