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Turns in Dance and Life
Read more: Turns in Dance and LifeBasic moves in Viennese Waltz are natural (clockwise) and reverse (counterclockwise) turns, with change steps (a three-count connecting figure) in between. As my ballroom dance teacher has been breaking these down for me to practice, I’ve been reflecting once again on how dance mirrors life. With my family life, I view getting married and having…
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Out of My League
Read more: Out of My LeagueThe phrase “out of my league,” with a sports origin, refers to a skill too advanced for one’s current level. This weekend I volunteered as a substitute in a local bowling league, to try something new and because the 2023 documentary Join or Die (based on the 2000 book, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival…
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Scary and Fun
Read more: Scary and FunToday my ballroom dance teacher Fitz and I worked on our Viennese Waltz show dance routine. He is challenging me, a longtime bronze level dancer, out of my comfort zone with silver and gold level choreography moves. The more complex footwork beyond basic natural and reverse turns includes progressive running steps and a “slingshot” move,…
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Lightbulb Moments
Read more: Lightbulb MomentsAt yesterday’s ballroom dance lesson, my teacher Fitz and I worked on cleaning up my Viennese Waltz footwork. I’m learning to dance independently (before going into dance hold), to clearly understand the mechanics of every movement with reverse turns, natural turns, change steps, etc. There was a moment when the lightbulb went off in my…
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Small World Discoveries
Read more: Small World DiscoveriesLast weekend when I was out social Swing dancing, an older man who asked me to dance shared the exact address where he grew up when he introduced himself. I was speechless because a) that is not something one typically does, and b) it turns out that he grew up right across the street from…
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Swing Dance Freedom
Read more: Swing Dance FreedomLast night I enjoyed a Swing Dance party in the city with live music. Today I had fun at a kite festival in rural MA on a perfect summer day. As an introvert, it takes energy for me to motivate to get out to events with crowds, but I always enjoy the uplifting feeling from…
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Community Line Dancing
Read more: Community Line DancingThe last few weeks I signed up for beginner line dancing lessons in my town, held at the local VFW building that has a stage and dance floor. It was taught by an enthusiastic young woman who is a competitive line dancer at her university and was home for the summer. I had only tried…
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Off Script
Read more: Off ScriptToday I enjoyed a transcendent dance lesson with my teacher Fitz, as we started preparing a show dance for competitions and charity events. We focused on Waltz, Tango, and Viennese Waltz and combined steps from different levels (Bronze and Silver) and styles (International Standard and American Smooth). Instead of practicing Bronze level competition routines, we…
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Starstruck
Read more: StarstruckSeveral weeks ago I attended Derek Hough’s Symphony of Dance Encore show in Boston with a VIP ticket I splurged on last winter, when I was immersed in Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) Season 34. I was starstruck to meet the Emmy-winning choreographer/dancer/actor/singer/tv personality, take this joyous photo with him, and participate in the Q&A…
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“So much happening”
Read more: “So much happening”Ballroom dancing is a gorgeous and challenging art form. In today’s lesson I had fun continuing to practice the Waltz, Tango and Viennese Waltz with my outstanding teacher Fitz. We talked and laughed about “so much happening” in every single moment. Feet, legs, torso, arms, hands, back, neck, head all have their roles and must…
Life Lessons from the Dance Floor
inspirational musings from a dancing scientist
Dance Quotes
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul…The body says what words cannot…Great dancers are not great because of their technique; they are great because of their passion.” – Martha Graham
“To dance is to be out of yourself – larger, more powerful, more beautiful.” – Agnes de Mille
“Do it big, do it right, and do it with style.” – Fred Astaire
“Dancing is silent poetry.” – Simonides
“There are shortcuts to happiness, and dance is one of them.” – Vicki Baum
“…nobody’s secure, and nobody feels like she completely belongs…But some people dance anyway, and those people have more fun.” – Glennon Doyle
“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning how to dance in the rain.” – Vivian Greene
