The Benefits of Dance

There are many, many benefits of dance.  Just to name a few, there is coordination, flexibility, correct posture, balance, sequencing, cooperation and rhythm, but Miss Leah pointed out a few more benefits to me on our way home from dance classes last night. 

She asked me if I had noticed the dancers as they danced the “fun dance,” or last dance of the classes.  She asked me if I noticed how much many of the girls’ eyes sparkled as they danced so freely around the room — as if they hadn’t a care in the world.

I told her that I had noticed this last week.  It especially became obvious to me when a new girl joined the Hollywood jazz class.  I noticed how shy, reserved, and inhibited she was during the fun dance because she wasn’t in the winter session and didn’t know anyone (yet).  I remember how all of the girls were this way when they first started.

Then, I noticed the other girls and how they danced together – some in pairs, dancing with their new friends arm in arm, and others just enjoying the music, dancing all over the room with their sparkly eyes.  It so warms my heart to see how they have all grown, not only as dancers, but also in their self-confidence, and as creative movers with their bodies and facial expressions.

As Miss Leah likes to say “Dancing with your feet is one thing, but dancing with your heart is another.” 

Our dancers were really dancing with their hearts last night!

I hope you dance too,

Kris