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Dance as a Vehicle for Personal Growth (and Fun!)
Over the next two months, I’m embarking on a new dance adventure, something I’ve never done before as an adult dancer. Even though it’s a new experience for me, that very fact makes it fit naturally into my lifelong dance journey.
While dance has always been a source of great joy for me, it has also served as a vehicle of personal growth. Every time I try a new dance style, attempt that challenging move one more time, or push myself outside of my dance comfort zone, I improve my dancing skills while also gaining confidence and self-awareness. I’ve learned how to handle anxiety and recover from mistakes while learning new choreography or practicing technique.
It doesn’t matter if you’re considered a professional, an amateur or a hobbyist. Dance offers these benefits to anyone willing to try moving their bodies to music. The brilliant thing is dance also doesn’t care how old you are. You can gain more confidence as an 80-year old dancer just as much as you can as a 15-year old dancer.
Since moving to Maine, I’ve been able to challenge myself with dance styles other than ballroom, including ballet, modern, jazz and hip hop. Ballet has been my most consistent study. It is my chance to work on the more technical aspects of my dancing, while my weekly Zumba class allows me to let the joy flow freely.
