The biggest change dance has made in my life ...

[pygmalion]

Just wondering. I'll go first.

It's given me self-confidence on a physical level. I've never been good at organized sports or other large-motor things, and dance has given me the confidence to get up and use my body in ways I never used to feel comfortable doing.

It's also helped me tap into emotions that, because of my introspective/analytical personality, I used to bury beneath the surface.

Probably other stuff I can't think of at the moment, too.

How about you?

[Phil Owl]

Just wondering. I'll go first.

It's given me self-confidence on a physical level. I've never been good at organized sports or other large-motor things, and dance has given me the confidence to get up and use my body in ways I never used to feel comfortable doing.

It's also helped me tap into emotions that, because of my introspective/analytical personality, I used to bury beneath the surface.

Probably other stuff I can't think of at the moment, too.

How about you?

Much the same for me, it helped me to get out of my shell (I was VERY shy at one time) and gave me a wonderful form of exercise/social interaction that I love to this day, and it's a FARRRR sight prettier than going to the gym! It also helped me asa musician to become more solidified in my rhtyhm.

[Lucretia]

Salsa gave me a reason to get well again after a time of illness.

Salsa helped me to heal a damage of the brain. (Adrenaline and cortisol actually burn the fat tissue your brain is made of)

Salsa helped me to endure stress. All impressions - the steps, the patterns, the music, the partner(s), the chats did (in the beginning) put me into a state where stress hormones where owerflowing. But my wish to dance helped me over that obstacle. Even in every day life AND work.

Salsa gave me a lot of new fiends.

Salsa gave me a much better physique.

Salsa gave me chance to stand in the spotlights again. Not in a literal sense. It gave me a chance to feel that I was OK and sometimes even better than OK. And since I truly am an exhibitionist - the spotlights will suit me fine (the day I'm good enough :wink: )

Salsa let the sunshine into my life again! :D

/Lucretia

[salsachinita]

8) Growth 8)

[standardgirl]

Dancing makes me more aware about me being physically fit, and being able to do interval training. (I guess, I wasn't all that into skating plus, I was younger when I was a figure skater. otherwise, I should have those long ago....)

Dancing makes me drop inches/weights, which I never thought about before. I wear a 12, which is quite normal in the normal world, but fat in the dance world. I have dropped some inches, and I want to get rid of more for my competitions!

[Sabor]

i dont know

i've been dancing as far as i was/am aware.. so, i guess, to me.. its, well.. life..?

so, life has been the biggest change in my life :mrgreen:

[squirrel]

It made me feel really alive... and changed me into a dancer, which I had never been before... :). Still makes me feel alive...

[pygmalion]

Dancing makes me drop inches/weights, which I never thought about before. I wear a 12, which is quite normal in the normal world, but fat in the dance world. I have dropped some inches, and I want to get rid of more for my competitions!

Dance has made you more weight conscious?

[blue]

Dance gave me something new to focus on, after I lost aikido that used to be a major part of my life. For some time I wondered about doing a little bit of this and a little part of that, but was unable to find a new drug that was equally addictive. Now it seems I have...

[standardgirl]

Dancing makes me drop inches/weights, which I never thought about before. I wear a 12, which is quite normal in the normal world, but fat in the dance world. I have dropped some inches, and I want to get rid of more for my competitions!

Dance has made you more weight conscious?

most definetly, Yep! :D

[blue]

Partner dance has made me more aware of my physical appearance in general.

[DancerGA]

Dancing has given me back some of the self-confidence that I lost years ago. I can't begin to tell you how much happier I am now. I feel much better about myself and seem to have a new lease on life. Prior to dancing my life was bleak with very little joy. Now, even though I'm an introvert, I'm slowly coming out of my shell and being more outgoing. Dancing has helped me maintain a normal (lower) weight, improve my posture, and (as I'm told at every lesson) keep my head up. HOORAY for dancing! :D

[sunderi]

I have to add a "me too"! to all the comments about dancing adding confidence back into life. Dance is something that I can excel at -- and being good at something is just a fantastic experience. I think being good at dance has helped to keep me from feeling like a FAILURE when I fail at something. Does that make any sense?

It's also making me more comfortable with being sexy, which is something I was always kind of afraid of. :raisebro:

Dance has also given me an outlet for my competitive spirit, which is very strong. It's good for stuff like that to have a healthy outlet! :-D

[DWise1]

In terms of physical fitness, I've been blessed with a relatively low-maintenance body and my reserve duty has been my main motivator to exercise. Though I don't enjoy it much and I especially do not like the running, so I don't follow as regular an exercise schedule as I should.

