Archive for April, 2010

There are numerous reasons why people learn to ballroom dance… 

Some are looking for low impact and fun exercise.  Others are looking for a creative outlet to express themselves.  And we can’t forget those who are at the dance lesson to hopefully meet someone, friendship or otherwise.  With whatever goal we have, as we walk into the ballroom dance lesson, we tend to fulfill it and get so much more.  Something happens to us during the dance lesson.  We do learn dance steps… We do learn dance rhythms… We do get to dance with lots of partners (if you rotate partners – and I think you should!)… But is something also changing inside of us?  Does learning to ballroom dance make you a better person? 

Over the years, I have met lots of people though ballroom and swing dancing.  I have watched them grow and change as they learn to dance.  Someone who was mild and meek can learn to embrace themselves and find self confidence that they did not know they had until they stepped out on the dance floor.  That self confidence grows from the dance and spills out into their daily life.  On the other hand, I have seen great egos tumble and fall in ballroom dance lessons to be replaced with a kinder, gentler, and more compassionate partners who have learned the lesson of cooperation and have given up the need to be “RIGHT” all the time.

Can Rhythm, Music and Dancing heal us?

This May, the 21st Annual International Trauma Conference, is featuring workshops on psychological trauma.  One of the workshops offered is titled “Rhythms and their role in Brain Development, Attachment, Companionship and Trauma.”  Here is the quick information on the workshop. 

“Rhythms and music inspire human beings to move and experience their world, their bodies, and one another. Both originate in brain structures and connections involved in moving and feeling, and they guide behavior with a goal-defining sense of purpose and creativity. Intelligent perception, learning, and a sense of sympathy and cooperation in meaning between humans depend on this spontaneous, self-regulating brain activity. Physical imitation, resonance, and mirroring form the foundations of human relatedness. Shared feelings of companionship determine how we acquire knowledge, skills, and the self-confidence to share them.

Disturbances of early communication interfere with the development of interpersonal intelligence, disturb the development of secure and affectionate relationships, and impair learning of cultural meaning, bringing shame. This workshop will explore the nature of these rhythmical and musical interactions, and how the re-establishment of one’s capacity for rhythmicity and musicality offers ways to re-establish a secure sense of self, recognition of others, and joyful appreciation.”

Ballroom and Swing Dancing must be therapeutic

Wow, rhythms and music can do all that!!!  I thought we were just learning dance steps in ballroom dance lessons.  Dance classes can teach us far more than just how to ballroom dance.

I do believe that learning to dance makes us better people.  We learn so much about ourselves and our partners out on the dance floor.  And it seems that we don’t even need to become great dancers to learn these lessons.  Just being in the space, taking the time to listen to the music, to feel the rhythms and then connect with someone else has a very therapeutic quality to it.  Ballroom dancing helps to heal us, balance us and gives us more benefits than we could ever hope for.

What do you say?  Want to take a turn around the dance floor with me?  We both will be better for it.

See you on the dance floor,

Amy Barnes

ZeDiamond Dance Method 

The Wedding Dance  – the next big question.

After popping “THE” question, you get a simple answer. “YES!”  Once wedding planning starts, there are lots of questions.  Many of them answered by the bride and her tribe of helpful workers.  But the big question I see come between couples is the question of the First Wedding Dance.

What song?  What dance? I don’t like that one. Pick another one. Really? Try again.

Truth be told, my husband and I were still working out what song and dance were going to be “our dance” at the wedding reception.  Our DJ told us we had a few minutes to figure it out, or he was going to pick the song we would dance to.   Trust me, you don’t want the DJ to pick “your song” for you.  We settled on (I talked Jason into it),  “I Wanna Be With You” by Mandy Moore and danced a lovely lead and follow Nightclub Two-Step.

Women dream about the wedding dance…
Men dream about getting out of the wedding dance and heading to the bar…

 Okay men.  I know that many of you are intimidated by the thought of dancing with your new bride with everyone watching you.  But the best defense is a good offense.  So let’s get out there and get prepared so this 3 minute dance doesn’t scare the pants off you and drive you to drink.  Believe me, she does not want her wedding dance memory to be of her holding your drunk body upright for the entire song.

What dance do we do to “Our Song”?

Once you have picked your song – narrowing down the dance becomes easy.  Most music only gives you a few choices of dances that match it.  Here is quick guide to help you.

Nightclub Merengue/4 Count Hustle

This covers a wide range of pop and rock songs.  In a pinch, it can stand in for contemporary Cha cha.  With it’s easy footwork and timing, it is quick to learn and very handy when dancing places other than the wedding reception.  Examples of popular songs are:
“Love is in the Air” – H. Vanda & G. Young
“First Kiss” – International Five
“I Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Baby” – Barry White

East Coast Swing/Single Time Swing

This also covers a wide range of pop and rock songs not to mention more traditional swing and blues music.  Swing dancing is very popular and you may find yourself enjoying these dances late into the night and for the rest of your lives together.  Examples of popular songs are:
“The Way You Make Me Feel” – Michael Jackson
“Accidentally in Love” – Counting Crows
“Your Body is a Wonderland” – John Mayer

Foxtrot

This old standard will have you floating across the dance floor.  Young and old enjoy a good Foxtrot.  This style of music is making a comeback  and has become very popular again.  Examples of great old and new Foxtrots are:
“The Best is Yet to Come” – Michael Buble’
“Fly Me to the Moon” – Frank Sinatra
“It Had to be You” – Harry Connick, Jr.

Nightclub Two-Step

This dance was developed by Buddy and Linda Schwimmer (yes, they are Benji’s and Lacey’s parents) to go with all those great ballads and love songs you hear on the radio.  As a beginner, you will dance this as a stationary dance – think of it as fancy version of Prom Dancing.  With a little time and practice, you can make this dance move around the room, gliding the entire time.  Nightclub Two-Steps you may know:
“From This Moment” – Shania Twain
“By Your Side” – Sade
“What a Wonderful World” – Louis Armstrong

Still lost?

You can learn to dance with us in the Asheville NC, area.  A new class is starting soon!!!  The focus of this class it to help people prepare for dancing at spring and summer weddings.  Come join us and learn the 4 dances mentioned above.

Wedding Dance Lessons – at The Farm

Or you can learn to swing dance in the comfort of your own home.  Try our Learn the East Coast Swing DVD and you will be ready to hit the dance floor in a short period of time!

See you out on the dance floor,

Amy Barnes

ZeDiamond Dance Method