A cute picture, isn't it? The truth is, for me and many others, dancing can turn around a mood, an outlook, even a situation. We have dancers in class who arrive tired after working all day, and leave less tired. In fact, dancers report being happier after class than when they arrived - they are more energized after exercising. Isn't that something!?
Last night in class, we gathered for the first dance. I started the line (open circle) with a typical hand hold (hands held relaxed at our sides). Dancers joined the line and held hands with the person next to them. But, instead of launching right into the first dance, I started talking about other things. Remarkably, none of the dancers let go of each others' hands. There we were, a group of adults, holding hands. Comfortably. Leisurely. It was wonderful!
From health.com: Whether it's a squeeze of the hand, a big bear hug, a kneading massage, touch is shaping up to be the ultimate mind-body medicine. From lowering blood pressure and heart rate to increasing immune function and relieving pain, getting touched or doing some touching makes you healthier -- not to mention happier and less anxious.
I believe that unless we intentionally create them, there aren't many opportunities during the course of a typical day to touch another person. Dance gives us a safe place to connect with other people, to hold hands, to hold people in our arms and smile at them. Dancing -- going to the Hokey Pokey Clinic -- gives us exercise AND physical connection with other people.
Last night in class, we gathered for the first dance. I started the line (open circle) with a typical hand hold (hands held relaxed at our sides). Dancers joined the line and held hands with the person next to them. But, instead of launching right into the first dance, I started talking about other things. Remarkably, none of the dancers let go of each others' hands. There we were, a group of adults, holding hands. Comfortably. Leisurely. It was wonderful!
From health.com: Whether it's a squeeze of the hand, a big bear hug, a kneading massage, touch is shaping up to be the ultimate mind-body medicine. From lowering blood pressure and heart rate to increasing immune function and relieving pain, getting touched or doing some touching makes you healthier -- not to mention happier and less anxious.
I believe that unless we intentionally create them, there aren't many opportunities during the course of a typical day to touch another person. Dance gives us a safe place to connect with other people, to hold hands, to hold people in our arms and smile at them. Dancing -- going to the Hokey Pokey Clinic -- gives us exercise AND physical connection with other people.
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