Baryshnikov’s insight (previous post) on what dance reveals about us got me thinking. I so admire the freedom and joy I see in gifted dancers. In some dancers, I imagine this freedom comes from years of lessons and disciplined practice. In others, it’s just abandoning themselves to movement, emotion, or music. I think for all, though, it takes humility to really soar. Couldn’t we all learn a few dancing-through-life tips from Arthur Murray?
Excerpted from The Arthur Murrays’ Dance Secrets, by Arthur Murray, ©1946
- Don’t steer your partner around the floor like a bicycle.
- Don’t be so serious. Leave your business face at the office when you step out.
- Don’t say you hate dancing just because you don’t know how.
- When you make a misstep, don’t blame the orchestra.
- Don’t brag “I never had a lesson in my life.”
- Don’t dance passively—be glad you’re alive.
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3 comments:
I love those comments. I think they would do well for life, in general.
I wouldn't want to know what Baryshnikov would say about me, based on how I dance :-). Nobody but my kids sees that.
Who is your favorite dancer?
I would have to say for me it would be Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers and Donald O'Connor, who played Gene Kelly's sidekick on "Singing in the Rain." Gene is amazing but Donald is exhuberant. I wish they made more of those type of films--cheesy but joyful.
Gene Kelly is my fave, I think because of his athleticism. And when Baryshnikov was dancing, his leaps took away my breath.
And I agree with you, Kris; I'm embarrassed by my dancing style (or lack thereof). :-)
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