1st Steps Linedance

Socials started again

2008-10-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

After a pause for the summer, our socials started up again.

No live act, but we choose our favourite dances, everyone brings a plate of food to share and we have a great time.

It's very relaxed, and as Stef and Vince give us walk-through of the dancers, everyone can have a go. We were pleased to welcome some new people to our socials - and even the beginners were able to enjoy some dancing.

The Watford Line-Dancing class continues to grow

2008-09-26T04:47:00.000-07:00

After the summer holidays people are looking for ways to keep fit and lose some of the pounds that crept on over the summer months.

(Err - do you actually remember a summer in the UK this year?)

But quite apart from that, any excuse to go dancing is welcome, because we all have a good night out.

The Watford line-dance class we started not long before the summer holidays is now growing steadily.

1st Steps now moves into the "busy season" with a great calendar of socials and live-gigs. Check out our calendar.

Another Social - June 2008

2008-07-01T08:36:00.000-07:00

June 2008 brought another social in the 1st Steps calendar.

As usual, plenty of dancing, and everyone brings something for the finger buffet. A great evening out.

We were pleased to welcome some who had recently joined our classes. Although they'd worried they wouldn't be able to dance, they were soon on their feet and dancing away. If anyone is unsure of the steps, stand in the middle and there's always someone close at hand to help out.

After all - we can all remember our hesitant 1st Steps!

Osteoporosis Scanning June 2008

2008-07-01T08:23:00.000-07:00

Stephanie arranged an osteoporosis scan for anyone interested.

Osteoporosis is a serious health problem, and your risk factor is higher than you might think. Read more at:
National Osteoporosis Society - Home

The screening identified some of our dancers who already have a problem - they have been recommended to see their doctor for treatment. Others, shown to have below average bone density for their age were given advice on diet and load-bearing exercise.

Needless to say, line-dancing is a great form of exercise. As one who hated going to the gym or any other form of exercise, my regular dancing classes and socials mean that I'm more active in my fifties than at any time in my life - which must be good!

Linedancing class in Watford, UK

2008-06-21T05:42:00.000-07:00

Whoops - been a long time since I posted here.

Too busy dancing, and going to socials!

Anyway, Stephanie is now running a class in Watford on a Wednesday evening from 8pm to 10.30pm. It's great fun, as are all 1st Steps classes.

See the classes page on the website for more information and to download a flyer.

6th Birthday

2007-11-28T13:05:00.000-08:00

On 26th November 2007, 1st Steps Linedance was 6-years old! We've grown to 300+ people learning to dance the "1st Steps" way.

Of course, we had a party to celebrate - any excuse!

Stephanie's approach doesn't meet with the approval of some other teachers, but she has 300 people a week who like what she's doing. Some had tried other ways to learn line-dancing and were ready to give up until they found a 1st Steps class (now 9 classes in North West London) I'm just one of her 300 happy dancers! Bring on the next 6-years.

A great live gig from Kay 'D

2007-11-07T08:21:00.000-08:00

Another fantastic night (27th October 2007), with up-and-coming star Kay 'D.

Read all about it here and listen to the amazing talent of Kay 'D.

Our last social

2007-10-23T15:14:00.000-07:00

Not a lot to report over the summer, although thank goodness the classes continued or my exercise content would have been nil!

Anyway, more than pleased to be back into the swing of our socials, with the most recent being on 13th October 2007! Check out that page for our live gigs too.

New classes started this week!

2007-09-06T02:42:00.000-07:00

Back to line dancing with after the summer break. Hooray. Hope I can remember all the steps.

In fact there's been no break behind the scenes at First Steps, because Stephanie has been busy training two new line-dance teachers to expand the classes available. So, this first week in September 2007 sees all existing line-dancing classes continuing, plus three new classes starting.

Two new beginners line dance classes, plus one new intermediate line-dance class. The new classes are in West Drayton, current classes in Ruislip and Pinner, North West London.

You can see full class details here. Come and join us - it's great fun.

Surprise!

2007-08-11T02:41:00.000-07:00

As well as dancing to keep fit, we have some great social events too.

