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Line Dancing is the 2nd most popular extra curricular activity in the World, using all rhythms of music. Originally, the most popular music used for line dancing is country music, now there are thousands of dances for Latin, soul and funk songs, etc. Line dancing is healthy for body and mind, it makes an hour fly by without any stress, and you can learn new steps and make new friends while staying fit. It is easy-to-follow, fun-to-do, fun-to-learn, and does not require a partner.

Line Dance is a formation dance where a group of people stands in a line or in lines, and they all execute the same dance moves. In a smaller group there may be only one line, but usually there are several parallel lines, one behind the other. In this parallel lines formation the dancers dance in a synchronized manner, but independently of each other. There are usually no moves that require any interaction between the dancers.

Line Dance is a choreographed style of dancing. That means, when you step out a line dance, you are following a sequence of steps that have been conceived by the choreographer or choreographers. Remembering the step sequences is actually more important than trying to learn a particular dance - while dances come into popularity and then vanish into oblivion, the step sequences are eternal - at least as eternal as line dancing. Progressing from novice to beginner to intermediate and finally to advanced is really a matter of learning more basic steps and increasing complex step sequences and integrating them together.

利用不同音樂旋律所組成的排舞已被列為世界上最受歡迎社區活動的第二名。
初期的排舞多採用鄉謠音樂；到現今，多兼用其他音樂，如拉丁，蘇靈及流行音樂等
等。在優美的音樂旋律帶動下跳排舞能使身心愉快，忘却煩憂，並能在學習各種不同的
舞步及健體之同時，又能結交新朋友。

   排舞是排排跳的集體舞，跳舞者排成一行或多行一起跳同一組或多
組舞步。在這些平行排列的模式下，大家都跟隨音樂跳出一致的舞步而不需要舞伴亦
能愉快地享受跳舞的樂趣。除演繹特定組合的舞步之同時，跳舞者亦可有表現個人特
色的機會。

   排舞的舞步是舞蹈編撰家根據音樂的旋律及個人風格所編成的。大家在跳舞之
時便是在演繹編撰家的作品。學習排舞應該是著重掌握舞蹈中不同舞步的基本動作，
而非只為認識及學習其中的一套作品。因為基本舞步是恆久不變，反之作品或許只是
流行一段期間之後很快便會被大家忘記。由初學者以至進階至資深學員的過程，當中
是不斷學習不同的舞步，由簡單的基本步開始至慢慢累積經驗到各種不同難度的組合
步法，循序漸進。

It is common misconception that dancing is the privilege of only healthy and energetic people; seniors with limited body movements will find that they cannot enjoy dancing activities at all. They can only sit and watch other people dance, even while beautiful music is being played.

The creation of the sit and dance activity is mainly designed for those who cannot stand for a long period of time, or need walking aids to support their bodies.

As suggested by our ancient Classic of Poetry, “dance is the ultimate expression of our emotional inner-selves.  A variety of body motions blended to the rhythm of music allows our passions and sentiments be expressed to its fullest”. Music and dancing is a common international language; there should not be any barrier. Seniors may have limited body movement and intellectual energy; however, they still want to appreciate and enjoy their favourite music. This can recall their past memories, and soothe their bodies and minds. Seniors are eager to move their limbs with music.

Sit and Line Dance promotes the concept of dancing can be performed while you are seated. This will provide seniors with more choices to exercise. Advantages of Sit and Line Dance:

Help seniors to maintain and improve muscle tone, especially muscles in the fore and upper arms, those in their calves, toes and heels. This helps their muscle coordination. When music and dance go together, this can bring back their past memories, improve rhythmic feeling, relax their bodies, soothe their minds and emotion. Exercise while you are dancing can enhance their interest in body workout, improving cardio vascular function. While participating in dancing, their confidence level will be raised; they forget about their frustration and worries. Fortifying their memory  and ability to focus on the five sense organs

Sit and Line Dance will use versatile and senior friendly way to deliver our lessons. Our instructors will choose songs of appropriate tempo, recognized-by-seniors kind of oldies in our dancing program. Songs may be simplified and rearranged to suit our students progress. Our main purpose is to encourage our seniors to participate in this activity, and once again enjoy the fun of music and dancing they used to listen to. It is our hope that this will bring joy and happiness to them again, with our loving care.

