I have only been dancing for three years. But the past three years have also been some of the most influencial. Anyone can understand that influencial times can be tough on the body and the mind, and dance has been the most solid anchor that i have ever had for myself. I mean to say that dance is more than just something to go out and have fun with, although that is one of the largest parts of reaping the benefits of it. If there is anything that dance has taught me, its that enjoying what you are doing is crucial to the level of success you have in whatever it is that you are doing. So dance is not just good for having a gorgeous body, its not just good for gaining more control of that gorgeous body, its not just good for getting intouch with the mind that controls that gorgeous body, but it helps fulfill some of the immaterial needs that we, as creative beings, are seemingly in constant search of.  Not to mention, its a gateway to so much fun and good music.

One of the best parts about dance is that it doesnt matter what kind of music you like, you can dance to it. anything from the biggest mainstream pop stars, to the grungiest of underground punk rock, to the depths of the ever growing web of electronica, to the twangiest of country guitar solos. if there is rythm, there can be dance.

Rythm is apparent and obvious not just everywhere in our daily practical lives, but on so many different levels of reality. Our hearts beat in rythm, our earth rotates and spins in rythm (thats our definition of time by the way), people even travel in rythmic waves (try sitting at you closest smoothie bar, or driving on a major freeway and watch the flow of people). Everything we do is based on rythms.

One of the reasons dance is so meditative, is that it forces you to focus on rythm with intensity, it doesnt just allow you to focus on the rythm. The "wall flowers" are the people who feel like they are making a fool of themselves by letting the rythm take over. Dance is perfect for overcomming self consciousness, so long as you are willing to let it. Anyway, the intense focus that dance requires once you really start to get into it is actually incredibly liberating. It frees you from all of the stresses and hangups of dialy life. Rather than thinking about all the "crap" your are just in The Moment. Clreaing you mind like this is one of the best ways to keep a positive mindset. I think we all know the benefits of a positive mindset. 

Dance has kept me in such good shape! Granted i am young and its not that difficult for me to do this, but i dont do any physical activity besides dance. It has kept me surprisingly fit.Think about it, if you are actually being creative, thinking about your movements, making this kind of experince an artistic one, then you are not only expressing yourself, but you are comming up with new ways of moving your body. You are working muscles that are not typically worked, and the ones that you do typically work are being worked more than normal. And, in my mind, one of the best parts is that there is no restriction, and no resistance. You are not putting much strain on your body, but you are keeping it active and warm for extended periods of time. There is no end to what you can do. there is always something new to try. Thats something that allowes almost anything to be fun in my book.

Putting you mind to the movement of your body with this much joy, and pleasure brings you into a whole new relm of understanding when it comes you the mind  body connection. There will be drastic improvements in coordination, reflexes, and flexebility. I would say if you really want to, you could even become more intouch with internal processes both mental and physical. Oh, I feel like it has sped up my metabolism as well. And just think about how close dancing with a partner is to sex. 

So, i let dance be an art. Creative and pure expression, while still doing to it enjoy yourself and the company of others. Whether you are just going to the club on a friday night, or you are a die hard pop-n-locker, if you like square dancing or liquid dancing, ballroom dancing or break dancing. I have a strong feeling that whatever genre of dance you are open to, it will give you a life improvement, no matter what stage you are in. if you need a turn around, or just something to do, dance is for you. Ok, bad rhyme, but you get the point.