Listen

I believe every life has an inherent uniqueness that makes us who and how we are it is the very essence that allows us to be all that we are. Likewise, every single one of us possesses a unique sense of movement.

​Just as how we treat another reflects who we are, the way we choose to dance with another too often reflects who we are. Dance is not merely a physical exercise; it is a mirror to our inner self.

As a dance teacher who has taught many styles, I have seen a beautiful truth time and again. When a person is learning to dance with the music and moves that resonate with their being, they feel completely at one with it. Even if they may not  master the exact technique or choreography, they are still experiencing the joy of the expression. It is as if every cell of their being becomes alive in those moments.

​Yet, not all are able to know or decipher what is their kind of dance style, or what form suits them the most. Often, I have been coaching my students in choosing their suitable dance styles, helping them look inward to decode their own unique movement personality. It certainly has been an absolute joy to watch them learn to dance what they love the most.

​To find your own way, it helps to first look at how you relate to the world around you. Think about your answers to these reflections:

• ​What kind of a dancer are you?
• ​Do you like dancing alone?
• ​Do you prefer dancing socially on a moment’s notice?
• ​Or do you freeze when in front of a crowd but love to dance when you are on your own?
• ​Do you fancy yourself to be a performer on stage, a cynosure of all eyes?
• ​Or do you love dancing because it makes you feel better inside out?
• ​Do you crave attention and recognition from your audience?
• ​Do you prefer to dance in a group setting?
• ​Or are you just a dancing soul who waltzes with life?

​Your natural comfort zone in life often points directly to your natural comfort zone in movement. There is no right or wrong answer here. A performer craving the stage and a solitary mover dancing in their living room are both experiencing the exact same truth of human expression.

​If you are a beginner and are wondering what dance form would suit you best, here are three practical questions that might be helpful to answer for yourself.

​1. What dance style do you enjoy watching?

​Often, what fascinates your eyes is what your body secretly longs to try. Look at the styles you gravitate toward as a viewer.

​2. What kind of music do you enjoy most?

​Your favorite genre dictates your natural internal tempo. The music you naturally play at home or listen to when you relax will tell you what rhythm your body wants to follow.

​3. What is your level of fitness?

​Choose a style that honors and respects where your body is today, whether you want an energetic workout or a mindful, grounding practice that lets you build strength at your own pace.

​Whatever is your way, keep dancing with all of you. The way you want to!

Savvy Raj