...to find a physical/social activity that is not only fun, satisfying and rewarding, but also one that meets the needs of my body, spirit, and emotions. The sports, school plays, musical groups, etc. provided to us in high school and college did not (and cannot) meet the totality provided by this new undertaking—social ballroom dancing. The emphasis is on the totality of this form of activity. It requires the ability to use one’s mind to initiate body movements and motions - deliberately and by design - while responding in harmony with a partner, through touch, to a variety of musical rhythms. A number of undertakings that we do provide some benefits to our body, mind, and spirit, but not all three at the same time. That is the beauty of social/ballroom dancing - it is a holistic activity that can be done almost anywhere, by anyone, with little expense.
The use of the body in dancing is evident - cardiovascular conditioning occurs (fights blood pressure and cholesterol), it strengthens weight-bearing bones (challenges osteoporosis), and improves balance, coordination, agility and grace through the maneuverability required. Also, calories are burned, 200-400 per hour depending on the tempo of the music (Mayo Clinic Newsletter, Jan. ’94). Social/ballroom dancing requires that you think and apply what you know, what you have learned regarding 15 dances (Swing, Waltz, Tango, etc.) and their numerous patterns. The mind is challenged, your memory is tested constantly - you have to be mentally engaged. (Research has proven the mind must be used to stall the negatives of aging). For life to be complete, we must have an upbeat spirit and warm emotions. This is where partner dancing has the edge - it provides for touching.
The spirit and emotion comes not only from the music and the dance patterns applied to that music but also from the touching that is required of successful dancing. Only social/ballroom partner dancing and couples ice skating provide the magic of touch. Again research has proven that "touch" is critical to positive human relationships. In the aging process it’s healing power, contribution to emotional support, and a satisfying life, is well documented. We have come to appreciate the importance - and the power - of touch. Only social/ballroom dancing connects people emotionally and provides the opportunity to enjoy a social activity while touching. Dancing has a social component that solitary fitness activities do not. It fights loneliness. Developing strong social ties contributes to self-esteem and a positive outlook. (Mayo Clinic Health Letter, Sept. ’92).
Golf, tennis, bowling, aerobics, TaeBo, or any team sport cannot give you the touch of another human being, while moving in unison to music that is satisfying to the soul. It is the magic of this triad - body, mind, spirit and the emotion that gives Social/Ballroom dancing its well-deserved spot atop the pyramid of activities open to us. It’s a shame that it took me 50 years to find it, but I glory in the fact that I did. It has now become a lifelong journey of growth and awakening to the power of touch, music, and physical agility - of knowing that social/ballroom dancing gives rhythm to the body, melody to the mind, harmony to the soul, and therefore creates a symphony of life.
I have always known
That at last I would
Take this road, but yesterday
I did not know that it would be today
Japan 9th Century
PS These conclusions are the result of dancing with partners throughout the world, teaching social/ballroom dancing in colleges, adult education programs, church groups, and senior centers. One only has to experience the smiles and twinkle in the eyes of an 80-years-old couple reliving the early 40’s, as they dance to Glenn Miller’s "Moonlight Serenade", of the chair-bound holding hands and tapping their feet to "In The Mood." Then there are the thank you notes that said:
by Richard D. Rowray
My wife and I have studied and danced with Rich for over a year now, and find his always upbeat gentlemanliness and expressiveness one of the highlights of our week. Repetition of new steps is done thoughtfully, acknowledging that for many this is new territory on all fronts, or for some it’s simply hard to remember immediately (middle-aged mind melt??). Our classes (and every time we dance now) are times for discovery - one of the joys and wonders of ballroom dancing.
When you dance you discover not just the physical, but the emotional, sensual, and metaphysical. Rich prides himself that his approach to dancing is not one of "studio-like regimentation". - "you must do this move, then this, followed by this." Instead, he give you movements which, as he says "you can find work for you and use them, or you can file away for later, or just toss them out. I’m giving you patterns and steps on how you can help the music MOVE YOU, and for you to move with the music." He calls this "Self-Directed Dancing."
The "move to the music," or "be in the music" idea is a familiar cliché to us 1960’s-70’s generation, but one that is very true. I take this idea a step further and believe Formal Dancing uses form to transcend form. Through it, dancing surpasses the physical by being physical. There are only a few activities in life that are truly transcendent. Dancing is one of them.
Dancing takes you and your partner somewhere beyond yourselves, to a place other cultures highly revere, celebrate, and hold sacred. Behold the joy and ecstasy of dancing together!
Gregory Kovaciny
Copyright, 1999, Gregory Kovaciny, All Rights Reserved.
Contact Greg Kovaciny for commercial use of this material.
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