Last month the Navy gave me my annual physical. After my EKG was completed, the corpsman looked at it and commented that judging from my pulse rate I must run a lot. No, not really. It wasn't until I was down the hall approaching the next station that it hit me: it must be the dancing, especially the Lindy.


And it was dancing that motivated me to start pilates training, because I found that I needed to strengthen my core to keep from injuring myself in Lindy. Now I've found that I no longer wake up in the morning with a sore back and I have far fewer minor back injuries.


But the biggest change that dancing has made in my life has been social. I am extremely shy and very uncomfortable in most social situations, especially when it involves approaching strangers and most especially when those strangers are women. Dancing has helped me to develop social skills and confidence that enable me to function comfortably enough in those situations and to actually want to seek them out (eg, go out dancing).

If my wife had chosen to divorce me before I learned to dance, she would have doomed me to live out the rest of my life in miserable loneliness. I doubt that I ever would try to learn dancing, because I had already proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that I was totally devoid of any sense of rhythm and totally incapable of ever learning.

But now dance has given me the confidence to be able to go out and meet new people, thus giving me the opportunity to meet that special somebody. And all the positive social contact dancing has provided me is helping to counter the negative self-image that I had started out with and that my wife has been augmenting; I can actually start to consider that I might be worthy of being loved after all.

Ironically, it was because of my wife that I had started learning to dance and that I was able to remain motivated to tough out those first 1.5 years that it took for me to finally be able to hear and follow the beat.

[tacad]

It's also making me more comfortable with being sexy, which is something I was always kind of afraid of. :raisebro:
Alright sunderi! It was your thread on being sexy that inspired me out of lurker status. I'm becoming more comfortable with being sexy as well.
So... :raisebro: ...right back at you! :D

[sunderi]

Alright sunderi! It was your thread on being sexy that inspired me out of lurker status. I'm becoming more comfortable with being sexy as well.
So... :raisebro: ...right back at you! :D

:lol: Thanks! Glad to hear that I dragged some others out of 'lurk mode' with me! :friend:

[ReneeJoan]

tacad wrote: "I'm becoming more comfortable with being sexy as well."

I can attest to that.

Renee

[tacad]

:mrgreen:

[youngsta]

It's probably given me the most self-confidence I've ever had in my life.

[Sagitta]

It's probably given me the most self-confidence I've ever had in my life.

Me too...

People actually ask me to be at events and call em up to check if I'll be there. :)

[falonRyan]

Hey,

I'm beginning a thread to hear the stories from dancers all over the world.

I began dancing only 3 months ago and I honestly believe i am discovering the person who i truly want to be...

I have always wanted to be able to dance and recently, i suddenly felt compelled to go after it. One day I had a strong desire to start dancing...it felt like something i simply had to do and here i am 3 months on discovering things about myself i never knew existed. My world is brighter and it's because dancing really aligns with me and my desires in life..

Dance has brought a great joy and another thrill into my heart and I'd love to hear about the joy that dance has injected into your life? I hope to never stop dancing because it's become a large part of who i am, it makes me burst with excitement knowing i have a class, or a social or a ball coming up...i can't wait until i go again. I would love to know why you started dancing and when? What was it that made you go, "this is what i want to do?"

How has dance changed your life? or even the lives around you?

[fascination]

we do have a thread on this but I couldn't find it so I don't expect you to...just please know that when a more skilled mod comes on, this thread will likely be merged to that one for the benefit of all of the valuable past answers being available as well as the new ones that folks may feel free to contribute here

[falonRyan]

great! thanks so much ^_~

[fascination]

in the meantime...I will go ahead and answer again...should be interesting to see how the two compare

through dance I have lost a significant amount of weight
I have learned how to be a good sport...having almost never competed at anything before, I struggled with this
I lost and found myself several times over ultimately becoming a much stronger person for having, at times, been terribly weak...
I learned that good things take alot of time and hard work
I learned that one can love an activity more than a person if they have to
I have re-learned how to be lady-like, to cling to a few pieces of self-respect and dignity, how to respect others more, and how to be sensitive in ways that I never was before...those are just off the top of my head

[etp777]

I think all the skilled mods are on vacation for the holiday or at Blackpool. ;)

[fascination]

TC is here and completely capable if he chooses...but you are free to hunt and peck etp...as best as I know, none of our staff is at Blackpool...though some are enjoying some leisure

[etp777]

I already tried to find the thread (know one you're talking about, or one of the applicable ones anyway), and couldn't find it either, so I gave up. :)

[etp777]

Lost a bunch of weight
Learned more confidence
Got in better shape (even outside the weight)
More social
Made a lot of good friends
Got a sense of accomplishment that I've missed since I stopped competing in sports regularly

