AlwaySane Is In Da House

So? Dance!

It is becoming truly clear to me that dancing (my hobby) really has its clear benefits. Listing them down would be difficult ('cos there are just too many of them and I can only type this much - excuses) but I will try. My aim is to encourage some of you to consider this form of art/exercise/hobby/technique a part of your life. It indeed brings peace and joy and laughter.

Like what the Sane said: As long as you have a butt, start dancing.

***
1. Dancing is mentioned in the BIBLE!

No, contrary to many common opinions that dancing is the creation of the devil (????? Brain scan needed here. I didn’t know the d---l can create… never mind), “dance” was actually a form of celebration and worship to the Lord in the Book of Life!

When God brought the children (and adults) of Israel out of Egypt and the Egyptian land rovers and snipers were titanic-ed in the red sea: “Then Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took the timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and dances.” (Ex 15:20 NKJV)

Women praised King David and King Saul for their victory in the battle with the Philistine: “So the women sang as they danced, and said:
"Saul has slain his thousands,
And David his ten thousands." (1 Sam 18:7, in part 21:11, 29:5)

Men danced. Yes, a man who dances is not a mythological figure: “Then David (Sane’s note: Yes, David’s a man and no, he’s not a mythological figure) danced before the Lord with all his might (more Sane’s note: Woohoo!!! The day when everyone danced with all their might! World peace!); and David was wearing a linen ephod.” (2 Sam 6:14)

Praise the Lord with songs and dances! Yes, one more: Let them praise His name with the dance; Let them sing praises to Him with the timbrel and harp. Ps 149:3) (More and more of Sane’s note: It seems that dancing always come with timbrel. Does anyone know what it is? If yes, please enlighten me. Much thanks.)

2. Dancing improves brain power

T’is true. Try remembering to straighten your leg, point your toes, lift up your heel, straighten your arm when styling, hands at the side during basic, move your hips, relax your elbow, grip your partner, turn on-2 and SMILE at the same time. I don’t know about the rest of the world but I really was lost at the point where I had to point my toes, straighten my leg and lift the heel. I was like: what, you think I’m a robot or something? ANYWAYS, that was just posture. Then comes the steps: slide moving leg towards stationary leg before stepping, turn and shift your weight, do not stick your stomach out (guilty), point your toes outwards not inwards (guilty guilty guilty) , do not move hips figure-8 during salsa. As if this is not enough, you have to remember the routine which goes something like: basic, cross body lead, cbl left turn, the-man-turns-and-stands-next-to-you step, cbl left turn again, basic with hand change, cbl left turn, step-where-man-moves-and-grabs-lady’s-hand-from-behind step, cbl right turn, comb hair, basic…And this is the simple routine. Tell me dancing does not improve brain power. I read somewhere that studies have shown that dancing wards off dementia.

Aside: Above description applies to salsa and latin cha cha which I’m dancing.

3. Dancing makes you look taller

Very right. In fact, your posture changes when you dance and that sticks with you when you are doing your daily chores/activities. You walk with your head held high, your body extended into a straight line, your shoulders back (no slouching), your chest out and stomach in and walk with rhythm in your soul. Ahhh…

No need for surgery or poise classes. Dancing, my dear. Gorgeous.

4. You never know how dancing can improve relationship

Oy! I had the longest conversation with my dad in like my entire life and guess what it was about? Dancing! Turns out he was himself a cha cha (latin and social) and jazz dancer when he was still (in his own words from out his mouth) “flexible”. It was a great time of talking and finding out what he learnt, and yes, showing each other the steps! It was real fun! I mean, seriously, you never know if your own folks were once kings and queens on the dance floor and imagine how much sharing can take place! I love my dad. He’s hilarious.

Dad: What are you doing these days? Coming back later than usual and cleaning the pair of golden shoes? (I have a pair of latin dance shoes. The only reasonably-priced pair that comes in my size at my studio is golden-glittered. I HAVE to buy them ‘cos my teacher is officially banning me from the studio if I don’t get a pair of dance shoes. Said it’s damaging my posture and routine. So, there.)

Me: Went for my dance class.

Dad: You really find ways to waste your time, you know that?

Me: (??) Don’t tell me you never did anything “time-wasting” in your life.

Dad: ….

Me: You don’t have to pretend. I’m sure you danced before. (Completely guessing here….my dad used to lift weights and body builds… hahahahahaha…. but I never expected….)

Dad: Hem….Haw….Yes. I was a cha cha and jazz dancer.

Me: You never told me!

Dad: Why should I? But anyway, it was fun right?

Both: Hahahaha……

Me: By the way, how do you do that point turn huh?

Dad: Like that…..

It went on for a while…. And like I said, I had fun. I think my dad too.

And of course, you sure do make great friends through dancing. Some of them friends of friends of friends. I even met an old classmate while dancing and we had the best time ever. I mean, nothing beats seeing each other happily twirling away.

5. Exercise, have fun and look good at the same time.

Dancing is a sport. Umm-hmm that’s right. There’s such a thing called the dancesport competition where people compete in standard and latin ballroom dances and they are classified as a “sport” in the SEA games. You sure do move your body a lot (cardio) and perspire. And while doing that, you smile, pose and look awesome. I mean, you don’t do that when you treadmill, do you?

PS: Yes Jeremy, I read your blog :)

=====
You cannot be insane and dance at the same time.

Sane reflects @ this location permanently