When I was about ten years old I used to dance to the tunes of popular TV show such as Shaktiman, Captain Vyoom and Mahabharat on Doordarshanan by “jumping” on the bed and shaking my hands and legs like this (do some action).
Friends, I was a bad dancer.
Fellow toastmasters and guests,
Is there something you have always wanted to do in your life – maybe something you did in your childhood and gave up – but this dream have never left you?
That something for me has been to dance.
My mother thought I was a future dancer and will become someone like Michael Jackson (Do action) so she enrolled me for dance lessons but little did she knew that dance requires hard work and discipline. So I discontinued my classes.
Fast forward to when I was in my mid 20′s. Well I’m still in my mid twenties. I was sitting in my cubicle a mail for “salsa” workshop came. Fortunately the dream of being the next Michael Jackson never left me and I quickly enrolled for it and started dancing to the tune of Latin music.
Several months pass away but suddenly someone cam between me & my dance (long pause), I got a project.
Now my life got busy in order to meet always approaching deadlines. I was working until the wee hours and also on weekends.
Soon my erratic lifestyles lead to high stress level, loneliness and frustration.
Does this situation sound familiar to you?
My situation would have been worsened but I read a study by American journal which said that “Dancing regularly can reduce stress level by 52%”.
I had the motivation but not the discipline to keep going. So I procrastinated for a while but finally I took a decision to take control of my life and made a commitment to attend dance classes regularly.
According to the study by famous psychologist, Maxwell Waltz “it takes 42 days to develop a good habit”.
So for the next 42 days, I began dancing regularly for 15 minutes daily. There were days when I came completely exhausted from the work but I was determined not to give up and practice irrespective of anything. I wanted to make progress not excuse.
After 2 months, I was making progress as I was happy all the time, made several friends through dancing at socials and wasn’t complaining about high work pressure anymore.
Friends, this is my story of road to happiness, it could be yours too.
Dancing is not a show off, it has 3 major benefits –
#1 it can improve your health,
Have you ever suffered from back & joint pain?” (Please raise hands).
Did you know- According to the American research institute “Dancing for 30 minutes a day keeps both body and brain active, vital for people of every age. It improves strength and flexibility which keeps muscle and joins healthy.” So now imagine yourself dancing for 30minutes every day, you don’t have to pop painkillers and medicines anymore.
Taking time out in the day to partake in dancing can help to reduce stress level up to 52%.
#2 It can help you in making new friends
Let me ask you a question –
How many of you “Are you constantly bore of hanging out with bunch of same Toastmasters?”
Choosing to start a new dance can help you meet new people and make friends with people with similar interest. You can meet people from diverse background not software engineers. It can help you develop new perspective towards life as dance offers insight into other cultures either through dance style or meeting new people.
#3 Dancing can give you a sense of well being
According to the Indian journal of psychiatry “11% of entire Indian population which is approximately 11 Million people suffers from loneliness, lack of confidence and self-doubt”
Participating in dance can help increase your self-esteem and confidence through mastering new skills. It also offers a creative outlet to people to express their personality. It will add more color to your life.
Dance is a fun way to open up new possibilities, keep healthy and enjoy yourself.
Learn dance and dance will never disappoint you.
Always remember to dance to the tunes of life.
So why don’t you turn your passion whether it is dancing, swimming or any sports into a reality? Just go for it!
Thank you, over you Mr. Toastmaster.
P.S – This is my Project 7 ‘Research Your Topic’ from Competent Communicator Manual of Toastmasters International.
prAts!
Hey Tick tick..
nicely described the advantages of Dance 😉
I also did the same thing in childhood… used to dance to the tunes of popular TV show and Jumping on bed …
and yes, we’ll surely dance in next socials 😛
Very nice ! Eveone can relate to it !