Wednesday, April 3, 2013

D is for Dancing

I've just come from one of my ballroom dance lessons. As usual, I learned more than just dance steps and technique.

I've always loved to dance. Put some music on and if I wasn't out on the dance floor, I was be-bopping in my chair. The dancing I've always done before the ballroom dance lessons was I guess what you would term "club" dancing. Just getting out there and moving to the music. No steps (unless it was a line dance), just movement. Interestingly, dancing is where I've always felt the least self conscious. As a consequence, I've often been told I'm a really good dancer.

I became interested in ballroom dancing when I was in middle school, perhaps earlier. I would watch ballroom dance competitions on PBS more often than not hosted by Juliet Prowse. I loved the smooth elegance of the waltzes and foxtrots and the fiery stalking moves of the tango and the romanticism of the rumba. As I got older and they stopped airing the competitions on PBS, I gobbled up every dancing movie I could.  I had always thought about taking ballroom lessons but had always left it as a "someday" idea. Last year, I realized I could wait around forever for the exact right time to take lessons, so I bit the bullet and signed up for some introductory lessons at a studio close to my house. I was immediately hooked.

My instructor is the right mix of demanding and gentle for me. I am challenged by what he asks of me and I don't always get the steps perfectly, but he never allows me to feel bad about it or beat myself up about it. I have learned dance steps, yes. I have refined my technique within the different dances most assuredly. But I have also learned patience with myself. I have learned that I can do something difficult and be good at it. I have learned that I can be elegant and graceful--two words I would never have used to describe myself a year ago.

Ballroom dance lessons are the best gift I have ever given myself.

16 comments:

  1. What a lovely thing to do. It sounds like great fun.Enjoyed your post. Good luck with the rest of the A-Z Challenge.
    Ebby

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! Happy blogging, my fellow blogger.

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  2. I love dancing. I would love to ballroom dance with my husband, but he has no interest.

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    1. Perhaps you could join a group class. Test the waters and see if you like it. There are always plenty of partners for either gender to practice with at my studio. I say do it solo if that's what it takes.

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  3. How awesome is that! Congratulations on living your dream! I'm super-chicken myself, so I'll just cheer you on from the sidelines *Waves Mary Banner*

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    1. Why thank you! I'm having the best time. If you're ever in Denver, I'll take you to one of the group lessons. :)

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  4. I love dancing too!! I'm so glad you are loving it!!

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    1. Having a blast! :) Thanks for stopping by.

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  5. Hi Mary..o.k, a couple of funny things about me leaving you a comment.

    1. I've been trying to visit at least 5-10 new blogs a day, say 'hi', etc. and I saw yours. I'm pretty random, myself, so it caught my eye.

    2. When I saw your post on ballroom dancing, I was immediately reminded of another blog I follow who's talking about the same thing. ( http://beajayblock.blogspot.com/)

    3. I couldn't remember the name of their blog, but remembered they left me a comment today, so I went back to find the name....and I saw -you- had left me a comment as well....so, thank you for that!

    Just a very long winded way of saying "Howdy" and have fun with A to Z.

    Oh, and as far as dancing goes, I never tried ballroom, but I used to country line dance back in the day. :)

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    1. Hi Mark! Thanks for stopping by! :) I am also trying to stop by at least 5 different blogs every day and making sure to comment. Thanks for taking the time with mine. Happy blogging!

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  6. I envy anybody who can dance! I'm a terrific dancer - in my head :)
    New follower here from a to z

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    1. I'm a great singer in my head, so between the two of us we might have one of the BEST never-before-seen two-person entertainment shows EVER. ;)

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  7. My ex-husband and I took a few ballroom lessons... there were some issues around leading. That's all I have to say about that! ;)

    Dancing is fun, even if it's just bopping along to the music!

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    1. Oh, Sherilee...you MUST blog about the lessons and the "leading issues". Please, please, please! LOL Have you ever considered taking lessons up again?

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  8. I'm a terrible dancer, but I still love to do it [around the house, that is]. =]

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    1. Dance on, fellow blogger! Dance on! All that matters is that you enjoy it. :)

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