[samina]

falonryan, i feel as you do when you say that you are discovering your genuine self. dancing is more than just a hobby or a recreation for me... it has helped me to uncover layers of not-me-ness to begin to reveal the real me underneath. on so many levels. and this journey continues...

i want to say more but...your question has been very thought-provoking. i think i'll sit with it for awhile. :)

[SPratt74]

we do have a thread on this but I couldn't find it so I don't expect you to...just please know that when a more skilled mod comes on, this thread will likely be merged to that one for the benefit of all of the valuable past answers being available as well as the new ones that folks may feel free to contribute here

http://www.dance-forums.com/showthread.php?t=553&highlight=dance+passions

This is a good thread to read fas! I'm not sure if it answers every question the poster was asking, but it's still a very interesting. And it takes a bit to learn the search function well. I've gotten to know how to use the search function pretty well, since that's how a lot of my questions are answered now. I hope this helps! ;)

[fascination]

thanks spratt...it isn't the one I am looking for...the one I am looking for is exactly the same question...otherwise i wouldn't want to merge them...but it's fine...thanks anyhow

[dancelvr]

My world has changed in that I'm a happier, and more active person.
I've made new friends.
I'm using muscles I never even knew I had.
I've realized that having something to look forward to each week makes getting through those weeks much easier. :-)

[CANI]

The past year plus has been one of unbelievable positive change for me, and dancing has been a part of that. The most profound changes aren’t as a direct result of dancing, so I’ll list some of the joy that dancing has brought me:

The general feeling that dancing gives me – I haven’t found words, yet, that do it justice, so I’ll leave it at that.
A re-introduction to beauty and elegance and gentlemanly behavior when I went to see my first ballroom dance competition.
The search for that competition led me to dance-forums. I’ve learned and applied so much to my life from fascination, Larinda, Josh, Peaches, etp, DL, NonieS, j_alexandra (to name a few that come immediately to mind) – in ways I’ve told some of you via pm and from being impressed with your thinking and your approaches and your giving&kind natures.
Developed deep friendships with such caring people for which I am so grateful.
As a person who loves hugs, having a vast number of lovely acquaintances to share with and to hug and be hugged. With the wonderful knowledge that any one of these acquaintances can eventually become friends.
Found a love for a little dog
Constant views of true courage in action which warm my heart and impress me to no end

[fascination]

well...here's another big hug and some mutual appreciation

[CANI]

well...here's another big hug and some mutual appreciation

big hug in return!! :D

[j_alexandra]

The past year plus has been one of unbelievable positive change for me, and dancing has been a part of that. The most profound changes aren’t as a direct result of dancing, so I’ll list some of the joy that dancing has brought me:

The general feeling that dancing gives me – I haven’t found words, yet, that do it justice, so I’ll leave it at that.



<snip>



As a person who loves hugs, having a vast number of lovely acquaintances to share with and to hug and be hugged. With the wonderful knowledge that any one of these acquaintances can eventually become friends.


You're right; the words are not easy to find. <hug>

[Peaches]

More self-confidence.

[anp73ga31]

It has helped my self-confidence greatly (I'm still working on it but its way better than it was).

Oh, and I move my ribcage and hips when I walk now. Seriously....you wouldnt believe how stiff I've been all my life thru my middle and hips when walking. Now I'm constantly thinking (yes, in a russian accent..thanks Jaana and Julia): fee-gur eight, fee-gur eight....

Um, and does a new love for sparkly things count? Its not the biggest thing, but its pretty far up there. :D

The biggest thing probably is that it makes me happy. More happy than anything else ever has or ever will. That within itself is the reason why I dont stop dancing even when it is taxing on my budget to take my piddly one lesson a week. Because I just CANT go without it even though I know it would give me more money to pay off my credit card sooner. I just cant do it. It means too much. Who wouldve ever thought a hobby could mean so much/do so much for you?

[Kromat]

I love how everyone is talking about self-confidence, and concerned about their and that they
need to work at it, to maintain or improve the physical attributes that they already have.

I don't hesitate to approach strangers anymore, to show them what I know in terms
of dancing, and that I've tried my best and really am out there to have fun.

Being rejected in any form isn't as bad anymore, since you can tell yourself that there will always be one
person out there that will accept you, and be able to show you that you indeed are worthy of this activity.

Many more friends to socialize and get together to be make you a lot happier, and have something to look forward too.

People are now intrigued that I dance, and want me to show them what it is that I know, so
It really is a good motivator that you can have passion in anything that your willing to work for.

[wonderwoman]

Dancing has made me a happier person.

