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A bit about Scottish Country Dancing ….
Scottish Country Dancing is popular the world over. Regional variations do exist but the standardization of the oldest and many of the more well known modern dances by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) has meant that 90% of dances learnt in one place can be danced anywhere in the world from Germany to Japan —it can and does provide a social connection beyond language, age or culture.
Scottish Country Dancing has a long history—at least 300 years ago dances, some of which are still performed today, were being created and enjoyed, and this hasn't stopped; even now dances (and their music) are being created to celebrate events, people, places and life in general.
Unlike many other Western social dance forms there are only 2 main types of step, and you don’t dance close to your partner (which means that your toes are usually safe!) - the skill is in learning the formations and remembering which way you are going. Some dances are fast and frantic, others are slow and stately — some are easy enough to dance at the first try, others require weeks of hilarious confusion before coming together (if they ever do!). Dancing provides exercise both physical and mental, and a sense of achievement without ever being less than great fun. It can take years to learn all there is to learn, but 1/2 an hour to start enjoying it!
Scottish Country Dancing is popular the world over. Regional variations do exist but the standardization of the oldest and many of the more well known modern dances by the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) has meant that 90% of dances learnt in one place can be danced anywhere in the world from Germany to Japan —it can and does provide a social connection beyond language, age or culture.
Scottish Country Dancing has a long history—at least 300 years ago dances, some of which are still performed today, were being created and enjoyed, and this hasn't stopped; even now dances (and their music) are being created to celebrate events, people, places and life in general.
Unlike many other Western social dance forms there are only 2 main types of step, and you don’t dance close to your partner (which means that your toes are usually safe!) - the skill is in learning the formations and remembering which way you are going. Some dances are fast and frantic, others are slow and stately — some are easy enough to dance at the first try, others require weeks of hilarious confusion before coming together (if they ever do!). Dancing provides exercise both physical and mental, and a sense of achievement without ever being less than great fun. It can take years to learn all there is to learn, but 1/2 an hour to start enjoying it!
Dancing has been an important part of the St Andrew Group’s activities since its inception as the St Andrew Society of Paphos more than 20 years ago and the group has been lucky to have many excellent and dedicated dance teachers throughout its lifetime.
In the past couple of years the number and enthusiasm of newcomers to the class has warranted the resurrection of a ‘beginners’ class previously just prior to the Tuesday class, but now as a separate session on Monday afternoons. Numbers fluctuate throughout the year, but there is always a core group perfecting their steps or practising the ‘figures’ with varying degrees of success but equal enjoyment! Other classes are held whenever there is a demand, including occasional Advanced classes - see the links above for more informion.
Recent years have seen an increase in interest in Scottish Country Dancing world wide, partly because its health benefits are starting to be recognised. Scottish dancing has been concluded to be beneficial in preventing bone density loss, improving memory function, maintaining mental and physical fitness and combating depression and dementia —but ask most people why they do it and they’ll say it’s because it’s “brilliant fun”. Many of the St Andrew Group events involve dancing and dancers are welcome everywhere in the world so whether you have two left feet and were banned from the class at school or have danced all your life we would love to see you.
In the past couple of years the number and enthusiasm of newcomers to the class has warranted the resurrection of a ‘beginners’ class previously just prior to the Tuesday class, but now as a separate session on Monday afternoons. Numbers fluctuate throughout the year, but there is always a core group perfecting their steps or practising the ‘figures’ with varying degrees of success but equal enjoyment! Other classes are held whenever there is a demand, including occasional Advanced classes - see the links above for more informion.
Recent years have seen an increase in interest in Scottish Country Dancing world wide, partly because its health benefits are starting to be recognised. Scottish dancing has been concluded to be beneficial in preventing bone density loss, improving memory function, maintaining mental and physical fitness and combating depression and dementia —but ask most people why they do it and they’ll say it’s because it’s “brilliant fun”. Many of the St Andrew Group events involve dancing and dancers are welcome everywhere in the world so whether you have two left feet and were banned from the class at school or have danced all your life we would love to see you.