Country Western Dance

Though dancing can deliver exercise, fun and a great social opportunity, inexperienced dancers can be intimidated by the intricacies of ballet, tap or ballroom. Country-western dance--also known as line dance--can bridge that gap. You can find many different country-western line dances for people of all levels. Bars and social clubs across the nation offer lessons, followed by a night of dancing.

• Do the "C.C. Shuffle." For counts 1-4, step forward toward the right corner of the room with your right, left, right, and touch the ball of your left foot next to your right with no weight on it. For counts 5-8, step back toward the back left corner, with your left, right, left, and touch the ball of your right foot next to your left with no weight on it. Refer to the You Tube video in the Reference section for a visual demonstration.
• Repeat Step 2 for the next eight counts, stepping back toward the right corner behind you with the right foot and then completing the four-step pattern as above. Step forward toward the left corner with left foot and then complete the four-step pattern once again.
• Cut the four-step pattern in half, making it a two-step pattern. For counts 1-2, step forward toward the right corner with your right, and touch the ball of your left foot next to the right, keeping the weight on your right. For counts 3-4, step back on your left toward the back corner, and touch the ball of your right foot next to your left, keeping the weight on your left foot. For counts 5-8. repeat this entire step in reverse starting with your right foot back toward the right corner behind you, touching your left foot next to it, and then stepping forward on your left toward the left corner and touching the right foot next to it.
• Touch your right heel in front of you for counts 1-2. Touch your right toe behind you for counts 3-4. Heel forward count 5, toe back count 6. Touch your toe out to the side for count 7, and lift your right knee and turn a quarter turn toward your right shoulder, for count 8. Begin the entire dance for the top, now facing a new wall. Continue repeating the dance facing each wall until the song ends.
• Try a two-step. Most dance halls or clubs that offer country western dancing, will teach the two-step. Step back on your right if you are a woman, forward with your left if you are a man, then alternate feet. Use two quick steps and two slow. If you partner with someone, do the dance in a circle around the outer rim of the floor. Refer to the You Tube video in the Reference section for a visual demonstration.