Dancing fires up the body and gets everything moving in the right direction. Ballroom dancing takes that energy and unites it with a partner. No matter what your favorite music or type of movement, ballroom dancing has something to offer you that will get your toes to taping.

The term "ballroom dancing" covers everything from the traditional dances of Foxtrot (think Fred Astaire) and Waltz, to the exotic dances of Tango, Cha-Cha, and Rumba, to the quick paced swing, hustle, two-step, jive and jitter-bug. Couples that dance together learn to communicate without words. They create a bond that helps them to work together to move as one. Along the way the actions help to provide each of them with a great work out.

Anyone can learn how to ballroom dance. Age does not matter – you can never start too young or too old. Dancing helps to teach you discipline when you are younger and keeps you younger as you grow old. Experience does not matter – even those with no rhythm or dance background can learn the basics of ballroom dance (all you have to do is watch one episode of “Dancing with the Stars” to know that is true).

The main ingredient of ballroom dancing is heart. A desire to dance and a love of music will get you a long ways toward a successful experience in ballroom dancing. The keys to ballroom dancing involve lots of smiles and laughter.

Couples in the Guntersville area have several opportunities to learn the twists and turns of ballroom dancing. Classes are taught by Monty and Judy at the Guntersville Recreation Center on Monday evenings at 6 pm for beginners and 7 pm for advanced couples. The schedule of the featured dances can be found at their website www.guntersville ballroomdancing.com. The classes are only $5 per person and offer the information that you need to get moving around the dance floor.

The website also has information on the dances that are held each month at the Guntersville Recreation Center and other places around North Alabama.

The next dance will be held in the Multi-purpose Room of the Guntersville Recreation Center from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm on Saturday, November 13. These classes can be a great way to find your beat in dance. Judy and Monty can show you the first steps and also provide you with places to continue your dancing, including continuing education courses at Snead State Community College and dance studios in the Huntsville area.