Yes, I married a mechanic.
Is it not fortunate that he married a bulldozer like me!
There’s a mission? I am your woman. I will plan, coordinate, manage, organize, build and put together my own one woman show. Once when one of our children was having problems at school, the pedagogical team looked in our direction in hopes that we would solve the problem. I recognized the void and stepped into action. I would find the solution.
We built a house; I orchestrated all of the tradesmen. A bar mitzvah; everything's under control. A trip abroad: I researched and executed the plan. A health crisis within the family: I will find the solution. I am a general by birth. It is no wonder that just a few months in the army (IDF) were enough to understand that there were bigger roles awaiting me.
On the dance floor, however, I felt completely out of my element.
If the dance was any more than Israeli folk dancing or other dances with fixed choreography, I was hesitant to venture out . As my luck would have it, my partner’s “dance intelligence” was even less than mine. Our “time cards” were clocked full of flowers; our “dance cards” remained empty, a constant state of “sitting this one out”.
As a rule, I do not like to sit on the sidelines. I always disliked watching sports from the sidelines.
Why watch???
When I would rather be playing!
I longed to learn ballroom dancing together with hubby. Almost ten years ago I surprised him on his birthday with an exclusive package of dance lessons. Sometimes my audacity surprises even me! I outdid myself bigtime! Couch potato days of yesteryear (prebiking times) was always a challenging time to buy gifts (don’t need anything, don’t want anything). I unabashedly decided to give him a gift that I wanted. I hoped that ultimately it would be a present which we would both enjoy.
In retrospect, I can safely say that this decision opened the door for change. We are not the same people that we were and it is not because of the changing landscapes on our heads…
Without a doubt, dance enhanced our connection to one another. Dance, as it sharpened and enhanced our senses, added a heightened level of intimacy and sensuality to our relationship. It wasn't just on a between him and her level either. There was a change in our interpersonal relationships on all levels. We are more open, happier and more sociable – not to mention that we dare to step on the dance floor…
The gift of dance was definitely a mutually beneficial one.
For me the experience was especially volatile and challenging: would the general be able to follow another’s lead?! Ultimately dance was liberating beyond imagination but it came at a price. The challenge of giving total control to another was daunting to say the least.
It took a long time and much practice before I was finally able to let my guard down.
Dance as Therapy?
It is just dance. What is all of the fuss about?
Dance moves us far from our comfort zone and leaves us exposed and bare.
Exposed.
I can recall the child in me. A sweet memory of that six year old child comes to mind. My girlfriend and I jumped in our birthday suits on my bed. Liberation: free movement, flowing and natural, falling up to defy gravity. Not a care in the world.
We were not at all occupied with thoughts about what would happen if someone were to see us…
In today’s modern, sterile and cold world human touch is a scarce commodity. A huge chunk of our day is spent gazing into one screen or another. We barely glance at one another, let alone touch.
Dance can add much, not only to sculpt and strengthen our bodies, but to rebalance and reset ourselves back to center.
Dance not just as a hobby but as a tool to:
♦ Improve interpersonal skills
♦ Develop trust
♦ Enhance teamwork
♦ Foster maturity
♦ Bolster self confidence
♦ Advance executive function
♦ Improve focus
♦ Alter self-perception
♦ Gain self-control
In short, dance leaves its mark far past the dancefloor!
Some inspiring and fascinating applications in the works:
Dance and Children
May I have this dance, please? | Pierre Dulaine | TEDxHollywood
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. In this talk, Pierre teaches the art of respect through ballroom dancing in a world of technology, isolation, and human interaction. Pierre Dulaine has transformed his life and others through sharing the art of ballroom dancing with the world.
Ballroom dancing in elementary schools: amazing work with an eclectic mix of children.
Here in Israel
Dancing Classrooms and Pierre Dulaine at the Other Israel Film Festival
Dancers of the "Dancing Classrooms" program performing at the Opening Night of the 7th Annual Other Israel Film Festival. Awarded dancer, and protagonist of the film "Dancing in Jaffa" introduces the dancers.
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Dance and Dementia
May I have this dance, please? | Pierre Dulaine | TEDxHollywood
This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. In this talk, Pierre teaches the art of respect through ballroom dancing in a world of technology, isolation, and human interaction. Pierre Dulaine has transformed his life and others through sharing the art of ballroom dancing with the world.
Let the numbers talk – frequent dancing can reduce the risk of dementia by a whopping 76%!
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Dance to liberate movement, flexibility and control.
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Fascinating, uplifting and promising!
Shall we dance?!
If you have not yet read about the rocky part of my journey, you can read it here.
I would like to thank you for your patience in reading this post to its end.
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Finally I would like to request that you please share my powerful animated message!
Join me: CHOOSE abundant whole health!
https://youtu.be/IeO6BfGaP68
