Freestyle Partnered Dance

I love it when I see others participating in my dance philosophy that one does not have to do a certain dance style to a particular kind of song as you see below. That it isn’t blasphemy to do this and also even lovely to do freestyle partnered dance. I am blessed to really enjoy this with Dianea Kohl and Bredt Aiken in the Ithaca area who are versed in multiple dance styles and open to freestyled partnered dance. Then there is Clara who hosts La Fiesta Cubana dance parties and who has done Latin varieties with me. Then there are some at Geno’s Dances that happen weekly in Syracuse.

Whom am I missing who enjoy freestyle partnered dance? Do you consider yourself one of those? Please let me know so I can take the opportunity to have this fun with you too.

Fun Salsa Inspired Improv to Greek Music – Rasa Pauzaite – Dance With Rasa

The Every Day Festival

“The only festival you can celebrate every day is life. So, erase all excuses and get on with the celebration! Life is not a dress rehearsal, so don’t wait for something drastic to happen.”

Deepa Malik – female paraplegic motorcyclist, international athlete, swimmer, restaurateur, car-rally driver, motivational speaker…..

There is something to be said about being in the moment, in the present.

A Meditation Quickie

“Breathing in, I calm body and mind.
Breathing out, I smile.
Dwelling in the present moment.
I know this is a wonderful moment.”

Thich Nhat Hanh, Buddhist monk from Vietnam living in France.

There are many ways to meditate.  The above quote by Thich Nhat Hanh is an easy one to use as you breath.  An easy way to calm down, to quieten the mind…

The Dancing Introvert

The other day I mentioned I am a dancing introvert and my friend replied, “That is an oxymoron if there ever was one.”  The idea of putting the action of dance side by side with what is often mischaracterized as the solitary/quiet/still introvert just didn’t seem to work.

“Another thing that I’ve learned is that although I need time alone, not all interactions affect my energy in the same way. While many social interactions leave me feeling depleted, there are some that have the opposite effect.”

Taken from http://tinybuddha.com/blog/accepting-yourself-as-as-introvert-and-loving-your-inner-tortoise/

This is dance for me. The more I dance the more energized I feel. Many of my other energy recharging activities are what most would consider typical of an introvert, such as contemplative walking outdoors, but this is the exception.  I often define myself as a Goan Catholic dancer.  Dance is fundamental to my being, and without dance there is no me.

Beware of the superficiality and flawed nature of “the label” when attached to the unique human being.

And speaking of labels it is interesting to look back at the results of what I have posted so far on this blog. I have 60 posts tagged “dance”, followed by 50 tagged “inquiring mind”, and then 25 recipe posts.  Do not read too much into that. The only correct conclusion to draw is that dance and thinking/reflecting are two things important to me.

Everyday Poetry in Motion

Traffic Cop Working:
Stop, Go, Cross Legs, Turn Left Right-
My Life is Dancing

Dancing is not just for the club dance floor, or just to the music of a song.  Check out this dancing cop and then take a turn, taking dance where you work, where you play, everywhere you live today.

The KISS Dance Principle

“You have to believe dance is something other than technique. We forget where movements come from. They are born from life.”
– Pina Bausch

There is a place for learning a framework within which to operate, particularly when you are dancing with someone else, as in partner dance, but often in learning we forget the important things.  This is just a quick reminder not to forget our dance source: life.

 

Bring the Sauce – Traigo la Salsa by Miguel La Formula

Enjoy music by groups such as Los Van Van and Michael Blanco? Take a gander and listen to Traigo La Salsa

What is your best dancing compliment?

The greatest compliment that I am given as a dancer is that I play as I dance and give room for my partner to play.

Partner Dance is not about steps, it’s not about moves. It isn’t a competition, a pecking order, or a race. You are connected to someone and hopefully with enough time face to face, rather than 101 moves and your partner in a daze. 

“Sentiment without action…

…is the ruin of the soul.”

Edward Abbey (1927 – 1989. Radical American author and essayist known for his environmental advocacy and criticism of public land policies.)

“Practice, and if necessary preach”

St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226,  Beloved patron saint of animals, birds, and the environment.)

That this idea is repeated through the ages indicates it has truth in it, and we see this in action through Mahatma Gandhi (1869 – 1948).  Did you know that Gandhi read the bible and was influenced by the Christian faith.  I too am guided by this faith and see sentiment in action through the lives of Catholic saints.  Mother Theresa is my favorite for many reasons, and became even more so recently when I read what she said about religion.

“Religion is not something that you or I can touch.  Religion is the worship of God – therefore a matter of conscience.  I alone must decide for myself and you for yourself, what we choose.  For me, the religion I live and use to worship God is the Catholic religion.  For me, this is my very life, my joy, and the greatest gift of God in his love for me.  He could have given me no greater gift.”

Mother Theresa (1910 – 1997)

An amazing Catholic evangelist, yet not one that immediately comes to mind.  She wasn’t like those fiery preachers we see on TV, but a person who completely embodied the values of her faith.

A takeaway lesson in evangelism, whether it be religion, or something else like dance that I share through djing, teaching, social dance and more.

The Soul’s Appetites

Feeling a bit under the weather tonight (a cold), but thought I would take a break from chores and enjoy some Jazz @ Oasis Dance Club under the lights.

– Hey!
Even a stuffed head doesn’t diminish the soul’s appetites. ;- )

Supported the club walls with my weight, but that wasn’t destined to be my fate. My friends old and new didn’t mind when I warned I had a sniffle or two, and thus enjoyed dances with Laura, Carolyn, and Jamie too.

Having a great night!