“Charity Line Dance Queen”, Winnie Yu and her team of volunteer instructors have specially designed and voluntarily initiated this Sit and Line Dance program. This program will run for the first time at the Mon Sheong Adult Day Care Centre in Richmond Hill. It is our hope that this program will provide less mobile seniors with new and creative activities through exercising with dancing music.

This activity will start from October 16, every Tuesday and Friday, from 11am to 12 noon.  Please ask about details for those families who need Adult Day Care services.
Contact phone number:  Mon Sheong Foundation 905-883-9288 ext 2202

Mon Sheong was found in 1964. It is a non-profit charity services organization.  Their vision is: "Sharing and Caring With You By Our Side" Their services include three long term care centres, an adult day care centre, Chinese school, a youth group and voluntary services. They provide excellent services to our communities.

Mon Sheong website: www.monsheong.org.
 

一般人認為跳舞只是屬於活躍, 體力充沛和健全人士的專利，年紀大了，體力不繼，手腳不靈，就不能參與跳舞這種活動；無論我們有多愛那些極富節奏感的音樂，或有多想享受跳舞的樂趣，都不能做到就只有坐著乾看的份兒。

坐著跳舞的概念及模式是為不能站立太久，或需要用助行架幫助步行,下肢無力…的長者而構思的。

詩經有云：「詠歌之不足，不知手之舞之，足之蹈之也」。音樂和舞蹈是國際共通的語言，可以跨越界限分享。長者雖然失去部份體力或智力，很多時對音樂依然會保留共鳴 ;  熟悉的懷舊音樂，更能為他們喚回過去的美好回憶；亦能平和情緒，具良好治療作用,長者們都很樂意跟著舞動肢體。

「坐座排舞」推動「坐在座位上也可跳舞」的概念，擴闊行動不便的長者的活動選擇。特色是小組參加者坐在椅上，配合音樂拍和及導師帶領，學習跳舞。「坐座排舞」有很多好處，包括:

- 協助長者保持及增强肌肉活動能力，尤其一些平常少用的肌肉組群 如      前臂，上臂，小腿，足尖足跟等，改善手腳的協調功能； - 音樂結合舞蹈，為長者帶來回憶，增強節奏感，鬆弛身心，舒緩情緒； - 寓運動於舞蹈， 增加做運動的樂趣 ; 強健心肺功能； - 從參與跳舞，增強長者的自信心,忘煩解憂; - 強化記憶及五官的專注力…

「坐座排舞」會採用活潑並適合長者體能的形式進行，導師會選擇一些節拍合適，長者又熟悉的懷舊歌曲，重新編排動作及步法，以簡易形式指導及以關愛的心來帶領長者進行。目的是鼓勵長者積極參與，重新享受跳舞的樂趣,祈為他們帶來喜樂。

「慈善舞后」余瑞心及其義工導師團隊特別為孟嘗會構思及義務帶領這個「坐座排舞」新項目，會率先在孟嘗會烈治文山的成人日託中心展開 。為長者帶來健康活潑的音樂舞蹈新一頁。 受惠機構: 孟嘗會烈治文山成人日託中心

活動從十月十六起，每週二天，逢星期二、五，早上十一時至十二時舉行。

歡迎有興趣，而又需要日託服務的長者及家人查詢。電話：孟嘗會905-883-9288 内線2202.

余瑞心排舞團隊成立於1997年，Winnie Yu及其導師團隊多年來推動排舞不遺餘力，並通過排舞活動，義務為社區多間慈善團體籌募經費。獲政府頒授嘉許銀獎章及獲得多個非牟利慈善服務團體義工服務獎項。於多市被譽為「慈善舞后」。

孟嘗會成立於1964年，為非牟利慈善服務團體，秉承「扶老慈幼」的精神，為華人社區提供全面的服務。服務包括三間長期護理服務中心，成人日託中心，中文學校，青年團及義工服務等。惠及社會各階層人士。

孟嘗會綱址: www.monsheong.org.