Role Reversal: What has dance taught you about life?
February 12, 2009 by Nichelle (admin)
Filed under Blog, For Students, For Teachers/Studio Owners, Perspectives
You Talk, I’ll Listen!
Normally, I provide information or articles that I think are useful to others involved in dance education. Although occasionally guest writers appear here, much of this is from my own perspective. One of the things I truly enjoy about blogs and blogging, however, is the ability for users or readers of the website to add their own comments or perspectives. Often these are offered after I’ve given my own thoughts on a topic. Sometimes, though, I get tired of doing all the “talking!” I am curious what the people reading this blog think!
So, I’d like to try something new on Dance Advantage. I will occasionally offer some Role Reversal style posts. My goal with these entries is not to talk, but, listen to what you have to say. Sometimes I will ask your opinions, other times I may ask you to share your experiences, and I might also bring a reader’s question directly to you (I don’t know everything, after all!) I will rarely do much “talking” of my own aside from introducing the reason or inspiration for the question. You can respond by leaving a reply via the form at the bottom of the post (if you are on the main/home page – click the comments link in the tagline below each entry to reply to a post). In this way we can all learn and benefit from each other. I welcome your participation whether you are a regular subscriber or just stopping by.
The Question
I was recently looking over a two-part post I did a while ago on professionalism in dance. I realized that my dance and performance experiences have taught me a lot about leadership and conduct, and that these things have applications that extend far beyond just the dance field. I have utilized the life-lessons I picked up in dance in all aspects of my life. And I’ll bet that you have too! People often want to know what the advantages of studying dance are and I think a large portion of this answer, aside from obvious physical benefits, are the things we learn from practicing and investigating movement, working with others, etc. So, I would like to know…
What has dance taught you about life? Feel free to add one thing or ten things! I’d also love to know how these life-lessons have applied in your work, or parenting, or relationships, etc.
Related posts:
- Role Reversal: So What Does It All Mean?
- Role Reversal: What are the Pros and Cons of Dance Competition
- A New Resource for Dance Studio Owners Offers Real-Life Experience, Support, and a Personal Touch
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Nichelle Strzepek is the writer/editor of Dance Advantage. Equipped with little more than passion for movement education, she embraced her inner computer nerd and began this blog in 2008. She holds a BA in dance and is an instructor with over 16 years experience. Nichelle continues to perform as a contemporary dance artist, covers dance in the Houston area as a freelance writer and critic, and balances daily life as a full-time mom.
4dancers
Inside Ballet Technique
move.create.educate
Oh my.
I dance for fun. I used to dance mostly at clubs but when I stopped going out past 10 pm I started taking recreational classes; which is not as fun but definitely more *ahem* character building.
Its taught me so much. Its taught me
1. perseverance
2. how to make a fool of yourself every week and love it
3. you’re only as good a dancer as how regularly you practice
4. good posture and strong abs are the basis of good dancing, for any type of dance
5. good teacher is a must
Dance has taught me that if you have enough passion for something, it doesn’t matter how hard it is or what your limitations are. If something brings you enough joy, what might have been a roadblock in another area of your life is nothing but a small speedbump. It has taught me that I need to take more risks in life and follow my dreams because life is too short to waste time doing something that does not fulfill you and help you blossom.
Great post!
I have a series of posts on this very topic at the Tap Dance Blog! It’s called the Tap Learning Series…
Here is one of them: http://www.tapdanceman.com/blog/?p=26
Taps
Hello… got here through the link provided by Maria on A Time to Dance… here is my contribution to the discussion.
My experience of dancing is very much on the leader-follower set-up — Argentine tango and lindy hop. As a follower, I had (and still have) a hard time figuring out what the leader is trying to make me do. Over time, I have learned how to really ‘listen’ and focus on the lead so I can execute the step in the way that was expected.
This mirrors real life in most sense, especially in relationships. One party needs to make sure that he or she is communicating properly and the other must be in the state of receiving and interpreting that in the right way. Of course, a relationship doesn’t have to have a leader and a follower but the roles should be practiced in order to achieve smooth understanding between the involved parties.
Dance has taught me self expression & that anything is possible whe you believe in yourself.
Now I take what have discovered & share my passion with my students. It is so rewarding to know that I have touched people’s lives forever with dance!
http://dancingperfectlyfree.com/2009/03/19/quotation-of-the-day-3/
“Dance has asked me to define my individuality and to redefine my notions of beauty. It has made me aware of my ego and the complexities of having one. Dance has shown me the beauty of humility and has helped me develop a capacity for awareness. As dancers we work within an art form that lives and dies in nearly the same instant and, in this sense, offers us powerful lessons in mortality.” – Wendy Whelan
Just wrote about this today on my blog, and then stumbled unto your discussion here!
Here are my thoughts on this:
http://www.8womendream.com/what-dancing-taught-me-about-life/
Dancing was my first “meditative practice” in that it took me out of my mind and truly into my body… Made me feel FREE from all my worries about the past or the future. Just have to focus on the moment.
It brings me such incredible joy and always reminds me that life is truly about living NOW…
Thanks for this discussion! Would love people’s comments on my blog post as well – love to hear from the lead’s perspective and the follow’s!
Happy dancing!
Lisa
Thanks everyone for your great responses!