By Nanette Wiser
STEP IT UP Kick off the new year on the dance floor for fun exercise and mingling. Dance is more than fun; it’s therapeutic. One of the benefits of dancing is an increased sense of vitality – an awakening and renewal of one’s life energy. Studies have shown that dance interventions by trained professionals can decrease depression, improve mood, and strengthen positive feelings and intimacy with your dance partner.
Show off your moves at Ruby Elixir’s, Good Night John Boy, Floridian Social Club, The Ale & The Witch, Jimmy B’s and others. Better yet, lindyhop on the ballroom dancing craze by taking a class at Fred Astaire Dance Studio, Suncoast Ballroom, Paramount Ballroom in Dolphin Village, Hip Expression or Corinne Rungo’s Dance Studio in Clearwater. Once the territory of the elite, social dances like the waltz, tango, foxtrot, cha cha, salsa, swing, and jitterbug are back in vogue. At Gulfport Casino Ballroom, you can learn salsa or take ballroom dance lessons with Carol Barker on Tuesdays noon-3pm with a noon-1:30pm beginner waltz class, followed by waltz and dancing. ($15/admission; $25/couple). Paramount Ballroom offers Argentinian Tango Sat.-Sun. and Fitness Powered by Dance Mondays.
NURTURE YOUR BRAIN Research indicates that lifelong learners thrive mentally, whether it’s a new hobby, musical instrument, language, sport or better yet, a class. In Paradise, there are many places for active minds to roam. You can sign up for a provocative class at OLLI and ASPEC or enjoy lectures at the Museum of Fine Arts, the James Museum, The Dali, Studio@620, St. Petersburg Museum of History, Tombolo Books or enjoy virtual live opera and international films at Eckerd College. You can take acting classes (American Stage, Eugenie Bondurant’s class at Green Light Cinema), art classes at the Morean or Creative Clay and give in to your guitar fantasy at The School for Rock in downtown St. Pete. The School of Rock’s Adult Program is for 18+ students of all levels and includes one weekly private lesson and a weekly group rehearsal. Every student is placed in a band of fellow adults and then assigned specific songs as a way of learning key music concepts and skills. Adult students then take the stage to perform at a live show.
DRY OUT, SLIM DOWN In Dry January, we relinquish alcohol and find a substitute drink (wine glass with water that’s infused with fruit or flavored sparkling water) followed by giving up an unhealthy food high in fat or sugar after for Lent. After February’s Fat Tuesday traditional king cake, jambalaya, or a crawfish boil, will you say no to chocolate, pasta or pie combined with your new exercise regime? Pick one, or three.
MINDFUL MOVEMENT Join The Body Electric Yoga Company every first Wednesday evening for a FREE yoga class at St. Pete Pier. This class is offered free by The Body Electric Yoga Company and The Body Electric Athletic Company, your St. Pete home for mindful movement. Donations will be accepted, and proceeds will benefit a different local group each month. Your instructor will announce before class starts whose work you can support if you choose. Bring water & yoga mat. Check The Centre of St. Pete Beach for Karla Hollan’s yoga classes, including aerial yoga. Or take a yoga on the beach class in Indian Rocks, Madeira Beach, or St. Pete Beach.
