"Lindy Fix" Featured on "Healthy Communities" TV Show

By Thomas Tarapacki

You've read about Buffalo's "Lindy Fix" in BuffaloRising.com, and now you can watch it on cable TV.  The "Lindy Fix" swing dance program is being featured on "Healthy Communities" on The Government Channel, Channel 22 on Time Warner Cable. The show, hosted by Phil Haberstro, can be seen Monday, Wednesday, & Friday at 11 AM & 10 PM, Saturday 10:30 AM and Sunday at 8:00 PM through mid-February.

Generally, ballroom-style dancing is a mild aerobic exercise that many people find more fun and interesting than taking an aerobics class or running on a treadmill. In addition to increasing heart rate, it also contributes to good posture and balance. Some ballroom dancing is very athletic, so much so that the International Olympic Committee is considering making competitive ballroom dancing an Olympic sport.

But you don't have to go to the Olympics to experience the joy of dance. You can stop by Shakti Yoga at 220 Lexington Avenue Monday nights starting at 8:00 PM for Lindy Fix. You can also watch this month's edition of "Healthy Communities," which features in-studio interviews with dancers Rob Leach and Zoe Lavatelli, as well as footage shot at a recent Monday night Lindy Fix session.

"Healthy Communities" is one of the programs carried on The Government Channel 22. The channel is operated by the City, and provides a wide variety of informational programming, from gavel-to-gavel coverage of CitiStat Buffalo and Common Council Meetings, to various special interest shows. "Healthy Communities" is a half-hour show that has covered such varied topics as it's hosted by Phil Haberstro, founder and director of the Wellness Institute.

Haberstro has been involved with athletics all of his life, and was linebacker and team captain for the Buffalo Geminis when they were the top ranked semi-pro football team in the country. However, he hasn't done much dancing "since my eighth grade ballroom lessons." Still, he described his visit to Lindy Fix as "a very positive experience." Phil said that he's basically a shy person and was a bit out of his comfort zone, but the pace and methodology of the lessons was very effective. "The music was easy to work with as well," he pointed out. "It didn't distract from the dance but supported it."

In addition to the physical aspect of Lindy Fix, Phil was impressed by the program's ability to bring together people of various ages and diverse backgrounds. "Everyone there was supportive and encouraging," he added. "The people who were new to it, like me, understood my awkwardness and helped me relax. The seasoned people were very encouraging and willing to share their knowledge and experience." Overall, he found it to be "a very supportive environment."

Haberstro noted that the 21^st Century model of a Healthy Community involves understanding that social, environmental, and economic conditions deeply influence personal health and quality of life. The Wellness Institute has created an integrated portfolio of initiatives to positively impact the region's social, environmental, economic, and human capital, with citizens, business, not-for-profits and government working together. The "Healthy Communities" show is part of the Wellness Institute's strategy to advance that cause.

Haberstro added that he tries to feature groups and individuals on his show who "will inspire to take positive action in a variety of ways." He also seeks to expose those who are having a significant impact on community wellness but who don't get a lot of publicity. Phil hopes to have some future shows featuring other grassroots dance groups going on in the City. "I've talking to people who are running Tango and Line dancing programs," he said, "and I'd like to do shows on them in the near future."  

He's also thinking about programs on pedestrian and bicycle initiatives, which the Wellness Office is involved in. Another topic of interest is health promotion. "Not only is health promotion itself a great topic, but health promotion as a profession is something that I'd like to cover on future shows," said Haberstro. Phil may also feature some of the future wellness enhancing events that he's involved with, such as the "Wellness Lane" at the Buffalo Niagara Auto Show and Buffalo's upcoming WELLFEST in April.

He also welcomes feedback from viewers, especially about possible subjects for "Healthy Communities."

The "Healthy Communities" show featuring the Lindy won't be confused with "Dancing With the Stars," but if it can encourage viewers to get involved with dance as part of an active lifestyle, it will have accomplished its goal.

You can contact Phil Haberstro at 716-851-4052 or at phaberstro@city-buffalo.org. You can find out more about Lindy Fix and other local swing dancing activities by going to www.swingbuffalo.com.