Dance to Exercise, Create Friendships and Challenge your Brain

When Beth Garrett is not helping women dress for success, you can find her out on the dance floor! Today Beth shares what dancing has done for her life and hopefully inspires you to get out there and give it a try! If not the Carolina Shag then any form of dance that fills you with joy! 

 After retiring from corporate America, Beth decided to take up dancing. She’s always wanted to dance and one day someone invited her to dance and after one lesson, she’s never looked back!  Today Beth shares her passion for dancing and is encouraging us all to get out, be curious and try new things!  Who knows, maybe line dancing is in your future!  

Beth shares for the listeners that her line dancing is primarily the Carolina Shag which originated in Myrtle Beach, SC and it’s a beautiful dance.  Think of dancing to any four-count music like:  Under the Boardwalk.  ( take a listen ) 

After Beth’s move to Roanoke, Virginia she felt isolated and lonely and she didn’t have a lot of friends. It was after she started going to the dance events that she met people that have now become her very best friends!  Beth loves that dancing provides you with a sense of community.  

For a lot of women that would like to dance but don’t have a partner, line dancing is a great option because it doesn’t require a partner, and you never feel left behind.  You can feel included and make friendships along the way.  

Not only is line dancing inclusive, but it challenges your brain.   If you choose, you can continue to learn new dances which help you utilize your memory!  Dancing is a great way to get out, challenge your memory, and get some exercise! 

How do you find someplace to learn dancing or start to get involved in a community? Beth shares that a good place to start is your Parks and Recreation Department which may offer classes.  You may also want to check Facebook or ask your friends if they have heard of any groups.  

Beth tackles the fear someone may feel going to an event on their own and how to get over that hurdle because she’s done it too!  She offers some insight, so if you are on the fence about going to an event on your own perhaps this will help you make the leap.  

Beth and her husband are now taking their RV to the road and attending beach music events in their geography!  They  have made a lot more friendships with other couples doing the same with camping and attending the events which was very surprising to her the following in the line dancing community. 

Dancing also helps Beth maintain her flexibility and help with her weight management.  Some extra bonuses that she has enjoyed along the way.  

Beth is now helping a DJ grow his audience! She created a Facebook page and is now teaching line dancing to others with his music on Tuesday evening!  I’m sure Beth never thought that she would be teaching the dance but she finds it fun and rewarding!  

I hope that Beth has inspired you to dust off your dancing shoes and get out and find some dance moves that you’ll enjoy!  Share with the community if you are now dancing!