By Lauren Schiavone
Hometown Weekly Staff
Betty Hood has been teaching ballroom dance for over twenty years. Working primarily from her studio at home, Hood makes time to teach local community groups the art of dance — namely, the Needham seniors at the Center at the Heights.
She recently found herself at the Center last Tuesday for one of these classes.
Hood took time with the basics on the day. Dancers practiced steps and worked with partners to understand timing and rhythm. The low-stress dance class allowed seniors to make friends easily and sneak some exercise into their weeks.
The Center at the Heights provided plentiful space for dancers to spread out and review song basics of swing. Being the second week in a series with Hood, seniors went home and practiced steps from the week prior and were ready for a routine on Tuesday afternoon.
Hood circulated around the room, focusing equal attention on each pair of dancers and addressing concerns they may have. Seniors were ready to add on steps, and proceeded with a “tuck,” from the open position. A tuck involves a rocking motion with a leaning turn against a dancer’s hand. Betty took the followers to the wall and worked on rocking back on heels and pivoting. Followers used the momentum of the hand as a push. Leaders provided a wall for followers to turn at shoulder-level, stepping aside and allowing the partner to turn as they turned inward. “The connection is what’s so important,” Hood urged.
Seniors worked on momentum and not anticipating moves or sequences, but feeling the energy. From the cha-cha to the foxtrot, staying in the moment and excited about dance is a great approach.
An energetic couple dancing since 2002, Victor and Yvonne have learned many techniques over the years and are still learning. “We wanted to have fun,” they explained. “We dance with groups and go out at weddings. We learned and it was easy. We started with line dancing and now know about nine dances.”
“It’s my passion,” Hood shared. “The challenge is teaching different levels and abilities.” Working with seniors for over ten years, and teaching dance over twenty, she has kept the passion for dance through it all.
“It’s my passion,” she reiterated. “It’s my happy place. I’m happy when I’m dancing.”
Keep an eye on CATH’s schedule for more dancing classes with Betty Hood.
