Bubble Lounge Dance Party

“Dancing makes you feel good because it makes you feel so alive.”

Ginny Brown, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing

 Our ancestors painted their cave walls with pictures of dancers. Even babies instinctively jig in time to music. There is no culture on earth that doesn’t possess an urge to dance.

A few months ago (now in my 60’s!) I bought a Victrola record player so I could re-create those times when I was younger, when vinyl was how we listened to music and danced…for hours. From that inspiration, I remodeled my dining room into the BUBBLE LOUNGE decorated in colors of red, silver, black and white complete with twinkle lights, bubble chandelier, black velvet love seat and, of course, a lava lamp.

This past Monday eve I had my first women’s dance party in the Bubble Lounge and it was a blast!  Inspired by the music of Chaka Khan’s I’m every woman, Respect from Aretha, and What I’d Say by Ray Charles, we rocked out together doing the Twist, the Pony, the Monkey. When Willie Nelson belted out Mountain Dew, we even followed Becky in a line dance! But mostly we swayed with delight to our own uniquely expressive rhythms moving to the groove, freeing the soul to DANCE!

Dance is something you can enjoy at any point in your life, no matter what your ability. Dancing is a great stress buster, helps in keeping us fit, and even gives us a more positive feeling about life. When we dance with our whole bodies and hearts, there is an emotional element to it. Research suggests that it’s good for the body and good for the mind, but it’s also good for the soul.

How is it that such a simple physical act has the ability to lift the spirits? Dance psychologist Dr Peter Lovatt of the University of Hertfordshire, better known as Doctor Dance https://www.peterlovatt.com/  (Check out his fantastic book!!)  https://www.peterlovatt.com/the-dance-cure/  explains, “dancing stimulates us physically and emotionally while there are also cognitive and social elements to it. You appear to get a much bigger release of endorphins when you dance than during other forms of exercise.”

So my friends…get physical, emotional, pump up those endorphins, express yourself and let the good times roll. Rock and roll!