Full disclosure: I am closer to 40 than I am to 60. But here’s the thing – line dancing is for everyone. And if you think it’s only for a certain age group or a certain type of person, that assumption disappears the moment you step onto the dance floor.
I recently took up line dancing with a group of friends, and it has turned out to be one of the most unexpectedly positive decisions I’ve made in years. What started as a casual “why not?” has quickly become a weekly ritual, bringing movement, laughter and genuine connection into our lives.
Every Monday night, we head to our local high school hall and line up – literally – to learn new routines. The music is wonderfully eclectic. One week it’s pop, the next it’s country, and occasionally we even find ourselves dancing enthusiastically to a bit of Nickelback. It’s not about being cool or polished; it’s about showing up, having a go and enjoying yourself.
Around 40 people turn up each week, and the age range is one of the best parts. There are dancers in their 20s alongside people in their 70s and 80s, with most of us somewhere in between. It’s a rare space where age melts away and everyone is united by the same goal: remembering the steps and staying in time.
Our teacher, Miss Zoe, has the patience of a saint and keeps things fresh by introducing new dances each week. Whenever she suggests we try a routine “just once” at full speed, the room fills with good-natured groans and nervous laughter. We whinge, we laugh, we stumble – and then we try again.
There’s something deeply satisfying about the way the routines build. We start slowly, repeating the steps until they feel familiar, then gradually pick up the pace. Suddenly you realise you’ve learnt something new – and better still, you’ve done it together.
Now when Ed Sheeran’s Shivers comes on the radio, I have to physically restrain myself from leaping up and launching into what I consider to be a very technical line-dancing routine. That sense of recognition – knowing exactly what your body is meant to do – is far more rewarding than I ever expected.
I was never a dancer growing up. My sisters danced, but I avoided anything that felt showy or performative. Line dancing feels different. There’s no spotlight, no pressure to be perfect and no expectation that you’ll get it right every time.
If you lose your place, you simply pick it up again. The repetition and structure mean the dance keeps looping, giving you plenty of chances to rejoin without embarrassment. That forgiveness encourages people to keep moving instead of giving up – and that makes all the difference.
While line dancing has long been associated with country music and community halls, it’s now enjoying a surge in popularity, particularly among younger generations. TikTok has helped, with routines set to pop, rock and remix tracks going viral – but what’s really interesting is how that online enthusiasm has spilled into real life.
Dance schools, community centres and pubs are seeing renewed interest as people look for ways to move, connect and belong – without pressure or pretence.
We recently attended a line dancing night at our local pub. The place was packed, the dance floor was full, and people of all ages were laughing, clapping and confidently busting out routines they clearly loved. Watching different generations dance together, free of self-consciousness, was genuinely heartwarming.
Line dancing might not look like a traditional workout, but it’s fantastic exercise. It boosts your heart rate, improves balance and coordination, and strengthens memory – all without feeling like a chore.
You turn up because you want to, not because you feel like you should.
And really, what more could you want than that?
If you’re ever in Kiama, come and line dance with us at Miss Zoe’s Dance School. Everyone is welcome, whether you’ve danced your whole life or never taken a step before.
If you are looking for a class near you, here a good place to start – the Line Dancing Association of Australia.
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