Dancing enriches health

In June, the Dance for the Health of It program in Sun City West celebrated its one-year anniversary. And with more than 300 participants enrolled there, it seemed almost inevitable that the program would spread to Sun City. Next week, it will do just that. Two demonstration classes were conducted at the Sundial Auditorium Wednesday and the regular class schedule begins next week.

"I say ‘officially’ because we actually got started about a month and a half ago," said program instructor Kort Kurdi. "I approached the rec centers and asked if we could get an early start with the people who stuck around during the summer and they said that would be fine."

Kurdi said he hoped the soft start to the program would help build momentum to the official opening.
"And it has, it most definitely has," Kurdi said. "We had about 30 people participating, and this is purely by word of mouth. The feedback has been very positive and it looks like we have a lot of people here today."

Demonstrations were at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. More than 75 people showed up for the first demonstration alone.

"It’s very exciting to be expanding the program again, and I’m happy to see so many people come out to try it," Kurdi said. "I love helping people to feel the excitement of dance because I think a lot of people want to try it but are afraid to take that first step."

Kurdi has been involved with dance for many years, including more than a decade now as an instructor in Arizona.

"What I’ve come to realize is that dance is seen as sort of exclusive," Kurdi said. "You’re either a dancer and in on the secret or you’re a spectator and you’re not. The purpose of this class is to give people an enjoyable way to get active and to introduce them to dancing in a relaxed way."

Kurdi teaches classes all over the Valley, from line dancing to ballroom to country and western. Increasingly, though, it is the Dance for the Health of It classes that are becoming his primary focus.

"I still do the other programs, but the Dance for the Health of It classes have taken off so much and so quickly that it does take a lot of my time," he said. "It seems to really be resonating with people."

Dance for the Health of It in Sun City will be at 6 and 7 p.m. Mondays at the Bell Recreation Center. Cost is $5 for one class and $6 for two.

Classes in the West Valley are available in several locations, including Arizona Traditions in Surprise and the Paradise RV Resort in Peoria. For information and a full schedule of classes, visit www.arizonaucandance.com.

Jeff Dempsey may be reached at 623-876-2531 or jdempsey@yourwestvalley.com.