Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

Ever feel like you just click with one dance partner, but struggle with another? It’s not just about the music you hear—it’s about the connection you feel. A new study in Frontiers in Virtual Reality dives into this, showing how the sense of touch can totally change your dance experience. More Than Just Sound The study, titled " Feeling the music: exploring emotional effects of auditory-tactile musical experiences ", found that adding vibrations to music made people feel happier and less anxious than just listening to the sound alone. The researchers used special devices to turn music into touch, with actuators on the hands, chest, and ankles. This proved that our brains don't just listen to music—they combine what we hear with what we feel to create a richer, more powerful experience. Think of it like a live concert, where you don’t just hear the bass, you feel it in your bones. The Secret of a Strong Lead This is the key to a great dance partnership. The study chose to...

For too long, society has promoted the belief that aging equates to a steady deterioration of physical and mental capabilities—what I like to call the "long slow route" of aging . This negative stereotype can feel like a self-fulfilling prophecy, often leading us to believe we are less capable as we get older. But what if this pervasive idea of inevitable decline is fundamentally wrong? The key to unlocking renewed vitality and proving this old idea incorrect lies in the exhilarating, complex, and joyful activity of dancing . Dance is not merely a hobby; it’s a powerhouse activity that strategically works your mind, body, and spirit, paving the way for a vibrant new beginning at any age. Laughter lines are a roadmap of a life well-lived, and a beautiful testament to a friendship that's still dancing strong. Step Into Strength: Guarding Against Falls and Frailty Dance directly counters the physical limitations associated with the "long slow route of aging." It’s ...

Hey Dancers! We've all been there: You're in a workshop, the instructor demonstrates a beautiful new pattern, and it looks so smooth and natural. But then, you try it, and movements to one side just... stick . Your brain feels like it's fighting itself, and that "simple" left turn or right rotation feels like learning a whole new language. If this sounds familiar, I'm here to tell you: it's not you, it's your brain! And understanding a bit about how your brain is wired can unlock a whole new level of learning and enjoyment on the dance floor. My "Aha!" Moment: The Left-Side Labyrinth For years, I noticed a distinct pattern in my own dance journey. New patterns or complex movements that involved going to my right felt intuitive and clicked almost immediately. But anything requiring a sustained movement or sequence to my left ? It felt clunky, disconnected, and took three times the effort to commit to memory. I used to get so frustrated, but ...

Intermediate Carolina Shag: A 6-Week Journey Intermediate Carolina Shag Dance Your Way to a Sharper Mind & Effortless Flow 🧠 Enhance Brain Health Connect dance practice with scientifically proven benefits for memory, plasticity, and cognitive function. 💃 Master the Dance Deepen your mastery of Shag's smooth style, intricate footwork, and partner connection. 😊 Find Your Flow Cultivate musicality and improvisation to experience the exhilarating "Flow State" on the dance floor. The 6-Week Journey to Mastery ...

Ever hit the dance floor, thinking you know "East Coast Swing," only to encounter a completely different vibe? You're not alone! While often lumped under one name, East Coast Swing actually has a fascinating duality: the polished, structured ballroom version, and the relaxed, soulful "street" version, embodied beautifully by dances like the iconic Philly Bop and Carolina Shag. Let's dive in and unpack these two distinct, yet related, worlds of swing. The Ballroom Belle: East Coast Swing When you sign up for a typical swing class at a dance studio, you’re most likely learning Ballroom East Coast Swing . This style emerged in the 1940s, primarily as a simplified, standardized version of the more complex and improvisational Lindy Hop. Its goal was to make swing accessible to a broader social dancing public and suitable for formal ballroom settings. The dance is known for its "rock step, triple step, triple step" rhythm, with a clear, repetitive patter...