The power of dance

Have you ever been so overwhelmed by hearing or seeing something that it made you want to jump or dance? I know I have, and I have my own dance moves that I do every time I get excited. Well, if you're thinking...obviously she will, she's a dancer! You are wrong. When most people talk about dance, they think of professionals dancing on stage, moving gracefully and impressing audiences with their flexibility. It's not true, it's not what dance is about. Dancing is just putting together movements and making a piece out of them. Nothing in the definition of dance says you have to be professional and flawless. From that happy little dance you do to dancing at someone's wedding to partying at a club; it's all called dancing. The most intriguing fact about dancing is that there is no right way of dancing. As long as it makes you happy, you can dance.

Dance is also known as the hidden language of the soul because we use it to express ourselves when words fail. The joy of dancing can sometimes help us overcome heartache and adversity. Dance teaches us the significance of movement and fitness in a variety of ways through a selection of disciplines. It helps us learn to coordinate muscles and to move through proper positions. Dance can heal you in a way that nothing else can. The literature on dance and healing suggests that through dance, with its physical, cognitive, and cultural dimensions, a person may gain a sense of control related to stress and pain. There are at least four ways of getting a sense of control through dance that may enhance healing. These are 1. possession by the spirit manifested in dance. 2. mastery of movement 3. escape or diversion from stress and pain and 4. confronting stressors to work through ways of handling their effects.

Moreover, it is a worthwhile activity to pursue no matter your age. You just need to find a way to make it enjoyable. For me, I feel most alive when I'm dancing. My world becomes one where everything is just me and my feelings, and I forget everything else. There are various types of dance forms to explore and learn. You will be surprised by the uniqueness of each form and how the dancers bring out their culture while dancing. Read about them and try the ones you find most effective! And please, don't hesitate from taking classes if you want.

So give yourselves time to think the next time you say "I can't dance."

DO YOU DANCE?

• YES
• NO