Valentine's Day Special
Love: What I Have Learned Through Dance
reading time: 2 mins
I pondered for about two months whether I should write a Valentine’s Day blog. I found myself especially hesitant about expressing my theory on the connection between dance and romantic relationships. My community motivates me to write about this: among the many ways dance helps us connect with our bodies, dealing with the aftermath of failed or troubled relationships is a recurring theme in our classes. Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” continues to empower, Adele’s “Someone Like You” can make moving on feel challenging, and Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” blames us for living experiences that are part of life. As some of our students truly connect to these melodies, their bodies light up and some tears might drop. These are memorable moments we treasure so much during class.
As we teach people to be in touch with their bodies we challenge the common belief that our worth depends on someone else’s actions or having ANYONE is better than being ALONE.
In those quiet moments of solitude, we often forget that love extends beyond romantic relationships. It's also present in the friendships we cherish and the careers we're passionate about. However, let’s face it: when January ends and our feeds are flooded with promotions about where to take our Valentine, it's easy to lose sight of this. And rightfully so.
You are deserving of a loving, exciting and authentic romantic connection if you want it.
So how do we find it?
When I started dancing, I was very reluctant to fully embrace any move, choreography, or dance style that didn't immediately connect with me. As I explored various dance styles within the industry, my priority was to remain true to my identity as an artist. I have been inspired by many mentors in my journey, and I still am; I just never ignored the feeling of something not respecting my boundaries and beliefs. For me to dance, I had to be truly connected to what I was dancing to.
With time, I learned how to put my guard down and be able to apply whatever I was learning to my craft. I had to recognize that in order for me to grow, I had to let the challenge in. I had to trust that I was not going to lose myself by welcoming someone else’s guidance in my life. Learning how to stay true to myself has taught me how to set boundaries. By welcoming the challenge in, I have allowed people who really care about me to support my well-being. To me, this logic applies to romantic relationships as well.
Love is about genuine connection
Two people find each other through physical attraction, mutual goals, and their ability to meet each other's needs. It amazes me how simple this sounds as I write it. But here’s where the conversation gets really interesting. I have a question for you:
“Would You Date Yourself?”
Don’t leave this page yet. Please, stay with me!
Being honest with this question might be very challenging for some, but it is crucial. If you would date yourself, list a couple of reasons why and focus on them when you find yourself in a challenging place. These are your strengths, which we tend to forget while we travel through new experiences.
If you wouldn’t date yourself, it's groundbreaking to understand why. By listing the reasons why you wouldn’t date yourself you make space for improvement, not for the other person but for yourself. It takes tremendous strength and honesty to do that. And if you do have the courage to answer and delve into it, you are opening doors to an extraordinary journey of self-development, which is essential for nurturing true love and healthy relationships. It's about taking a blunt yet loving look in the mirror and asking if we're as committed to ourselves as we are to the pursuit of romantic love. And here is the part I think we trip up the most:
“That special connection we say we want so badly is also the one that will consistently challenge us.”
Please be mindful: this is not the same as chasing the idea of a connection that is not reciprocated. It's just that love, like any other part of life, is about personal growth. By committing to our personal growth, we make space for fulfilling, exciting and loving connections.
Society has its script, influenced by cultural expectations that can sometimes drown out our inner voices. But as human beings, change is within our nature, and love, in its truest form, is about breaking free from those narratives and embracing connections that are genuinely fulfilling. That comes with stepping out of our comfort zone, taking a proactive step to connect with someone special, and most likely, the most meaningful experiences with that special person will significantly improve our quality of life.
“LIFE IS GREAT AND WITH YOU IS BETTER”
Photo Credit: Duane Lyken Photography
I hope this Valentine's Day blog has offered you some encouragement and inspiration to forge deeper, meaningful connections. It's both astonishing and beautiful how, as dancers and movement artists, we're able to decipher so much from the language of our bodies.
If any part of this resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments. And if you're feeling inspired to engage further, consider checking out our upcoming classes or joining our community on Patreon.
Amanda,
Founder of Alternative Synergy The Company
In need of a special gift for a loved one?
