Is it just me, or does there seem to be a new dance fad every couple of months? I mean what’s going on here?! Are we Twerking, Jerking, doing the Dougie? Who knows what the latest and greatest dance craze will be next. While they all sound a little bizarre to this 40-year old ballroom dancer, I can’t imagine a modern world without dance, and new dance fads. Whatever dance keep you moving, having fun, letting go of all that stress and staying fit, is alright by me.

Today we live in a world that begs for connection, and longs for something that can bring us all together. It’s the small ideas that mean the most and create the biggest change in our lives. Something as simple as dancing is often overlooked as just another pastime or hobby. However, has anyone really asked the question, “Why do so many love to dance?”. Is it the music? Is it the moves? Why has something so simple lasted and evolved throughout the ages?

Dancing has transcended space and time as is very much alive and well in virtually every culture around the globe. Even more interesting, there’s no “one way” to dance! Maybe you like the Argentinean tango, the Country Two Step, or Swing. Whatever the style, situation, or place in the world that you dance, dancing brings people together, encourages socializing and is a wonderful means of connection. \

If you took a look back on the history of dancing, you’d be gazing into the far distant past of some of the earliest human civilizations! Human beings have been dancing long even before there was a word for it. Rhythmic body movement is instinctive, connecting people, even if unconsciously, to the rhythms of their own bodies and the rest of  nature. Dancing springs from a human desire for personal expression and social connection, and it feels incredible to let loose.

People dance for all kinds of reasons. To mourn, to celebrate, to heal, to give thanks, to preserve cultural heritage and treasured legends, to demonstrate physical prowess, or to assert individuality, to provoke and to entertain. It’s almost impossible to sit here and list every reason! Perhaps, that’s because dancing is more than just the many benefits that come along with it. It’s is the way we express ourselves when words just aren’t enough.

For trained dancers, or those who take dance lessons, I think most enjoy dancing because it makes the mind and body work together. Structured dancing is something that gets easier with time and effort, and the joy and the passion for it comes from the hard work, and the feeling you get when you achieve something amazing! Dancing allows you to be completely in the moment and present with yourself, giving you the opportunity to grow in ways you never thought possible. How great is that!?

Although some people would compare dance to things like “harmony” or “poetry,” I see it more like – going to my room, shutting the door, blasting some music and dancing like a fool! Why do we dance? Every answer will be different, and that is as it should be. Perhaps the better question is, “Why would we not?” Don’t let life get in the way of something so beautiful. Whatever you have to do, you owe it to yourself to make room in your life for dancing!

If you live in Phoenix, Arizona like me, you can come discover your passion for dances like Salsa, Swing and Country Two Step with us. Our dance studio for adults is located in Mesa, Arizona, just off the 101 highway. Every day we aim to speak with as many people as we can to enlighten them about the beautiful idea of connection through social partner dancing. This is more than just movement; this is dancing!