We Are Meant to Dance

Have you danced yet today?

One of the blessings of teaching creative movement to preschoolers is that I have a beautiful reminder of what it was like to dance as a child. Do you remember being 5 years old and when you heard music you just had to start moving? Dance comes so naturally to children. Human beings are meant to dance. We've been dancing as a means of self-expression, communication, ritual, and just for the sheer joy of it for as long as we've been on planet Earth.

(First ballet recital)

Why then do so many of us not dance like we did when we were children? This has been on my mind lately as I've wanted to share the bliss of creative movement I've seen in the preschoolers with all of the adults around me. I have always loved to dance and it has been a deep source of joy to me. It carried me through childhood, through the awkward teenage years, and into adulthood (am I there yet?)

(Far left - Freshman year of high school - Dance Repertory)

If you spend any amount of time around me you will inevitably find me dancing. My kids and I have a favorite evening activity of going on YouTube, each choosing a song, and dancing like crazy till we all fall on my bed. My whole family regularly joins in the dancing (Meg and I kicking in the kitchen...)

(Dancing with my brother and his children.)

I guess I just wanted to send out a reminder to all the adults I love in my life to keep dancing! Move your body - music is optional but tons of fun. Dance by yourself in your bedroom, or tango with a special someone, or crank up the music with a whole group of people at your next dinner party.

Take a cue from the gorgeous world we live in. It's all dancing all the time. The waves, the trees, the fish, the clouds. They're all creatively moving in beautiful ways.

Join in.