Yes, I KNOW You Can Dance

Yes, you. If you can move any part of your body, you can dance.  

I subscribe to the gorgeous dancer/choreographer Lisa Race's definition of dance: All movement.  Very generous and cool that this abundantly talented dancer/sorceress who creates and executes amazing, challenging movement is so inclusive when describing her (and my) art.

I admit, when I first heard Lisa's definition, I was surprised.  But after mulling it over, I realized she's right.  Walking, bending to lift a chair, pivoting to change direction and wiping the frosting off your mouth (hope it was delish:))--they're all dance. Even the dictionary supports this idea with the definition that dance is ..."a successive group of...bodily motions."

Sure, there can be music or rhythmic patterns, but it's not essential.  And, of course, the motion can be stylized and polished into a more presentational or artistic form.  But the body's motion is what's central to dance. 

Since I've viewed how we move through our days as dance, it's been transformative. Magical.  Like the rest of life, it seems to depend on intention and perspective.  There's a show going on right now in your home...and outside your door! 

It's interesting to me that our culture has such a fraught relationship with dance, unlike other cultures where more elaborate dance forms are integral to everyday life and readily embraced. For many Americans, dance is something to be kept at a distance--either emotionally or physically, or both.

Why is dance perceived to be so precious or mysterious or unattainable?  Something relegated to reality TV or shows in which people apparently are judged by other people on how they create art?  (Yes, I may be the only person in America who hasn't watched these  shows.  I'd rather be dancing, y'all.)

In casual conversation, folks often confess to me, embarrassed, that they could never dance, "have two left feet," "used to be a dancer." As if real dance is something only other people can do or do well.  But see above: We're all dancers.

Yesterday in Zumba class, at least 2 or 3 people near me apologized for what they viewed as their shortcomings or "mistakes." Many folks try so hard to follow exactly what the teacher's doing, to do it "right," that they miss the joy of moving, and, frankly, the intensity of the workout because the movement they're doing isn't full.

Although teachers reassure people just to dance and enjoy,  it's the rare person who isn't desperate to stay with the herd.  But as we all know, even if you're barely moving out there in Zumba class or slowly walking around the block, your body and your mood are doing a happy dance of health.  It beats the heck out of sitting home on the couch.

So, if you find yourself watching the judging of whether someone else can dance or you're repeatedly taking a pass on uprooting yourself from the couch, I hope you'll consider getting up.  Move around whatever you can move!  Appreciate all the cool things your body can do!  'Cause now YOU'RE dancing.  And, yeah baby, I know YOU can dance. 

Happy National Dance Day on July 28th.  And happy every day because each day is a Day of Dance.