This Year You Should Dance

By FPL_Staff

Dance can change your life. Don’t believe me? That’s ok. But as a dance instructor, let me just say:

It can give you confidence. The difference is astounding between a person just beginning to their journey, and someone who’s been hoofing it for a few weeks! This experience teaches you a new way to hold yourself, how to interact with another person in a close space, and how to communicate without speaking.

Dance is exciting. Boy, as a dance instructor, it’s thrilling to see someone who has been newly-introduced to a step get it, and it’s twice as fun when you’re the one learning new material. The feeling of accomplishment is indescribable.

You’ll learn life skills. Immersing yourself in a new culture usually includes new etiquette. In this case, skills might include how to cordially ask someone to dance, how to accept or decline, respecting and honoring others, where to put your hands and why. Teamwork, leadership, communication, and encouragement all come to the floor! These skills will of course serve you in other social settings as well.

Movement changes. As you engage in this age-old art form, you’ll discover a new way of moving with intent and purpose. Soon you’ll notice your new skills have influenced the way you move in other areas of your life—maybe better posture and balance, more fluidity in your athletics, or just overall presence when you walk into a room! You’ll engage in trust exercises with a partner, understanding nuances of movement and silent signals of nonverbal communication.

Your style might even alter. No kidding. When I was first introduced to this hobby, I wore baggy t-shirts all the time. But suddenly, choosing my wardrobe included the question “but, does it spin?” Don’t get me wrong, comfort is still top priority, but my whole fashion sense changed once spinning became a part of my routine.

Are you convinced? Not yet? Ok, well here are a few rapid-fire reasons you should dance:

• It’s great exercise
• Everyone needs more music in their life
• You’ll develop an appreciation for different types of music
• You’ll meet all kinds of interesting people
• Your conversation skills might increase
• You’ll discover all sorts of new ways to interact with others
• You’ll stand out at weddings, holidays and other special events
• Best of all, you’ll have fun (if you’re not having fun, you’re doing it wrong!)

Aren’t sure this foundational cultural phenomenon is as powerful as I claim? Discover the science behind the benefits in The Dance Cure, opens a new window!