Why dance?

On my third week learning the lindy hop, I was asked by one of my dancing partners why I was learning this dance. Was it because of Strictly Come Dancing? I replied, “No.” And I wasn’t lying.

I dance because I love it and somehow I know I can do it. To me, if you can simply tap your feet or bop your head to the rhythm of the music, then it is more than likely that you can dance, too! But of course, that is simply said than done. Dancing has some order that one needs to learn. It also requires some discipline like the trivial ones of hand placement (on your partner) or where to put your feet so you won’t step into somebody else’s to the more structured ones such as how to move about the dancefloor. The joy of dancing is having that sense of achievement that one is able to combine all those matters within a single dance track.

Dancing also brings some additional delights like meeting people and keeping you fit — the latter being one of the main reasons why I dance. For me, dancing is much more fun than running on a treadmill or lifting weights.

The costumes — including the shoes (oh the shoes!) — complete a real dancing experience. What you wear should not only provide comfort but also to help you get into the character of the dance. It offers me an escape from my own reality even for that one song. If you’re dancing the Argentine tango, then sexy dresses and smart suits will surely help you bring out the passion that is required. For ballroom dances, wearing a princess gown will make your twirls more dramatic and sweeping.

These are my reasons why I dance. What about you? If you are not dancing yet, what reasons would make you take the first step?