Today, I am co-dependent on dance. It's my most effective means of expression, it's my livelihood, and it's my identity. What does dance mean to me? Dance means everything.
But I'm curious: Why does dance matter to you?
Not all of us are professional dancers. In fact, not all of us can keep a beat while Beyonce's blasting in the background. But it's safe to say everyone has danced at least once in their life. The role of dance in society has dramatically shifted over the years yet it's importance is everlasting: it makes people feel good. Whether you're watching a performance, having an impromptu break-out session in your kitchen, or taking a swing dance class with a group of your friends, people are happier when dance is involved.
In honor of Why Dance Matters Week, I'm asking you the simple question:
Why does dance matter to you?
I want to hear your dance stories, big or small. I want to hear about the first time you danced to Debbie Gibson or the moment you teared up when your little girl was on stage. Maybe dance saved your from depression or helped you cope from loss. Maybe it was while you were dancing you realized how absolutely beautiful you are.
To say I'm excited to hear your answers would be the understatement of the century. Bring it!
Hear what others have to say at Why Dance Matters on Facebook.
There are some powerful stories. Bring tissues.
27 comments:
I grew up in a muscial family, so i've always been surrounded by music and as a natural extension dance.
My parents danced in our living room we danced with them. Now I dance with my girls, my husband prefers to look on.
Its just a way of life. :)
Well I love watching dance, that mix of athleticism and grace just enthralls me.
But I never, ever ever, dance, I'm very shy, uptight and self conscious, dancing in front of people is torture for me.
First, I have to say that I CANNOT dance. However, dance is important to me, because Emma likes dance parties. She puts on her favorite dress, we turn on Lady Gaga, and we have fun.. regardless of how ridiculous I look. :]
I always wanted to take dance growing up, but my parents wouldn't let me for some reason. I always LOVED watching dancers on stage.
In my early 20's, my husband and I moved to Florida for his job for a couple years. I joined a dance studio and took some classes (jazz and hip hop) and LOVED it.
The thing I love about dance is that you don't have to be good to do it and enjoy it. There is a place for everyone in the dance world. It is both and art and a physical activity...the best of everything!
My daughter has been taking ballet for a year and we also went to two professional ballets last year. She LOVED it! And I love watching her. I think it is a great activity for shy little girls like her. It has been a great activity for her.
I look forward to hopefully many more years being involved in the dance world. We are so thankful for people willing to teach the little ones the fundamentals. I think who your teacher is makes a huge difference and she had an awesome one this past year!
I'm terrible at dancing. However, I still love it. There's nothing better than moving your body to amazing music, getting all sweaty and warm and just letting go. For awhile you can forget your worries and just ENJOY. That's pretty powerful.
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Love dance and this reminds me I must get back to my "New Style Motherlode" classes! Yes scary thinking of a whole load of middle aged laydees doing hip hop but its the best fun!
I always loved dancing, so much so, that when I was sad my mum used to say to me: "Go dancing, you know it will make you feel better!"... My only problem is I cannnot for my life remember the steps - so I just shake my bootie :)
P.S. My dad tried to teach me the Waltz (bless him), but he soon gave up...
Girl you know I love dance! I started at a really late age...18! No hopes of becoming a professional but I worked really hard for the last 14 years to get where I am now. It is hard after having kids, a knee injury and just the fact that I'm not 20 anymore. I still love it and I actually think I get better the more I dance! Yesterday at workshop one my girls told me that I gave her hope. She started a little late (13) but when I told her I was 18 when I started, I think that made her feel better.
Amy
Fashion and Beauty Finds
Dancing makes me happy :)
Wow! You are an inspiration to so many adults wanting to start dance. I loved that!
I love that! I can't wait to tell my children to go dance to feel better.
I'm so excited to hear your daughter had a greater teacher. It's a goal of mine to instill a love for dance in every student. I can already tell you're a great dance mom. We need more like you!
Oh man, I cannot wait for my husband to dance with his little girls in the living room. Hottest thing ever.
I'm a swing dancer so dance has always been an important part of my life. It always me to have fun, express myself, move myself to the kind of music I cherish, and it always me to connect with John (also a dancer) on a physical level.
Your pictures inspire me(:
Great blog!!
livingthrufashion.blogspot.com
Haha, YOU had a late start?? Try 28 years old! ;) Funny, though, how I started out playing soccer, too! And my post today is my dance story :) Our jiving wavelengths is just trippy sometimes... :)
Dance is who I am, it's my heartbeat, my soul, how I connect with God. That pretty much sums it up!
xoxo J
I have always appreciated and loved dance, I took tap and gymnastics, but my sister was in ballet when we were younger. Dance is such a wonderful form of expression both physically and also felt emotionally. Gorgeous photos! :)
When I was very wee I had to wear braces and special shoes, etc... to try to straighten my legs/feet.
When I was 5 my mother took me to a pediatric surgeon who had nearly convinced her to start me on a series of radical surgeries to correct the problem; at that point my father intervened and insisted I be taken back to the family doctor. She felt the problem was muscular rather than in the bones themselves and talked my parents into placing me in ballet class for one year.
That one year eventually became 6...but at the end of the first, no more braces or special shoes. I could run, play, but most of all I could dance and I danced everywhere.
Even later, after my mother and I were in a car crash that ruined my sense of balance, dance helped me learn how to walk again (spotting). Dance, for me, has always meant freedom.
This is really good question! But also hard to answer :-). I love dancing because it makes so much sense to me. You are creating something...you really express something with your body. For me it is another form of communication with others but most of all with your own soul. It is more then just a sportive activity. It goes way deeper. It touches your heart.
I love this post. I danced from age 3 to 16 and I loved every second of it. I love dance because it expresses feelings and enriches cultures. Beautiful dances have been created in the most depressing times, in times of war, pain and poverty. I love that dance it's not exclusive, poor and rich enjoy it alike.
It gives me confidence. I have been painfully shy since I was a child. The only time I have been more confident and in my element was during dance. My mom has a video of one of my dance recitals when I was 3 - I would not get off the stage. Older girls finally had to come on and lead me off. :P
Why does it matter to me?
Dance- it is what I ahve been doing since I was 3. If I am not in class I am dancing around my house or doing some type of pilates move on the floor. I think it is among the few ways I actually know how to express myself- when I am Angry, sad, or happy I feel like I convey that emotion best when I am twirling around or stretching, or leaping ... it's just what I do... and I am not sure if that feeling will ever change. It's like- I put on my tights and feel at home. haha :)
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it's simple enough, but what can beat the feeling of dancing to a really fabulous song and the joy that takes over your body? Any kind of dance... but I'm partial to latin inspired beats
You know my feelings about dance and music... ;))
Just wanted to chime in that I love reading these comments! Go DanicingBranFlakes readers :)
I know I'm late to the game (busy week!), but I really love reading this and all these comments!
As a little girl, in spite of being tall and clumsy, I insisted upon being called a ballerina and danced days away. Some of my favorite memories are from attending ballets with my dad. He encouraged me in my love for all things dance. He even got me a lovely metal sculpture of a ballerina for my birthday a couple of years ago. So I can't think of dance without thinking of what a great dad I have. :)
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