It’s been eight months exactly since I decided that the world needs more dancing. For me, this was two months of a ten-minute daily dance session with myself. Sometimes two a day… and sometimes not by myself.
I dance to have a safe place to express my emotions. I dance to invite joy and playfulness into my life. I dance to keep my heart open. I dance to let the sadness, anger, shame, and guilt move through my body. I dance for the women in my family who didn't have the time to play. I dance for the people of this world who can't dance because of war, oppression, depression, physical limitations, or whatever the reason. I dance for my nieces and the battles they will face in their lifetime being a woman in this world.
Here is what has happened since I’ve invited more dancing into my life:
Several people offered to dance with me.
My breath work sangha has implemented a weekly dance party on Tuesdays after we breathe together on Zoom.
My bestie in Arizona and I have FaceTime dance party dates.
My 9-year-old niece and nephew are into my dance parties - Our music choices differ occasionally but we compromise.
My cousin texted me that her husband was feeling anxious and her suggestion of dancing to their wedding song calmed him.
I danced in the treetops of Costa Rica and started some dance parties. I even found some great new Latin music to groove to.
A new friend I had never met in person needed a dance session and we danced at 9:30 pm together on Zoom.
My sister said, “Enough with your dance parties.” I said, “Biiiiiiiitch… don’t kill my vibe.”
I took a pole dancing class and was quite humbled by the practice I was going to need to put in.
The day after pole dancing I found myself in search of a chiropractor. That was two months ago and I have not been back on the pole since.. I will be back someday to pole dancing class to use the 5 additional sessions I pre-paid for.
I danced in the rain… many times.
I had a post yoga class dance party with Leslie Moore and were kindly asked to turn the music down because we were disturbing the healing happening upstairs… whoops!
My boyfriend and I performed the dance from Pulp Fiction in character as Mia Wallace & Vincent Vega and we won best couples Halloween costume.
Dancing has increased my capacity to do hard things… like making Instagram reels. Check out this one of some of my fav dancing moments.
A special shout out to a few of you who have inspired me to dance - Madi Smedley, Megan Swanson, Lizzo, Kayla Slusher, Amanda Comi, Courtney Wilhide, Brandon Barnhard, and many more!!