Swing Dancing and Tennis

[Black Sheep]

Tennis buffs,
I never took a tennis lesson in my life. Maybe one in Atlanta Georgia in 1978. But when I left dancing in 1963, I decided to play tennis for the fun and exercise. I did not realize it for about two years of playing two or three days a week, but I was able to get the ball back often enough to challenge some professionally trained tennis players.
My dancing, with my balance, sense of timing, coordination and mostly my developed legs, all a result of dancing for some 13 years on a daily basis, made up for my lack of tennis Lessons.
Fortunately, most Tennis Pros (instructiors) in the 1960's where teaching antiquated techniques that were handed down from King George the III before the Revolutionary War of 1776, so by teaching myself through trial and error, I ended up developing my own techniques which turned out to be superior to the King's.
All I had to know as a beginner was 1) Shake hands with the racket handle, holding the head verticle to the ground and 2) slap the hell out of the ball when it came on your side of the net.
Thanks to my background in Swing dancing I had a great soicial life and learned the essential techniques for Tennis also. Surprise yourself; tennis in the afternoon, and Swing dancing at night.
Black Sheep, 'Never paid for a Ballroom dance lesson or a tennis lesson in my life'. Maybe once in Atlanta Georgia in 1978!"

[DanceMentor]

Dancing can have many benefits and can help people in other areas, too. There is also a thread about Martial Arts. I did Martial Arts and found similarities between the two. Being able to change direction, spot, balance and rotate the torso are common to both Tennis and Dance, so I agree. While I'm happy you didn't pay to take lessons, I think lessons are an essential part of both professions, because the top pros even take lessons. However, it is nice to know that you can learn either tennis or dance with little or no money.

[Black Sheep]

DanceMentor,
I read the Martial Arts post. That's where I got the idea about the thread, 'Swing Dancing and Tennis'. There are many areas that dancing can be beneficial. One of the best Lindy Dancers in my teenage Cellar Club Crowd in Brooklyn was stone deaf since childhood, but he felt the vibrations of the music in the floor through his shoes.
In the 1950's I recall programs where hospitals were using dancing in mental institutions to help relax and speed up the recovery of patients.
There are many areas where dancing can be used as a therapy.
I had promised to make a more comprehensive contribution on the thread, 'Socialized Dancing', but certain unexpected events have slowed me down, but I'll get to it shortly. I have some leg work researching to do first.

Black Sheep, 'Sharing is an Act of Love' Joe Lanza 2003 a.d.

[DanceMentor]

Cool. I hope you will keep us posted.

[d nice]

DanceMentor,
I read the Martial Arts post. That's where I got the idea about the thread, 'Swing Dancing and Tennis'. There are many areas that dancing can be beneficial.

Absolutely. Your success at tennis just goes to show what wonders dancing can do. I've seen dancers become amazing wrestlers, gymnasts and swimmers. We rule! ;)

In the 1950's I recall programs where hospitals were using dancing in mental institutions to help relax and speed up the recovery of patients.
There are many areas where dancing can be used as a therapy.

My old dance partner actually has a masters in dance therapy, a branch of psycho-thrapy and does this very thing.

I had promised to make a more comprehensive contribution on the thread, 'Socialized Dancing', but certain unexpected events have slowed me down, but I'll get to it shortly.

Take your time Joe, the loss of a pet can be hard. We all understand.

[anntennis]

I playied tennis for about 10 years, and was totally addicted to tennis- tennis clubs, various teams, tennis parties, various tennis camps for adults. ( I started after 30).

I took my first swing lesson last april, and can't stop ever since- now it is swing, waltz, tango, socials,etc.

I still play tennis at least twice a month, and take tennis lessons about twice amonth , not to gorget how to play, but dance completly took over.

[Movement]

I used to play tennis and was very addicted to it. But dance eventually took over and I will say, tennis did help a lot. Tennis deals with a lot of different isolations and has a lot of footwork, so I started off more aware of my body than a typical dance newbie. Especially with my arms, so my frame was good. :)

I don't watch dancing with the stars, but I would imagine that tennis players would do very well on it.

[and123]

I don't watch dancing with the stars, but I would imagine that tennis players would do very well on it.

Um, well, one in particular definitely did not do well (Monica Seles).