Why Dance On Valentines Day?

There are so many options for Valentine’s Day fun. For example, the usual suspects: candlelight dinner, romantic movie, cards professing your love with beautiful poetic language. Each and every idea wonderful in its own respect. 

They’re great. Seriously.

Also, they’re old standbys that over time can feel stale. 

I have a fresh fun alternative. Do some dancing with the person you love.

Here are a bunch of reasons:

1. Beginners Mind is Sexy

Beginners mind (or Shoshin in Japanese) is a concept from Zen Buddhism that refers to an open eagerness when approaching something new. Going out for some dance lessons gives you the perfect opportunity to show your cutie how much fun you can be doing something new.

And here’s the thing…

Dance can be scary. 

You’re in a room doing movement that’s new to you. Looking at your body in a mirror. It can be a big ask for some. Luckily, in partner dancing you’re never alone. You literally have someone holding you the entire time, sharing a vulnerable moment. Where else will you have a night where you can try something new, prove you can be open to fun new things, and share a vulnerable moment all in the same night?

2. Dancing will get your Blood Pumping

It’s no wonder the symbol for Valentine’s Day is the heart. Getting your heart rate up is a wonderful idea when you’re on a date. The exercise will release some neurotransmitters such as endocannabinoids and dopamine. Endocannabinoids function as the “don’t worry, be happy” chemical. After these molecules are released our bodies do a better job regulating stress or anxiety. Perfect if you're nervous for the date. Dopamine is released through physical activity and is one of the chemicals responsible for happiness. Dancing hard creates a feedback loop that rewards you with happiness simply by engaging. 

3. The Simple Act of Touch will make you want to be Closer 

When you touch another person your body produces a hormone known as Oxytocin. This hormone is also known as the love hormone. This chemical has been linked to feelings of connection. One of the main times you are pumped with Oxytocin is during your birth. It is one of the reasons that Mother’s and babies have such a strong bond. Just think of it… the mere act of touching someone during dancing bonds you more deeply. 

4. Dance Lessons make a Great Surprise

Unless your partner has been pushing for dance lessons they won’t have a clue what you’re up to. Surprises make people feel cared for deeply and add a spark to the relationship. Valentine’s day is once a year, so why not go with something out of your ordinary? Who knows, you may find something new that you both love.

5. Learn to Read Your Partner’s Body Language

At the center of the idea of Leading and Following is the ability to listen and understand physical cues from your partner. Both the leader and follower need to be sensitive to their partner’s movements in order to dance together. The more you dance together, the more you’ll start to know when your partner s about to do something, like going right or left. You’ll know when they feel a certain way, like tenses or relaxed. As this process deepens your ability to adjust on the fly to your partner’s needs deepen. With practice, you’ll be able to see their mannerisms off the dance floor and know how they are feeling. 

6. Dance is Something that Stays with you

So yes technically that foil swan that your server made out of your leftovers does count as something that stays with you, but eventually that food will spoil. Dance, unlike your leftovers, doesn’t good bad. Actually, the more you dance the smarter your body becomes. Valentine’s Day is an amazing time to create new memories with people that you love. Dance classes will not only engage an experience that will be fun and frivolous for you and your partner, but it also engages your ability to learn something in your body also known as muscle memory. Muscle memory is best exemplified in the old phrase, “It’s like riding a bike.” The reason the type of balance you need to ride a bike stay with you is because of your bodies ability to remember. Even one night of dancing has the ability to stay with you forever. 

So what are you waiting for? 

Plan your Valentine’s Dancing here.