Dancing
“The moment is everything. Don’t think about tomorrow; don’t think about yesterday: think about exactly what you’re doing right now and live it and dance it and breathe it and be it.” - Wendy Whelan
From the front row of the dance theatre audience, I grinned as my friend took to the stage. She was there to perform a dance she’d choreographed for a local dance company. A common presence at community events, this company communicated a core belief that dance is for everybody. As I watched the various performances that night, I found joy in the wide variety of body types, ages, and abilities present in the dancers. One young man was wheeled onto the stage in a wheelchair and assisted in a dance by others who moved him about the stage as part of the choreography. I left the event feeling light and refreshed. It reminded me that perfection is never a necessary ingredient when it comes to dance. Anyone can dance. They really can.
Dancing is a fantastic way to connect to your own body and build your self confidence. If you can already dance in front of others and not worry about what they think about that dancing, that’s a sign of healthy self confidence. If you can’t, you’re not alone. Many of us struggle to “let go” enough to just move to the music and not center our thoughts on what others might be thinking about us.
For starters, practice dancing alone in your room to music you like. Here’s some questions you can ask yourself to help find your unique dancing groove.
What type of music am I the most drawn to dance to?
Do I like dancing to a fast beat or a slow beat?
How would I describe the way I dance when I’m alone?
If dancing feels scary or intimidating to me, why is that? What am I afraid of?
Allowing yourself the freedom of movement is a fantastic entry point to dance. If you want to bring the benefits of dance deeper into your life, the next step for you might be dance lessons or learning the steps of a certain style via instructional videos online (if in person teaching isn’t possible currently). Most styles of dance have simple, beginning steps or combinations that you can practice until you feel confident in them. Shows like “So You Think You Can Dance” or “Dancing with the Stars” can also give you ideas for new music to dance to or styles to try.
Wherever your feet take you, the most important thing to remember is that dance is just intentional movement. That’s it. All you have to do is own it.
Challenges/Points:
Dancing is something any of us can do if we choose to.
Some of the benefits of dancing are increased self confidence, finding a creative outlet, exposure to new cultures, and lowered stress levels.
Try dancing in your room by yourself at first if you’re worried about what others will think.
Questions:
Is dancing a part of your life?
Do you know someone who dances? How do you think dance affects them?
What’s one barrier to dancing you can work on removing today?
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