Posts Tagged ‘learning to Ballroom dance’

Benefits of Learning to Ballroom and Swing Dance

Learning to dance can have a number of benefits for school age children and adults.  The benefits of learning how to dance reach far beyond just learning dance steps.  Benefits of dance include:

• Improve health through exercise, development of coordination, and increase muscle tone
• Decrease in anxiety, fear and stress by giving a physical outlet to release tension while generating good feelings by being with others
• Increase self-awareness, creativity, self-expression and new ways of thinking and doing
• Learn to work together with a partner to accomplish goals and achieve higher success
• Create powerful social and emotional bonds by moving students out of isolation and create a team environment where everyone is a key player
• Improve self-esteem, body image issues, depression, attentiveness, focus and communication skills
• Stay calm and grounded to better face life’s challenges

Life Lessons in Ballroom and Swing Dancing

I think there are many life lessons inadvertently taught while students are learning to dance.  Some are comical like:

• “Ladies start with the right foot because the lady is always right!’
• “Ballroom dancing’s line of dance is like NASCAR… Drive fast and turn left.”
• “He’s leading, so what ever happens is his fault.  Now that he knows that ladies, you don’t have to tell him.”
• “There are no mistakes… only variations.”

Others help you in social situations:

• “Guys, as long as she is still smiling, you are doing okay.”
• “It is better to make a decision and lead a mistake then make no decision and send mixed signals.  Nobody can follow mixed signals.”
• “Keep going!  As long as your feet keep moving, you are still dancing.  You don’t stop until the music does.”
• “Leading is the combination of inviting the lady to go somewhere and than getting out of her way so she can get there.”

But, I think Robert summed it up beautifully:

“Dancing is moving to the music without stepping on anyone’s toes, pretty much the same as life. ”

  ~Robert Brault 

At ZeDiamond Dance Method, we have a simple mission:

“We are a collection of Drummers, Dancers, Teachers and Cultural Creatives who inspire peace and joy while developing connection, groundedness and inner rhythms through the teachings of ZeDiamond Dance Method.”

We know there are great benefits to learning how to dance… other than learning how to dance and staying off your partner’s toes.  Dance has brought a richness and fullness to my life that I don’t think I would have found otherwise.  Every time I accept an invitation dance or help a student learning a new step, I know I am adding something to their lives too.   

See you out on the dance floor,

Amy Barnes

ZeDiamond Dance Method