Why Dance?

I heard a radio commercial for the Pottstown Ballroom. The commercial emphasized the fitness and the social aspects of ballroom dancing. I was pleased to hear the commercial and I appreciate the gist of it. This picture of Jerry and me is a perfect example of the nice result I am enjoying since my recent quest to improve my fitness level. Yes, I changed my diet, I changed my exercise habits, but mostly I proceeded with an effort to improve the way I feel and the way I look when I dance. It's been a terrific journey and I hope I stay on this road.

This is Sandra Fortuna and Jerry Harrison dancing during the pro-am Silver American style waltz at the Yuletide Ball, Dec 31. We dance because it is a way to answer the question, "What's next?" What's next after you acheive a bit of success in your career, begin to prepare for your future, finish raising your family and paying for your house? This is what's next: dancing, improving your fitness, enjoying the cameraderie, enjoying the sense of moving through time and space, maintaining awareness of your physique and glamour quotient. You can do it all just by participating in partner dancing.

The June Contest was: Answer the question, "Why Dance?"

Winner received a free private lesson.

Entry #1:
Why dance indeed?  In social situations, I can speak, I can sit, I can stand, I can eat.

Most people today never give thought to doing more thatn that. They never even perceive themselves, though accomplished and secure in many ways, participation in an activity that's more exhiliarating than a ferris wheel.

When confronted with dancing they tell themselves: "It's for the young; it's too difficult; I'd look foolish if I tried. What would people thinkof me?"

They, therefore; fearfully, deprive themselves of an enjoyable life experience that is inherent in who we are as humans. Our souls seek music, whether it be ancient drums or symphonic orchestras. Our mind/body organ yearns for physical movement to accompany those rhtyms.

I can speak. I can sit. I can stand. I can eat, and I can DANCE!!! Jerry Digilio

Entry #2:
Hi Sandy,  always fun to reply to your emails.  Here are my current thoughts.

In a word transcendence!  Like a tidal wave sweeping up everything in its path, dance sweeps you up into another sphere - another time and place.  When everything is right - the movements, timing, connection -  you become one with your partner and the music.  These are the moments we keep returning to experience.

Although there's a lot of fun to be had during an afternoon or evening of dancing, it is those few magical and mysterious interstices of otherworldliness that keep us coming back to the dance floor again and again. Barbara Malinsky

Entry #3:
Here's my answer to you:

People have always asked me from the time I was young, why do you dance.  Generally as a child I would simply answer "because I love it!"  "it makes me happy".  What I couldn't understand as a child is how much deeper that love went.  Every cell in our bodies has their own vibration that relates to themselves and also to all the cells around them in their own dance.  Our entire being is made up of an inate, primal dance.  As I got older and people asked what do you do, I would say "I am a dancer".  It is who I am.  And now at this stage in my life going thru personal turmoil I realize how much it brings me to life and IS life.  I dance not only because I want to, but because I HAVE to.  It makes my heart sing and my mind have some sanity.  Just as oxygen feeds my muscles, dancing feeds my soul.  It does make me happy.  It makes me feel beautiful in the moment - everything else stands still and all that is left is the dance.  I love it.   


See you Saturday - FINALLY!!! (i've been dancing behind closed doors in my house as I have been moving in and making it my own...) Rachel Nace (the winner by votes at the Garden Party)

Entry #4:
Hi, Sandra,

I enjoyed chewing on this one. Below are my thoughts and feelings.

"Why Dance?"

In 2002, about a month after starting social dance classes, I experienced the first big payoff of all beginner dancers. I looked more polished on the dance floor than someone who has never taken lessons. People noticed and began to compliment my dancing. About a year later when I began ballroom, I didn't know it at the time, but I had signed up to become a dance student for the rest of my life. If I heard that there was a dance going on, or there was a class I could take somewhere that night, the decision "to dance or not to dance" was already made, and it was always to dance.  Luckily, I found others like me and saw that we are kind to each other. We're the ones who show up all week with our shoe bags and our blisters.

People dance for different reasons and benefit from dancing in many ways. But the reason I love dancing is that sometimes I experience joyful moments where I sense that I'm part of something magical and much greater than myself. Being in communion with my partner, by knowing the steps and how to maintain a connection, make it possible. But, like knowing all of the bidding conventions, this is not the whole  game. Dancing is joyful when knowing the rules become a canvas for spontaneous expression which, for me, is inspired by really exciting or soulful music. For a few seconds, I stop thinking about my feet, hips, and rib cage, or my arms, hands, and head. The dance is in my face, in my bounce, in my energy. The pros make it look so easy, yet shedding the awkwardness and unnatural movements that were there at the beginning to find the perfection and grace, is an amazing challenge. I felt the magic for a few moments last Saturday at the Moorestown Rotary Club Dance while dancing swing with Marty to "Mustang Sally". It made the whole night worthwhile. Jane Baginski