Ballroom Dancing

What inspired me to start ballroom dance lessons was the movie Mad Hot Ballroom. It's actually an unscripted movie about what inner city kids have learned through the ballroom dance program that was incorporated into their school's requirements. I wish this requirement would be included in every school.

The movie showed how at first the students didn't want to touch their partners because they had cooties. Some students would even skip class or just sit in a corner. After a little while, the students never wanted to miss that class and they became very dedicated to practicing for a competition. The audience got to see the progression of how the students viewed their dance partners and the opposite sex. We got to witness the group mature and prepare for a competition.

I've been taking classes for about three years now. Last night, my class performed a showcase waltz routine. This was my first ballroom dance performance. We had a wonderful time. We watched expert dancers perform and then there was general dancing after. We had a fabulous time. I can't wait to do it again.

It's fun to be the youngest in the crowd. But there are definitely children that take classes and compete. People can really learn a lot from ballroom dancing.

1. Being in sync with another person
2. Partnership
3. Dedication to practice
4. Being comfortable with the opposite sex
5. Guys learn how to lead
6. Women actually have to follow
7. Guys learn how to handle a woman with grace and respect
8. Manners