What I Learned in Church: The Benefit of Dance Lessons

This past Sunday, I was invited to participate in a unique and wonderful ballroom dance experience at my church.  Our Pastor has been presenting a series on love and relationships leading up to Valentine’s Day.  As part of his sermon relating ballroom dance to the dance of life, the dance of marriage partners, and our dance with God, he invited me to perform a short Foxtrot with one of my students (Kathy Dupuy) during the Sunday service.  As a result, he and his wife also came to me for a private ballroom dance lesson.

It was one of the most fun and rewarding performances that I have given!  The dancers on stage, including our Pastor and his wife, inspired the entire congregation to take their own partners into the aisles and dance.

After the service, so many church friends approached me with the comment, “I loved dancing with my wife (or my husband) this morning.  We had so much fun but, we want to learn how to dance the way you do!”

This thought has lingered in my mind since Sunday. 

The truth is there is a vast divide between partners swaying to the music in an embrace and the movement of trained ballroom dancers.  Even the most novice social dancers can greatly benefit from private ballroom dance lessons.

Not every student will become a top competitive ballroom dancer.  But, EVERY student can improve the fun of dancing by learning a few basics:

o   The technique of basic figures in a favorite dance style

o   Foot placement

o   Connection with your partner

o   Lead and follow

o   Rhythm and musicality

Knowledge is power!  A fundamental knowledge and understanding of ballroom dance can open up a whole new world of pleasure and fun, especially for a couple! And, private dance lessons are the fastest, most effective way to reach a higher level of fun – fast!

This Valentine’s Day, give your sweetheart a gift that will last a lifetime – the gift of dance!