Everyone has that one thing in their life. That one thing that you can't live without. The thing that defines you, has shaped you into the person you are today. For me this thing is dance. I have been dancing since I was two years old and since my first class it has become one of the biggest parts of my life. Now, 17 years later, I am still studying dance in college and continuing to spend each and every day doing what I love.
One of the most common questions I am asked is "Why do you dance?". In a perfect world, everyone I come into contact with who asked me this question would genuinely want to sit and listen to me go into immense detail as to why I love to dance. But let"s be real, no one wants to listen to that. So I've learned how to summarize why I love to dance into one simple sentence, I love to dance because I love its healing powers.
Dance has always been there for me through some of the hardest times in my life. It has given me an outlet and a healthy way to relieve any stress that I was experiencing. Dance had the power to change my perspective on things and go from being incredibly stressed, to calm and relaxed in a matter of a few minutes. It was and still is one of the most incredible feelings to experience.
Dance has the ability to stir people's emotions and make them acknowledge feelings they may not have even realized they had. There's something so magical about seeing a piece played out in front of you and then, whether it be because of the music or the costumes or a phrase of choreography, being able to connect it to your life. Stirring these kinesthetic responses is one of my favorite things about being a dancer. Getting your audience to feel something is so rewarding as a choreographer and can be even more rewarding as an audience member. Dance can be therapeutic for those performing, and watching.
Dance gives people a way to express themselves when they feel they have no voice. Expression through movement is something so important and it is in fact becoming scientifically proven to be extremely therapeutic and helpful. There is a new and upcoming field called "dance therapy", which is all about helping individuals express and relay themselves through music. Since dance has always helped me, I want to show people how it can help them and give someone a voice when they feel they have none. I would love to one day open up my own dance studio to work with children with special needs.
Dance soothes.
Dance moves.
Dance heals.
And THAT is why I dance.
