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

“The stag line hangs out by the pool tables, the popcorn machine or the video games.  The stags tote long-necked beer bottles, lean against the posts, check out the ladies and pump up their courage to actually ask someone to dance.  These cowboys equate to bachelor moose in the forest who have yet to acquire a harem.

Types commonly found on the stag line include:

• Championship Dancers - Could have won every dance contest they ever saw; planning to enter one soon.
• Don Juans - Profess to have choice of any lady in the place; know (in a Biblical sense) or know someone who has been romantically involved with anyone you point out; waiting for the “right” lady to ask out; then waiting some more.
• Great Debaters – Will argue any side of any topic; can deliver colorful, impassioned and nearly-informed oration on important matters.
• Heavyweight Champs – Weigh over 250 pounds; sincerely pledge to defend anyone whose person or honor is in jeopardy; get wet eyes from even minor expressions of gratitude; fond of calling people, “little buddy”.
• Major Leaguers – Recount sports trivia expertly; willingly review their own heroic athletic achievements; can explain precisely how to pitch no-hitters, bowl 300 games and catch fifteen pound bass; considering the Iron Man competition.
• Millionaires-In-Training - Buy drinks for buddies until the bartender delivers a pot of coffee; listen to Zig Zigler tapes; have inside tips and hot ideas; work in insurance or investment sales; will be wealthy as soon as commissions multiply.
• Race Car Drivers - Relate exciting automotive exploits; have many tickets; insurance premiums reflect their prowess; do their own mechanical work; drive Camaros with primer spots, which means any Camaro, rather than pick-up trucks.
• SBDs (Silent But Deadly) - Can flatulate on cue, with or without the finger pull; able to control smell, sound and direction, they say; journeymen can toot a reasonable facsimile of “Three Blind Mice”.

Excerpt form “Paul McClure’s Country Dance Etiquette” by Paul McClure

Why is the Stag Line important?

To be honest, that all depends on you.  If you are looking for conversation about topics other than dancing, cruising the room for your next date, or you want to try to talk someone else into buying you a drink from the bar… then the stag line is for you.  The stag line is a collection of people who enjoy the atmosphere of the dance hall, but have other social agendas – a.k.a. not there to dance.  Many of the people on the stag line have never tried to learn how to dance or have only tried briefly and had a bad experience so they quit trying to learn. 

If you have come to the dance to DANCE, then you may wish to avoid the stag line.  The stag line may offer much entertainment to you if you are taking a break to rest your feet, but no amount attention you pay them will move them closer to the dance floor.

What’s a girl to do if her partner is really on the Stag Line?

Well, part of what keeps people on the stag line is fear… fear of the unknown, fear of trying something new, fear of failure and fear of looking unattractive in front of other people.  You may have noticed that many on the stag line consider themselves “experts” in their field.  They want to be the best at something – sports trivia, reckless driving, business, or just want to be the smartest person in the room.  Well, having to admit that you do not know how to dance and going through the growing pains of beginner dancers may just be too much for their egos to handle.

If someone on the stag line is ever going to make the transition to the dance floor, they will do it only if they feel that they are in a comfortable and no-threatening place.  The ballroom party, swing dance or night club may not be the best place to get started.  Learning to dance at home may be a more suitable venue to try out those first few dance steps.

A new and innovative way to learn to dance is with ZeDiamond Dance Method – Learn the East Coast Swing two DVD set.  This DVD set lays all the basics for learning to swing dance in the comfort of your own living room, kitchen or den.  This is great for the person who is too shy to learn to dance in front of other people.  You can even close your blinds and curtains so you neighbors don’t even see you dancing for the first time.

ZeDiamond Dance Method is also great for someone who has tried to learn to dance in the past, but gave up because they became frustrated.  The DVD’s  make it easy to learn to East Coast Swing Dance, because you can rewind them as many times as you like, play them as often as you need to and review what you have learned just before heading out the door to the next dance party. 

East Coast Swing is a great first dance to learn.  Swing is a very universally known dance and danced many places – country bars, ballroom dances, swing parties and night clubs all play music that is approprate for East Coast Swing dancing.  Once you have this dance under your belt, you will have many opportunities to show off your new found dance skills.

I hope to see you off the stag line and out on the dance floor,

Amy Barnes

ZeDiamond Dance Method