Note* Dear readers, I have asked some former students, that are now grown and parenting their own children , to write as a guest blogger on what skills and values they received from taking dance classes, that they now realize have carried over to their adult life. My hope is that this will be fresh, first hand information that new families to dance or other classes will find helpful in supporting their child's effort. I believe you will find great value in the perception of these young mothers.
Our first Guest Blogger is Krista Smith Asbell :
I have
always loved to dance. My parents used
to take me to a Mexican restaurant that had a mariachi. When I was 18 months old, I would climb out
of my seat and dance to the mariachi's music.
Today, 28 years later, one of my favorite things to do is to go dancing
with my husband or dancing in the living room with my 18 month old
daughter. Dance taught me so many
things. It taught me how nothing comes
without hard work, to live a healthy lifestyle, and if you’re having a bad day –
get moving! I can not wait for my daughter
to start dance lessons, so I can watch her grow, not only as a dancer, but as a
person.
I
began dance as an activity when I was in the third grade. When I was in the fourth grade, I begged Miss
Mary to not take ballet. However, I
disappointingly enrolled for tap, jazz, and the dreaded ballet. See, I did not understand that ballet is the
foundation for ALL types of dance. I had
no idea the great things ballet, alone, was doing for me. Ballet, in my opinion, is the hardest type of
dance. It is more structured, requires
more technique, and requires more muscle control and conditioning than the
other forms of dance. Without ballet,
you can be a good dancer, but you can not be a great dancer! From this
experience, I learned you will not get any where in life, unless you do the
work first. To achieve anything in life,
there is always lots of sacrifices and hard work to first be completed.
Dance
established the basis for me to be healthy.
I wasn't just going to dance lessons; it was like going to therapy every
week. I may have walked into dance with
four tests at school that week, drama among junior high girls, and life in
general, but not when I walked out.
When I left dance, I felt like a whole new person! Dance lets you express yourself in a healthy
way, when sometimes, there are no words to express what you are feeling. It was also intense, low impact
exercise. It was great cardio,
especially with Miss Mary’s tap routines! Even though ballet wasn't my
favorite, it was excellent conditioning, and I grew to appreciate ballet. To
this day, I keep active to minimize stress, support muscle tone, also it makes
me feel good.
I also
gained an appreciation of all types of music.
Dance helps in so many aspects of life, especially a young person's life. It increases athletic abilities,
engages both right and left brain thinking, creates excellent posture, and
builds confidence. I can’t think of a better activity for children to keep their
mind, body, and soul healthy. I am still reaping the benefits of dance
today. Dancing made me happy and still
does. Anytime I catch my toddler
dancing, I encourage her – whether we are in public or at home – because I know
it makes her happy. That is the most
wonderful thing about dance, it makes people happy. If the music makes you want to move, then get
moving!
Krista Smith Asbell
Public Educator