[fascination]

probably said this before but, I think it has taught melong-suffering, patience, control, gentleness...noe of which are my strongsuits and all of which I still need to improve upon, but dance has done much to cultivate it

[TAK]

This is not the biggest change dance has made in my life, but now that I need to buy some dressy shoes, I'm grateful to have become perfectly comfortable in 3-inch stiletto heels!

[etp777]

me too, TAK! :)

[SassySamba]

Self confidence

[hereKittyKitty]

Patience...otherwise I would be calling security police on my noisy neighbors right now.

[etp777]

hsahaha hkk. just turn up the music and practice your pivots. or something. ;)

[hereKittyKitty]

Well, I gave in and called security. The next thing I know, there's a note under my door explaining that its their friends birthday....blah blah blah. My husband just had a birthday and we didn't throw a gargantuan party that caused your ceiling to cave in:rolleyes:

[etp777]

yeah, I've never been much of oen for parties like that. Least, not at home. on rare times I celebrate like that, it's out somewhere else.

[hereKittyKitty]

The thing is, they could rent the club house which would be far more suitable. They offered in their "note" that we should meet. Who knows what I would say in such a meeting:rolleyes: Dude your the most loud and annoying#$@@!!! I've ever seen!

[flashdance]

self confidence (although if I'm honest I'm still scared of how people perceive me when I'm dancing... although no where as bad as it used to be)

regret - wish I'd done this years and years ago!

patience

purpose

fulfillment (cakes as well!)

[dlgodud]

Made me as a patient person.

[fascination]

definately

[lcdancesport]

It has made my life happier, but also much more stressful. With the bad comes the good and vice versa!

[emilyanderson]

i feel dance is a kind of meditation.. you have to concentrate on so many things such as body movement, rhythm, steps.....
i enjoy dance even if i'm alone.. it fills me with energy..

[tsb]

i have changed and grown a lot since i started dancing almost 15 years ago. dance has played a large part in it, no doubt, but i'm not sure that dance was the single overriding factor. i hope i can explain this well.

for example, i have a strong musical background, and in the past, my training tended to prompt me to be more critical of the technical aspects of any performance i listened to, analyzing chord structures, intonation, etc. (and i have found that this tends to be true for trained musicians in general). nowadays, when i first hear a song, my first thought is: "what would i dance to this?" and when i *am* dancing, i'm now more in tune (no pun intended) to the lyricism and emotion of the music because i'm trying to match my movement and choice of figures accordingly to make it more enjoyable for my partner.
however, i still get caught anticipating breaks where i would put them if i had written the arrangement (but when my partner also anticipates the break and we both miss it - we laugh and agree that the music is wrong!).

yet my overall world view has changed and i suspect that the way i now listen to music is also a reflection of that; my upbringing and family history kinda trained me to expect be rejected or somehow be discriminated against or ignored in most situations. it's a sad way to live. i became more confident about myself as i became more sought out as a dance partner - enough so that a fellow DF-er has actually asked me if i have some sort of line i use because he's watched me acquire phone numbers and email addresses from just about every attractive woman i danced with over a period of years. (i've tried to explain it's all about the lead but for some reason he refuses to buy that.) (and i've never told him the flip side of it - these women often have boyfriends who don't dance and want me to dance host them around the floor all evening - and it's usually more work than fun.)

when i was less confident and a lot less comfortable in my own skin in general, one of my coping mechanisms was to be critical - which i think was an over-determining factor (beyond the musical training) in why i used to analyze music when i was listening to it. but being less critical and being more open also shows up in one's demeanor, and IMO the change also affected how i approach people to ask them to dance. and i've noticed that it's when i'm with other dancers that i feel most free to be myself and exhibit aspects of my personality non-dancers rarely see. but i've gotten past relying on the dance skill set to validate my self-worth - it's more like dancing was a catalyst.

maybe the best way to put it is that dance has increased the levels of joy & delight in life - being able to be delighted about myself & about others (and more so about the quirks than the perceived strengths and virtues), and hopefully, also increased the level of joy in others around me. but it seems to me that joy isn't joy if it just stays inside one's self.

[j_alexandra]

<snip parallel life experience with music and critical thinking>

maybe the best way to put it is that dance has increased the levels of joy & delight in life - being able to be delighted about myself & about others (and more so about the quirks than the perceived strengths and virtues), and hopefully, also increased the level of joy in others around me. but it seems to me that joy isn't joy if it just stays inside one's self.

That's it: I'm coming to Pasadena to dance with you. Quick! Check the airline schedules!

[fascination]

it has also taught me how to compete...how to win and lose gracefully...concepts that I really had very little exposure to previously....