Creating waves, lines and flower-petal like forms, dancers weave in and out of symmetry, switching sides while the wooden floor creaks in reaction to their skipping.

Not everything flows perfectly, however. The dance is stuck in a momentary pause while the dancers figure out how to file out of their current pattern. After some chattering of directions and some slight pushes, the dancers are back into parallel lines with their faces turned up in confused looks.

“This always makes a lot more sense with music,” says Linda Lieberman, their teacher, preparing to turn on a CD.

This is all part of learning a traditional Scottish country dance form in a class held at the Octagon Center for the Arts.

The class, endorsed by the Royal Scottish Dance Society headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland, focuses on a number of couples facing each other in two lines and creating patterns to Celtic music through dancing.

“The patterns are fascinating. It’s kind of like working out a little puzzle,” Lieberman says.

“As an exercise program, it’s much better than things you have to do on your own.”

The classes started 16 years ago, Lieberman says, when her friend Gayle Hoepner wanted to teach the dances at the Octagon. Lieberman, who was teaching pottery classes at the Octagon, happened to have a key to the place.

“I kind of got roped into it, but I just kept going,” Lieberman says.

After doing the lessons for awhile, Lieberman says they decided to go through the two-year application process to become an official part of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.

“It’s a long, involved process,” Lieberman says.

“But if it’s for something you love and care about, it’s no problem.”

With 14 years of teaching under her belt, Lieberman has helped form demonstration teams that have performed at places from the Ames library to the state fair.

“It’s hard to find a hobby that is energetic, appeals to social opportunities and is good for you, but this is it,” Lieberman says.

While the patterns are seemingly difficult, it becomes a lot easier over time, especially with the group, says Philip Dixon, professor of statistics and society member.

“It’s very welcoming. We were all beginners once,” Dixon says.

“I have a 10-year-old boy who has practiced and performed with us, so if he can do it, anyone can do it.”

On campus, Iowa State has the Celtic Dance Society, which practices the same style of dance on a weekly basis.

There is also a Spring Ball in May when all of the members arrive in a grand march at the Memorial Union, two-by-two, led by a bagpipe player.

“If you’re there at the right time, it’s a wonderful thing to watch,” Dixon says.

Who: Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

Where: Octagon Center for the Arts, 427 Douglas Ave.

When: Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

Cost: Free