Time to Get in Line to Shake Loose All That Holiday Flab : Local dance lessons, smoke-free to boot, will have you back on your toes and in the swing of things.

It’s only five days into the new year, but chances are you’re already horizontal on the couch--a casualty of Post-Holiday Syndrome. At this point, even working the TV remote seems to require too much effort. Since Thanksgiving, you’ve watched more football games than any human can stand and grazed on so much chocolate candy that a stomach staple couldn’t save you.

Face it, what’s needed to get you back on your feet and feeling good is exercise. The Electric Slide is cheaper than a Thighmaster. The schottische works better than a tummy tuck, and it firms the tush as a bonus. Then throw in some swing to tighten that nasty underarm flab.

Presto! Barroom aerobics! But it’s possible to reap all the health and social benefits of country-western dancing without ever setting foot in a bar or any other smoke-filled environment.

Just ask Moorpark-based instructors, and 1989 national country-western dance champions Ed Failing and Sally Bourgerie--better known as Ed & Sally of Country Events to Remember. The couple only teaches at venues that prohibit smoking.

“People think I’m from the South or have laryngitis,” said Sally, who has a low, throaty voice. “But I suffer every day from years of severe voice abuse. So, because of my throat, any event that I do is a nonsmoking event.”

One such event starts Jan. 15. The couple will teach three eight-week courses in couples dancing and line dancing at the Conejo Community Center in Thousand Oaks.

For another smoke-and-alcohol-free good time, watch for family dances held every six weeks at the Borchard Community Center in Newbury Park. These popular events feature a live band and lessons for only $5 per person. Sue Nickelson is the instructor Jan. 14. And Ed & Sally will teach Feb. 11, April 8 and Oct. 14.

It’s worth the short drive for Ed & Sally’s ongoing sessions Thursdays at the Warner Center Dance Academy in Woodland Hills. Catch line dancing at 7:30 p.m. and couples lessons at 8:30 p.m. These couples sessions are popular with folks who want intermediate/advanced lessons rarely offered in the clubs.

Meanwhile, their two dance instruction videos, which are available through Brentwood Communications, are an excellent substitute for the real thing. Especially helpful is the demonstration of two-step moves and footwork from several angles and each partner’s point of view.

The video also teaches plenty of choreographed partner line dances done in the round, including the Wagon Wheel Waltz, Cowboy Cha-Cha, the Horseshoe, El Paso, and the Shadow. “That eliminates the guesswork,” said Ed, “and looks cool.”

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See the Two-Steppin’ listings for other dance courses and workshops starting soon.

Details

* WHAT: Dance courses.

* WHO: Ed & Sally.

* WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 15 through March 5. Country-Western Dancing, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. no partner required. Country-Western Dance for Couples, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Country-Western Line Dance, 7:30 to 9 p.m.

* WHERE: Conejo Community Center, 1300 Hendrix Ave., Thousand Oaks.

* HOW MUCH: $20 per person for Country-Western Dancing, $28 for line or couples courses.

* CALL: 495-2163.

* ETC: For details about Ed & Sally’s videos or their events, call 523-1038.