Dancer's Blog

Dance Can Lift Your Spirits (and even save your life)

2012-02-01T15:09:00.000-08:00

Nearly five years ago I was offered a full-time job in another city. I rented my home and moved my belongings. A week later after I moved to this other city, the owner pulled the job offer. I found myself jobless and homeless. My home was occupied by renters and I had no income. One of the reasons I moved to this other city was to pursue dance teaching and to attend a ballroom dance teaching college in the evening. After the shock of the job loss passed I found a dance studio that I could study, practice, and teach while I looked for a job. Every day from noon to 10 pm I made dancing my job – studying the syllabus, reviewing videos, and attending classes. Within three months I had 10 students and was dancing. My income was low, but I was enjoying every day.

I have heard that dancing had many benefits. At the studio I felt safe. The dancing made me feel good physically and mentally. It gave me purpose and provided daily joy. The camaraderie with fellow teachers and students was intoxicating. Having a reason to get up every day and looking forward to dance was the difference between life and death of my spirit.

Are you in a blue mood? Is there stress in your job? Well turn on the music and dance. One day back in my dorm room, I blasted Madonna songs and danced until I collapsed of exhaustion into happiness. Dance has obvious physical health benefits. Sometimes the physical benefits of dance are not achieved because of the condition the mind and spirit is in. There were days that the difference between feeling down and feeling good was music and dancing. Body movement and music create endorphins in the body that makes you feel good. But it goes further than that. When one is dancing to music, there is no room for negative thoughts or feelings. It keeps a person in the present. No time for guilt or worry. For four minutes at a time there is nothing to think about except the dance and the music. Ballroom dancing adds another aspect of sociability and communication with others. There are many dancers who claim that dance has saved their lives. I am one of them.

Yours truly,

Larry Rindner

Lose 12 in 2012

2012-01-06T12:27:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone! I am sure you had a great Christmas - New Year Holiday period. I did and "boy" am I paying for all the good food, company and fine wine that I had. It is a shame when your favorite pair of Hugo Boss pants don't fit anymore. Thank heavens for the Fat Jeans....

So I am inviting you to join me in attempting to lose 12 pounds in 2012. The studio is going to have a weigh in at Dance Bethesda each night, starting Monday, January 9th. Come join me in this exciting way to fight the flab and get back in some form of aerobic fitness. At the end of February we will re-weigh everyone and have prizes for those that have lost some of their Christmas pudding.

The goal is to be 12 pounds lighter by the end of April, though I am hoping to lose it quicker than that.

Conditions of this little competition are easy. You must attend 2 of our 12 in 2012 classes, designated by a *star on our class calendars and any other class during the week. Get weighed in during the first week of competition and again at the end of February. You must lose a minimum of 8 lbs to qualify for one of our first prize givings. That should be easy enough......

I will be blogging about my experience and would love to hear about yours.

What will be the hardest part for me is not eating late at night after classes/lessons, limiting myself to one full glass of wine per night - not a never emptying glass, and cutting out the potato chips and french fries. Did anyone mention Pizza.....ssshhhhh!!!!! Plus get some exercise. Looks like the dogs will get some longer walks.

As well Ladies I will be having a Dance Card up at the studio, so you can help me dance the tummy away.

See you on the dance floor.

Michael

Private Lessons or Classes? - That's a Good Question

2012-01-02T10:55:00.000-08:00

I often get asked "Is it better to start off with private lessons or group classes?"
The answer depends on what your dancing goals are. If you are getting married or have a function to attend, take private lessons. You will be given one on one instruction on how to dance with confidence, technique and style so your event will be a success.

Lessons are also great if your goal is to showcase your new hobby in competition or displays.

Classes are a great way to gain confidence while learning to dance. The pace is slower as you move through the basic steps and normally you change partners to develop your leading and following skills. It is an inexpensive way to learn but a great social activity at the same time.

The perfect world would be to do both. That way you learn steps in a class environment and use your lesson to hone the finer skills and styling.

A lot of my students do both and they find it the most satisfying way to twinkle their toes.

Cheers!

Michael Rye