Sheryl Kraft

freelance health writer


By 24 Comments

Gotta Dance!

Do you like to dance? If you do, when is the last time you danced?

Dance was a childhood passion that came to a pause long ago. As a young child, I was passionate about ballet dancing. The more lessons I took, the more I loved it and the more I excelled until my local teacher, Judy, recommended that I pursue more serious dancing at a more serious-type dance studio in New York City. I guess I was that good.

 

That's me, starring as the dancing Snow White in 1962.

That’s me, starring as the dancing Snow White in 1962.

That’s not to say I had the chops to become a professional dancer; though I suppose I’ll never know, will I?  That’s kind of where my ballerina dreams ended. My mother worked full time and wasn’t able to accompany me into the city for lessons. And I was way too young (I think I was about 10 or 11 by that time) – and timid –  to take the trip myself. Defeated and disappointed, I stubbornly quit my local lessons and instead chose to do nothing but dance in my head. Yes, in retrospect that might not have been the right choice, but try telling a brooding adolescent that they’re making the wrong decision. And besides, parents were less hands-on back then, or at least, that’s how I experienced my childhood. But that story is best left for another time.

I never did quite stop thinking about dance, though. It’s tough to watch professional dancers spin and leap across a stage without thoughts like “Could that have been me?” rushing through my head. And each time I watch a live performance, my arms break out into goose bumps and my eyes well up as I’m awed by the beauty of a dancer’s amazingly athletic, graceful body and the dedication and hard work it takes to make it onto that stage.

But enough about me. That story  spins round and round, like an endless pirouette.

Let’s return to my original question:

Do you like to dance? If you do, when is the last time you danced?

I just returned from a wonderful visit to the all-inclusive destination spa, Rancho La Puerta  aka “The Ranch,” a beautiful and tranquil 3,000-acre health and fitness resort located in Tecate, Mexico, near San Diego, California. I hiked. I meditated. I met fun, interesting women, feasted on organic foods grown in The Ranch’s very own breathtakingly beautiful gardens (which we visited one day in a breakfast hike). I attended stimulating and interesting lectures (including a fascinating look behind reporting for the New York Times by writer Robin Pogrebin), walked a labyrinth, learned how to use a foam roller and beat drums made from upside-down garbage cans in a fun, energetic Cardio Drum Dance class.

Robin and I stop for a photo op on the Professor Hike on beautiful Mt. Kuchumaa.

Robin and I stop for a photo op on the Professor Hike on beautiful Mt. Kuchumaa.

I rejoiced in the treasure trove of dancing. Zumba one day. Step aerobics the next, with cardio hip hop after that. The best and most unexpected? Strip Tease with Manuel. I was hesitant at first (I have a feeling I wasn’t exactly alone in that!), but with everyone raving about it – and him – I had to see what it was all about. Between the dance moves, the howling laughter and pure delight of watching and joining in on Manuel’s enthusiasm and incredible routine, I didn’t regret the hour, which passed by in a flash. And in case you’re wondering: we didn’t take off our clothes. It was all in good fun.

We strike a pose with talented Manuel; that's me on his left and my BFF Ellen his right. All in good fun!

We strike a pose with talented Manuel; that’s me on his left and my BFF Ellen his right. All in good fun!

 

My dance immersion extended into the final night at The Ranch, with a special celebration to cap off the week. We toasted the end of an amazing visit with some delicious Mexican wine, traded stories about our stay, and were treated to a special show by the renowned choreographer Yuichi, whose dance lessons are legendary (I first met Yuichi during my visit to Golden Door Spa years ago, when I took one of his popular Broadway dance classes. There I was on Broadway! Or so it felt).

Grand finale with Yuichi!

Grand finale with Yuichi!

 

As Yuichi completed his routine to the music of a fabulous live band, his dazzling smile still igniting his face, we could resist no longer. We set down our wine glasses and stormed the stage, started a conga line around the perimeter of the dining room, then jumped back onto the dance floor and danced like nobody was watching. Minutes passed – or was it hours? – and I was conscious of nothing more than my feet moving, my heart pounding and a return to the joys of my childhood passion.

Oh, how we danced!

Oh, how we danced!

Live like you’ll die tomorrow, work like you don’t need the money, and dance like nobody’s watching.

Bob Fosse

 

 

Comments

  2. Maybe this isn’t the kind of dancing you’re talking about, but B and I take adult education classes in ballroom dancing. We went last night and learned a new merengue routine! B dragged me into this extracurricular activity a cpl of years ago, but now I like it, and I recommend it to everyone and all concerned — a great way to meet new people, get a little exercise and have a lot of fun.

    Reply

    • The last time my husband and I tried a ballroom dancing class he stepped on my foot then declared he hated it. We never went back. I need a new partner if I want to pursue it, I suppose!

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    • Well, dancing is not for everyone, I suppose. There were many people sitting it out that night, too. Perhaps they were enjoying being in their heads, as well 🙂

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  5. Wow, what a great trip. That spa sounds wonderful! You lucky duck. Oh, and now I have finally found something my Libra sister and I don’t have in common– dancing. I can only find the beat after a couple of glasses of wine. Lol.

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  6. That looks like so much, fun, Sheryl. I took a Fosse dance class at Canyon Ranch and it was so great (and difficult!) to do the Broadway moves we all love. Glad you had fun at Rancho La Puerta.

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  9. Love all these adventures you take!! Never knew about your ballet background, just knew you were such a great dancer in “Carousel” in high school!! I do love dancing, and always think it’s such a great way to get the aerobics in. Such a fun way to exercise

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  10. Loved your post!! Sorry you missed your calling when you were younger, but I’m glad that you’re making up for it now. Better late then never anyway…
    It looks like you had such a great time at the Ranch. Can’t wait to hear about your next adventure…Good for you!!

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  11. I love everything about this post, including the fab pictures of you. Yes, it’s been far too long since I’ve done anything resembling a dance. Love the Fosse quote.

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  12. This is why I love going to group classes at the gym – the music is great and you can incorporate dance “moves” into just about everything. It’s so much fun.

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  13. Stinker! Looks like you had a great time. I do pick up my new puppy and dance around a little with her (along with singing made-up songs about her), but that’s about it.

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  14. I used to have a passion for basketball just like you passion for dance. When I saw people on TV, I would have the same thoughts you did. Could that have been me? Then I come back to reality and realize that my life is really good and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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  15. Hello! I am also a dance lover. I started dancing at a very little and love to watch the dancing shows. Loved your passion about dance it’s really inspirational. Thanks for sharing your views with us. Keep posting such blogs.

    Reply

  16. I really wish I was put in dance classes when I was younger. A great friend of mine has been in dance classes since she was 3 years old. She made it into the top 20 of So You Think You Can Dance this last season!

    Reply

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