One of the best, and most challenging to arrange, was Stephanie's Surprise Birthday Party in July 2007. I'm amazed she didn't spot all the secretive organizing that went on right under her nose in classes - but the photo of her coming through the door 'on the night' shows it was a complete surprise.

While you're at the website, check out the latest dates - there are some big names coming in early 2008 that you won't want to miss.

A very special baby

2007-07-13T17:08:00.000-07:00

In Spring 2007 1st Steps' fund-raising work was in aid of the Special Care Baby Units at Stoke Mandeville and Queen Charlotte's hospitals. To date over £8,000 has been raised, with some events still in progress.

On 3^rd September 2006 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Felicity and Stephen's baby Aedhan was born at 24 weeks, weighing just 770g – around 1lb 11oz, after a 17 hour labour. Although he was not breathing by himself, he had a heartbeat throughout, and was intubated after the third attempt.

The future looked very bleak for such a fragile little boy and, once stabilised, he was rushed to Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, Hammersmith, where he spent the first 5 weeks of his life in the intensive care unit. He was on a ventilator for three days, and CPAP for around 8 weeks. He had two blood transfusions, some antibiotics for a bladder problem and had frequent desats and some bradys.

A day before his mummy’s birthday, he was transferred back to Stoke Mandeville and slowly came off all the monitors, until he was just on an apnoea mattress.

On 10^th December 2006, Aedhan came home, which was before his due date – a big surprise! He spent Christmas and New Year with his family, and became such a hungry boy that breastmilk was not sufficient, and needed formula too. By 10^th February 2007, he was approaching 7lb, and had grown out of loads of clothes! He is smiling, chatting and has even turned himself over a few times! He is behaving like a new baby, has learnt to sleep through the night, and is our little miracle.

The whole family cannot speak highly enough in praise of the work of the staff who saved Aedhan's life at the two hospitals, and the fund-raising work is just a token of appreciation.

1st Steps Line Dancing for Charity

2007-07-13T17:01:00.000-07:00

Since 1st Steps started in 2001, Stephanie, Vince and Felicity have worked tirelessly for charity.

Just a few of the highlights:

£2,000 raised for Macmillan Nurses
£200 raised selling badges for breast cancer
Supporting our local Lions fund-raising events
Feb 2005: An amazing £10,000 raised for Cancer Research
Spring 2007 (on-going): In aid of Special Care Baby Units at Stoke Mandeville and Queen Charlotte's hospitals - read the story of baby Aedhan

Aims of 1st Steps Line Dance

2007-07-13T16:00:00.000-07:00

1st Steps Line Dance classes was started in November 2001 by Stephanie, Vince and Felicity, all enthusiastic dancers. Daytime and evening classes now run in Pinner, Eastcote, Uxbridge and West Drayton (NW London).

Back in 2001, although there were other classes available, Stephanie, Vince and Felicity felt that there was a shortage of local classes for learning those 'Golden Oldie' dances that 'every-one knows'. In particular, 'Absolute Beginners' were not well-catered for. So they decided to fill the gap!

Stephanie, Vince and Felicity don't mind if you're not "step or style perfect". Stephanie regularly tells classes "The style monitors aren't watching". But they are passionate that you should enjoy your dancing and have fun.

Starting out as an Absolute Beginner myself, I had tried to pick up line dancing 'on the floor', and totally failed - despite enthusiastic help from friends who were experienced dancers themselves.

I tried one class, but even though I was assured it was for beginners, it was way beyond me.

1st Steps' Beginners Line Dance classes were just what I needed. The classes start with twenty minutes running through the basic steps, followed by dances to get you started. Vince tells dancers "It can take up to six weeks before your feet listen to your head". There's a walk-through of at least one wall before each dance - and more when it's being taught. And, for beginners, all dances will be 'called' so that you can quickly join in and keep up with everyone else.

After all, no-one wants to go out and pay to feel an idiot because they "can't do it".

These classes are great for people who want to learn line-dancing, and have never danced before. But once you've mastered the Beginner dances, there are Improver and Intermediate classes to progress with.

Line dancing is a fantastic way to keep mind and body toned up. And classes are very friendly; everyone remembers when they started out with "two left feet". As Stephanie says, "If you end up facing the wrong way, wave - and laugh".