Whether it’s a formal class or a special event, burning up the dance floor is positive movement that affects people’s physical forms, mental strength and social ties.
In the swing
Carmen Passi, 75, and his wife Rosa Passi, 74, of Lemont know this to be true. The couple has built a reputation for being passionate and sought-after West Coast Swing specialists.
West Coast Swing, Rosa explains, originated in 1940s California and was originally called Western Swing. Performed in a linear slot formation, the dance follows a pattern of six and eight beats and can be done to blues and contemporary music as well as other musical genres. The dance has grown in worldwide popularity.
Carmen and other members founded The Chicago Rebels Swing Club in 1993. Dancers congregate every other Saturday at 8 p.m. for basic and intermediate lessons and open dances from 9 p.m. to midnight at Centre at North Park in Franklin Park. The club attracts members from young teens to their 70s.
Every other Saturday, the Passis pack their dancing shoes and travel to the club to execute their steps and help newcomers. Additionally, the couple swings over to Downers Sand Club Sports Bar & Grill in Downers Grove on Wednesdays and May I Have This Dance, a Chicago ballroom, on Sundays.
Rosa says that people who are serious about West Coast Swing must attend workshops and classes. While some dance as a hobby, others become seasoned competitors.
“It’s a lead and follow dance where you go back and forth,” she says. “The gentleman or the partner leads and the other partner follows. You have to be on time with the music and not make the breaks of every song.”
Carmen, a competition judge for 23 years, explains that West Coast Swing can be an intricate dance form.
“We’re doing six-, eight- and 12-count patterns,” he says. “When you are a beginner, you need to stay to the protocol and rhythm to the music being played. However, when you are at an advanced level, you can improvise. We teach patterns, centering, posture and how to strengthen your core — basically how to look and dance.”
“You’re looking at your partner through the whole dance,” Rosa adds. “You’re feeling the rhythm. I’m more musical so I have to feel the groove in the music.”
Carmen opines that popularity of shows such as “Dancing with the Stars” contributes public interest in their group.
“We have young members and there’s a lot of singles,” he says. “It just keeps growing.”
Dancing brought the Passis together when they first dated.
“We’ve been married for 54 years and dancing is a shared interest from the very beginning,” Rosa says. “Dancing keeps us close because on the way home you’re talking about steps and people who’ve competed. There’s a lot of conversation. Oftentimes, as you get older some people have a lack of conversation.”
Carmen adds, “You get to meet people and they invite you to dance or karaoke parties. You could do something every night in dance. We get called every night to go somewhere.”
Dance tonic
At Arlington Heights Senior Center, some residents enjoy dance in a different and adventurous way.
The center offers BeMoved, a dance class that provides easy therapeutic movements that concentrate on the upper and lower body. Instructors incorporate different dance styles such as disco, Bollywood, theatrical jazz and Latin rhythms.
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Mari Jo Irbe, a BeMoved certified instructor, has been teaching the class for almost five years.
She describes it as a “dance fitness experience for people of all movement abilities.”
“What is there not to like about dance?” she says. “Everybody loves to dance!”
Breaking down the parts, Irbe explains that the warm-up combines breath and movement through choreographed, artistic sequences to activate core strength and balance while improving flexibility and coordination. The genre section uses continuous dance combinations and then a cool down. The results are balance in mind, body and soul and rejuvenation.
Irbe lists benefits such as developing core strength, increased flexibility and improvement in coordination and balance, possible stress reduction and an increase in cognitive ability.
She learns much from her students as she teaches BeMoved at other locations.
“This class allows for patience, clarity and fun,” she says. “But mostly, I see the joy the dancers experience when they take my class. I like to think that it is my small way of giving back.”
The right steps
Dr. Tiana Carrillo, a family medicine physician with Elmhurst Memorial Medical Group, sees many benefits to dancing than just perfecting techniques.
Dancing is an excellent form of exercise for older adults, she says. “Not only is it fun and entertaining but it’s a great cardio routine that effectively gets the blood and heart pumping. It is an activity that can be done in groups and as a hobby. Therefore, you’re more likely to do it if it feels manageable and less like a chore.”
Additionally, she says that the activity helps improve strength, muscle function, balance and flexibility.
“All of these are important to prevent injuries, help with arthritis pain and decrease fall risks,” she says. “It minimizes the risk and helps control conditions such as heart disease, stroke, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and kidney disease. It also helps promote healthy behavior such as controlling weight and eating healthy.”
Being physical is only one part of the big picture. Mentally speaking, Carrillo says dancing with others presents opportunities for social interaction, personal development, well-being and happiness as well as increasing brain activity and agility.
Before beginning such a class, Carrillo recommends that people should read about the type of dance and speed.
“If no previous experience, start in a beginners course until you develop more agility and endurance,” she says. “You need to pace yourself at a level you feel comfortable. Also make sure to notify the instructors of any physical limitations or restrictions. It is always a great idea to notify your general practitioners.”