Talented Seniors Take To Dance Floor And Inspire Crowd To Get On Their Feet

Nov 04, 2022 by apost team

Seniors Sam and Ellen won first place at the Grand National Dance contest in 2017 with their swing dancing. The crowd was curious to see the elderly couple walk out on the dance floor, but they blew everyone's mind when they began to move to the Blues song “Gonna Move Across the River.”

Together, they perfected the lindy hop and threw in their style of dance moves, including swing turns, quick steps, and dips that went as low as the floor.

The judges and the crowd described Sam and Ellen's dance as mesmerizingly beautiful. Their feet never missed a beat, and they were more like floating on air than dancing. The crowd was appreciative of the style and effort the couple put forth, but the fact they were both seniors is what was most impressive to be able to move that way. Everyone had judged them by the time they walked out on the floor, but when the music started, there was no doubt this couple knew what they were doing.

Along with seeing the dance moves from an older dance by a couple who lived through the ages, people felt tremendous pride in what they saw. Most people did not know the dance was not "swing dancing," as the judges called it. It was confusing due to the beat of the music that the couple chose to dance along. The name of the dance the couple was dancing is known as "shag dancing."

Shag dancing moves consist of using the waist down, and the footwork is grounded but glides smoothly across the floor. The best way to describe it is that the dancers have rubber knees and slippery feet. It is funny but amazing to watch at the same time. 

This dance coming from seniors was authentic because they lived through a time when swinging and shagging were popular after World War I and before World War II.

Swing, the Foxtrot, the Charleston and shag dancing are all known as the lindy hop. The lindy hop era began in the 1920s when the Charleston and the Foxtrot were in style. Another interesting fact is that the Charleston was named after Charles Lindbergh, who flew across the Atlantic Ocean. It became known as the saying he "hopped" over the Atlantic Ocean, flying his plane. Seniors kept these dance moves alive as they continued to gather at functions to cut loose now and then.

Dancing is a great workout for the young and the old. It keeps the heart pumping and keeps the people feeling younger. Even the brain is getting a great workout session as it thinks up the moves to go along with the groove. In some ways, dancing could be the key to the fountain of youth. The heart stays healthy as people exercise. Since dancing keeps the heart healthy and is one of the best forms of exercise, Sam and Ellen are sure to enjoy long and happy lives.

The Columbia Star reported that Ellen, who is known as the first lady of shag, created the Ellen Taylor Foundation for Junior Shaggers. She is clearly an inspiration to many – and her dance skills prove that she really does know how to move!

If watching the dance video did not take you back in time to when the world seemed simpler, nothing else will. Some people even stood up and danced themselves, clearly inspired by the way Sam and Ellen moved and grooved! There are so many dance sensations today; there is no way we can forget about classics.

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What did you think about these seniors’ dance moves? Were you impressed by their skills? Let us know, and be sure to pass this along to your family and friends.