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Joy of Dancing
The Joy of Dancing
One of the reasons dancers love to dance is because they "lose themselves."It means feeling one's own movement match the music;
feeling the music inside your body,
and allowing your body to respond to it in an uninhibited way.
Whether a dancer is performing choroegraphy or generating impromptu movements,
this expression of freedom releases the soul and connects to the meaning of being human.
No matter what else is going on in a dancer's world,
the connection of body to music will always be good and right,
giving comfort satisfaction, and joy.
Dance instructors seek to convey this joy to their students.
Often, the biggest obstacle to convincing someone to dance is their own self-consciousness.
So the instructor may use one of the other big advantages to dancing: it's good exercise.
Everyone knows they need to exercise, so sometimes they'll start dancing for the exercise
and end up continuing because they encounter the joy.
Are you worried about what others might think if they see you dancing?
Just remember, dancing is an ancient human activity, embrace the wonder of it.
Allow yourself the freedeom to feel uninhibited joy.
Top Ten Reasons to Try Contra Dancing
By Lissa Bengtson, San Antonio, Texas1. Live music by talented musicians.
2. It's an inexpensive activity, and no special clothing is required.
3. If you can walk briskly, you can contra dance.
4. No partner is necessary -- it's our tradition to switch partners after each dance.
5. Every dance is taught and walked-through before it is danced.
6. Almost all ages can enjoy contra dancing -- from 6-year-olds to 90+year-olds and all ages in-between.
7. Good, clean fun. No smokin', no drinkin'.
8. Many married couples have met at a contra dance, but that's not the main purpose of the evening.
9. It's good, low-impact exercise, but you don't realize you are exercising because it's so much fun!
Pedometer-wearers have logged 5,000 steps in a 3-hour dance.
10. Being with other people (socializing) is good for you.
"Life isn't about waiting for the sun to shine, it's about learning to dance in the rain."
(Updated or Revised March 2021)
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