"He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying". This quote by Friedrich Nietzsche could be the beginning and end of this article. It's not.
Then let's compare this to the typical non-dancer's assessment of your latest dance routine:
"So, uh... you should, like, do way more spins."
After an eye-roll, a slight gurgling feeling in your stomach, and a thorough deep breathing exercise you say thank you, walk away, and hopefully found this article successfully on your internet connected device.
Learning to dance is like a road trip, or a painting, or a bunch of other things. Regardless of what you compare it to, it can be difficult to put into words... but not anymore.
Sure, ballroom dance has become your new language, but fear not... we have translated your hobby into a dialect that anyone can appreciate.
As much as we would like to take supplements, drink shakes, or infomercial our way to a lean and sexy body, getting in shape is a process that you can't gimmick your way through. With a consistent schedule, the right supervision, and plenty of perspiration, however, anyone can see regular, realistic results.
Just Like Dancing... and the Process of Learning
Getting in shape is a process. It's least comfortable in the beginning, it can be awkward, it's easy to second guess the decision, but with a regular schedule, the right supervision, and plenty of perspiration - you can achieve incredible results.
However, wearing two piece outfits is optional for either activity.
Dating rules suggest that you should take a break, three to five days, before communicating, or dating the person you just dated. So the fact that anyone locked in to these dating rules actually ends up in a relationship is a miracle.
Just Like Dancing and... Keeping your visits close together
As crazy as it seems, there are some people that feel that they need to be good dancers to show up for a dance lesson. Or, unfortunately, they think they should take a lesson, and then a long break before their next one. You know... to "prepare". Progress with this rationale will be, simply put, limited.
This isn't new information to you, but each planet in our solar system has it's own orbit. So a year on Mercury is far quicker than a year on Neptune. The planets aren't racing each other, so as far as we know, there isn't any "orbit envy".
Just like dancing and... Your Unique Dance Journey
When learning how to ballroom dance, there are different skills with varying amounts of time to make them comfortable - like the varying orbits in our solar system. So, while footwork may be a quick "orbit" for you, posture may be on a slower orbit. The great thing is that it isn't a race, and each and every lesson is moving that skill further toward the desired outcome.
Granted, in a movie there's a really great training montage that lasts 30 seconds but covers months of development in some hero desired activity. We all love a montage because it's set to cool music, it covers a long duration of time that might get a little boring to watch, and you can see a clear before and after with the hero's results.
Just like Dancing and... Enjoying the Process
Watching someone improve will always be less interesting than experiencing it first hand. In fact, a training montage with 80's music would eliminate your appreciation for all of the incremental, interesting, and enjoyable progress - and you can always request 80's music on any lesson. All in all, you're the hero in your own Dancer's Journey, and that beats watching anyone else's journey regardless of a montage.
A mural tells a story. It's elaborate, it takes a great deal of planning, skill, and execution to complete. Due to the amount of detail, and overall scale of the work, some people may need to take a few steps back to appreciate the picture. Others, on the other hand, with an appreciation for the skill of the artist, can look up close and marvel at the most minute detail.
Just Like Dancing and... Appreciating the details
You may have friends and family that have no idea why you got mixed up with a crazy hobby like ballroom dancing - until they watch you dance. Sometimes all it takes is a single dance performance for that friend, colleague, or family member to see the "big picture" behind your dance hobby. Your dance instructors, and sometimes other students, can appreciate the fine detail of your dance journey. They understand the incremental steps, the subtle brush strokes, and the technique that goes into the big picture. They notice the small details, even though they are invisible to the casual observer.
For most Americans new to the world of eating Sushi, they start with an easy point of sushi entry - The California Roll. Others, however, want to take on a more traditional, less mainstream, approach to the Japanese cuisine. Then there are those rare types of people that want to try the thing that would make anyone else cringe.
Just Like Dancing and... Recognizing that every student is different
There are many people that take the "California Roll" approach to learning how to dance. They start with something as familiar as possible in an, otherwise, unfamiliar environment. These are the most common new students in social dancing. They start safe, at their own pace, and gradually work their way up.
Then there are those that want to learn all the dances that are the most traditional, the most expected of a ballroom dancer. They aren't distracted by the latest dance crazes, they appreciate the history of ballroom, and want to adhere to it.
The fearless types are those that love a challenge. Like that spicy tuna roll that's never spicy enough, these are the students who want to go to the biggest competitions, perform the most challenging routines, and wear the most daring dance costumes as quickly as possible.
Just getting in line is a big deal. You've dreaded it for years, had a few nightmares, but the combination of peer pressure and sugar has you moving closer and closer to your inevitable demise. You get on the ride. You look at your friends like it's the last time you'll see them. You mouth something, but all that comes out is a faint whimper as the clickety clack rattling of this torture device, or "roller coaster" begins to climb up to show you a view of your city before you plummet back down to Earth.
Five minutes later there are tears in your eyes and you're waving your hand in a motion the way a seasoned bar patron orders another round of drinks. You're running back into line with a grin on your face because not only are you "not dead", but you've never felt so alive.
Just Like Dancing and... Taking your first Lesson
Maybe you've never felt the near death horror of an anticipated roller coaster ride. Maybe learning to dance is that roller coaster. Just like a roller coaster, the anticipation, the speculation, and the nervous energy all subside within the first 5 minutes.
No one in the 105 year history of Arthur Murray has ever said "I'm so glad I waited this long to start dancing", and we're not sure we could say the same thing about roller coasters.
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