Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective

Have you ever felt like the last decade flew by in a blur? You’re not alone. As adult life settles into a routine, our subjective experience of time tends to accelerate. We crave novelty, a deeper presence in our own lives, and a more meaningful way to connect with the world and the people around us. What if there was an activity that could not only get you moving but also enrich your mind, body, and spirit in ways you never expected? At Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective, we believe partner dancing is a powerful, scientifically-backed solution. This article reveals five surprising promises we make to every new dancer who joins our community—promises that go far beyond simple exercise to offer a profound enhancement to your life. 1. We Promise to Slow Down Time It’s a counter-intuitive fact: as our lives become more routine, our brains form fewer unique memories. This "thins out" our memory load, making the years feel shorter in retrospect. The most effective way...

We often hear that communication is the key to a great relationship. But what if the secret to a deeper connection isn’t about talking at all, but moving? According to neuroscience, partner dancing does more than just get you off the couch—it actually rewires your brains to be more in sync. Here is the science behind why taking a dance class might be the best thing you can do for your relationship. It Creates a "Chemical Cocktail" for Bonding When you dance with your partner, you aren't just learning steps; you are triggering powerful neurochemistry. The Trust Hormone: The sustained physical contact required in partner dancing—like holding hands or placing a hand on the back—is a primary trigger for oxytocin. This "bonding hormone" promotes deep feelings of trust, calm, and affection. The Reward System: When you successfully master a new move together, your brains release dopamine, the chemical associated with pleasure and motivation. Over time, your brain beg...

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...

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 ...

When you think of the Carolina Shag, you probably picture a warm summer night, some cool "beach music," and a couple gliding effortlessly across a dance floor. And while that image is a big part of the shag's appeal, it only tells half the story. The truth is, the shag is a much more complex and unique dance than it gets credit for. It's not just a simpler version of swing; it’s a living museum of dance history and a masterclass in partner communication. A Hidden History in Every Step Digging into the shag's history is like finding a hidden message in a bottle. What we call "the shag" today actually started as something else entirely—the Carolina Jitterbug . In the 1940s, as the fast-paced big band swing music of the era began to slow down, so did the dancers. The bouncy, energetic steps of the jitterbug transformed into the smooth, low-to-the-ground shuffle we know today. But those old moves never really went away. They just got a makeover. Take the Boo...

Do you love music and want to learn some fun new moves? Get ready to groove! Underhill's Swing and Shag Dance Collective ( www.swingandshagdancecollective.com ), in partnership with the War Memorial Cultural Arts & Community Center, a valued hub for arts and community engagement in Powhatan , is thrilled to announce FREE beginner Swing dance classes starting on Monday, September 22nd, 2025! Whether you have two left feet or are looking for a fun way to get active, this welcoming and energetic 6-week series is the perfect place to learn the foundational steps of lively Swing dancing. The Carolina Shag, a smooth and stylish dance popular in the Carolinas, is actually a derivative of Swing. This beginner Swing class is a fantastic first step on a journey to mastering either (or both!) of these classic American dance styles. Our experienced and enthusiastic instructors, Roger & Denise Underhill, are dedicated to creating a fun and supportive learning environment for everyone....

That sudden widening of the eyes, the dawning smile, the almost audible "click" in understanding – every dance teacher cherishes witnessing those "aha!" moments in their students, regardless of the learning space. Whether guiding a beginner through their first steps in a community hall or challenging an experienced dancer with a new concept in a park pavilion, these flashes of insight are not only rewarding to observe but are also fundamental to the learning process. Intriguingly, neuroscience is beginning to shed light on what happens in the brain during these breakthroughs. As reported in a PsyPost article, “Neuroscientists discover how “aha” moments rewire the brain to enhance memory” , these moments are associated with significant neural activity that can actually rewire the brain to enhance memory and understanding. But these neurological sparks don't happen in a vacuum. In the dance learning environment, they are often ignited by specific teaching approac...