Reasons To Love Dancing
Ten Reasons to Love Ballroom Dancing
If you are reading this the chances are you are either interested in ballroom dancing, you are a ballroom dancer or you are curious about what the attraction of ballroom dancing might be. There are many.
Perhaps you’ve seen the very popular film Strictly Ballroom, or Come Dancing on the TV or Dancing with the Stars there as well, and you are now wondering what all the fuss is about. Well look no further. Here’s a beginners guide, or should I say list, of the ten reasons to love ballroom dancing and to get out there and learn. What you see on TV is not what will be expected from you. You are in control of what you do and how much you do.
Reason 1– The music
Ballroom and latin dance music is quite simply fabulous and it makes you want to dance. I defy anyone to listen to ‘Shout It Feel It’ by the Count Basie Orchestra and not want to at least tap their feet! Dancing aside there has been a resurgence in interest in jazz and swing music, Michael Buble and Jamie Cullum being two modern exponents of the genre, and this has only helped Modern Ballroom Dancing to once again capture the public imagination.
Being a fan of all types of music from Pink Floyd to Richard Thompson but nothing quite matches the sound of a big band and that’s why I think the music is only one very good reason to love ballroom dancing. The Romance of Rhythm.
Reason 2 – Social Interaction
Ballroom Dancing is now becoming popular again. So turn off the television and go out and meet real people for a change. “GoggleBox” is maybe not the way you should look at yourself, well if that being the case there is no need to read on.
Ballroom Dancing is a wonderful opportunity to learn new skills and meet new friends in a safe and friendly non-smoking and usually non-drinking environment.
Terriffic for rekindling the romance in your relationship be it with your wife, husband or partner. Or if you’re single – Who knows, the next partner in your beginners class could be your soul mate. I kid you not because it has happened and you immediately have dancing in common, what better start. You are both there for the same reason and wanting to meet people.
Reason 3 – Health benefits
According to researchers social dancing provides the body with many health benefits. It may help reduce stress, increase energy, and improve strength, muscle tone, and co-ordination. Dancing can also burn as many calories as walking or riding a bike.
One factor that determines how many calories you will use is the distance you travel while dancing. The best part of dancing is the fun you can have while you’re doing something great for your body because your heart and bones don’t know whether you are jogging, in the gym or dancing!
Not just the body but the mind as well because as you get older the mind tends to slows down and learning new dances all the time slows that process dramatically. You can feel more vitalic.
Reason 4 – The people you meet
Like most walks of life dancing attracts all kinds of people but by far the majority of dancers are really nice people to know and great fun to be with, because they are out there for the same reason you are. If you have a partner to dance with, great. If not you soon will. Think about this. There you are with arms extended inviting a person you have maybe never met before or not even know their name to hold you and not get arrested. Try doing that in Hay Street? Welcome that feeling both in yourself and that other pertson.
Reason 5 – You get to dress up
It’s fair to say that ballroom dancing went through a phase where the ladies wore some quite strange outfits. But today layers of petticoats and lace have given way to flowing ball gowns and glamorous figure hugging designer chic.
For men socially of course tail suits are not worn now days but everybody loves the chance to dress up and wear nice clothes and what better occasion than a ballroom dance because its special and you are worth it as is the partner you will be dancinmg with.
Reason 6 – You can be competitive
We humans are a competitive lot and dancing is no different. There is a vibrant and active competitive circuit at all levels of ballroom dancing from professional through to beginner. Even if stepping out with a number pinned to your back isn’t appealing you can still join in and shout your support from the wings. Ballroom Dancing is a multi-level pastime and all you need do is settle at the level and the type of dancimng you are comfortable with You will not be out of place.
Contrary to popular belief competitive ballroom dancing isn’t a genteel pastime, quite the opposite and anyone attending a competition for the first time might be surprised by the experience. Competitions are definitely a reason to love ballroom dancing!
Reason 7 – You can do it all over the world
Ballroom dancing is popular the world over and if you travel you will find kindred spirits in all four corners of the globe. Some countries are more actively involved in dancing than others but you will seldom be far from a dance hall or studio wherever you may roam.
Reason 8 – You can make people envious
Nobody likes a ‘Show Off’, maybe not all together true, but there’s a fine line between showing off and simply doing something you enjoy. In life we are all performers one way or another and you will have put a lot of effort into your pastime, so why not practice what you feel.
There are many social situations where being able to dance is a positive boon and many people have taken up dancing after being at a wedding and watching people who can dance take to the floor wishing it was them. So another way of looking at this is if you dance at a social event you may well be encouraging others to take up dancing too! So go for it, strut your stuff, show um’ what your made of.
Reason 9 – It’s hard
Do you play golf? Golf’s hard and week after week you may go back to the course and week after week the course beats us. Dancing is hard too. Week after week I go to lessons and come away safe in the knowledge that there is still much to learn. But this isn’t a bad thing. It is a challenge.
Learning and perhaps mastering things that are hard is part of the human condition and dancing will present you with a lifetime of learning opportunities and the associated feeling you get when you master just one small part of it. Like golf, dancing is rewarding and fun because it’s hard.
Reason 10 – It’s just fun!
Whatever the level of dancing you achieve you will have fun.
From the beginners taking to the floor for the first time, often with a terrified look on their face, through to seasoned professionals strutting their stuff at a dance demonstration dancing makes you feel alive and it makes you smile. That’s got to be a great Reason to love ballroom dancing……it never fails