What’s it all about, Dancing?

Below, you will find what dancing has meant to some of our dancers . For some, it’s a chance to finally to do something that they’ve promised themselves they would do. For others, it’s a great way to break up the stress built up from the daily grind. It’s an alternative to the gym for some or another way of staying in shape. Still for others, it’s a chance to meet people without the discomfort of bars or clubs. We’ve been told that it’s a reintroduction of the “date night” for some couples. I’ve heard it’s also a chance to be near me (Anthony). Whatever it means to you, for every dancer there can be a unique experience.

“I (heart) dancing. I’ve always done what I should do and now I am doing what I want to do. I recognize it as a selfish indulgence, as I dance for myself. For the first time in my life, I feel a sense of grace and strength within and I love that it brings me joy every time. I just wish I had discovered it sooner, as it would have saved me months of therapy…”
-Debby

“I am a creative person – except in the area of movement. I always feel like the bull in the china shop. I never danced, I never went to a dance, and I didn’t really want to. BUT, I have always had an interest in ballroom dancing. For some reason I decided it was time to challage myself. I almost fainted in the first class from dance-a-phobia . I mean really, how embarassing to move around to music in public!!! I stuck with it, and the thing is, I finally “get it” I feel creative when I dance and even cornier, it makes me feel pretty. So who can argue with that? It’s good for you, its fun, and it makes you feel good about yourself.”
-Tyn Atol

“We keep hearing spiritual teachers talk about the benefits of ‘being in the moment”. Dancing is like a meditation, once you let go of your thoughts about it,
time becomes only a theory having no relevance on the dance floor – instead it’s as though everything else about your day or week melts away as you and the other person you are dancing with become completely present to this moment. It’s nearly impossible to be dancing and thinking about your grocery list at the same time!”
-Kerry Aldridge

Dancing opened up an entirely new line of communication for my husband and me – one without words, but lots of magic.
-Patricia

“Dance is another way for me to find a creative outlet for the artist within. There is something youthful in the physical expression of dance that cannot be duplicated in the other arts. The ability to connect to another is very direct.”
-Christopher Brown

“…When I first was introduced to ballroom dance by my best friends, Tomomi and David, I was shy and insecure…. Since then I feel more open to talk to people and to start new frienships…”
-Alexandra

“For me, it’s doing something I’d always dreamt of as a little girl; for him it’s lot of work!”
-Anonymous

“To dance is to finally communicate everything I couldn’t get out with words.”
-Mrs. Kat Negrete

“It is a means to exercise, to release stress, and to meet people but also a means to build up confidence so when I am out, I am not embarrassed to ask someone to dance. It is something I have always wanted to know how to do and hopefully I can add more besides the Salsa lessons.”
-Tom Villareal

“Once a dancer, always a dancer. But what to do after 45? Ballroom is as easy or as hard as you want it to be. You can do it till you drop and have lots of company along the way.

Dancing is the most beautiful expression of one’s self. Music and body combine to make art. What more could you ask for?

So happy to know that my dancing days aren’t over and to have found such a great teacher and supporter in Susannah and Anthony.”
-Joni Hamilton

“When I was just old enough to go to dances, I was taller than all the boys. I spent many longing hours as a wallflower. Then I finally met a man who loved to dance. We began lessons with Susannah before we went on a cruise in 1992. It was so fun we resumed lessons after we returned and have continued ever since. Susannah is the most positive, creative, sweet and kind teacher ever. Dancing is such fun it doesn’t even seem like healthy exercise. It keeps the romance alive in our marriage. I imagine myself wearing fabulous ball gowns when we Foxtrot or do the Viennese waltz. I feel like the luckiest girl at the party.”
-Andrea

“I ONLY dance at Ballroom Blitz just to have a few yucks with you and Susannah. I tried other places and they don’t make me laugh like you guys do. Alright, sure I do it to be around people outside of work but your students are a whole lot more fun than other schools because you make it so much more relaxed. And yes I come to avoid the whole club/bar scene although it’s ok if it’s with my classmates. I only wish the salsa classes could go on for a few hours longer,that someone would spill a drink on me and that there was a bouncer out in front just to give it a semi club feel but hey, can’t have it all. I dance because it’s the most exercise I can do without the mind numbing boredom of actually working out and it’s so much more fun a treadmill….”
-coco

“I’ve always loved dancing. The first time I can remember dancing to a song I really like was “Bus Stop” when I was around 6 years old. Disco was the “IN” thing during my teenage years and to date, I still love to do the “Hustle”. I regularly go to dance clubs for freestyle, techno and hip hop. This year, I wanted to be able to do one dance performance on my birthday party. I really have not taken any dance classes until last September. So, for the past year, I’ve been going at least twice a week and have learned how to do the Salsa, Cha cha, Rumba, Samba, Argentine Tango, Hustle and more. I’ve even created an instructional dance video for my birthday guests to do a special line dance number. Dancing is a good work out, a stress reliever, and a chance to meet great people.”
-Oyie

“Dance is what music looks like!”
-Richter The Grey Bastard

“Dance is all of the mentioned benefits, a Win-Win proposition. Tango can be discussed Tuesday in class.”
-Kevin