It is the time of year when people are making their resolutions and bringing a focus to being healthy. Gym passes, exercise equipment, and telling yourself that this time you’re really going to love doing squats at 5 a.m. (bonus points if you actually do like 5 a.m. squats). But what if you don’t want to live, laugh, and do lunges? What if music makes your heart happy and you thrive in community? Maybe it’s time to get out dancing.
Dance has been a celebrated art form for millennia. Nine-thousand-year-old cave drawings in India show scenes of hunting, birth, death, and dancing. Rhythmic movement isn’t just fun; it’s one of the oldest forms of communication. It’s in our nature.
Kamloops has a plethora of ways to get involved with dancing. From Let’s Move Studio, Lindy in the Loops, Dance with Me Kamloops, Drop-in Pole Dancing, Latin Dance nights, countless community programs, and even Kamloops Burlesque, there are ways to get your groove on for almost everyone in town without ever hitting the nightclubs. However, all that dance practice can only improve your late-night dance moves.
There can be many reasons for getting involved in dance, though there seems to be some common themes. Local dance enthusiasts had this to say about what dance means to them:
Lindy in the Loops volunteer and general dance enthusiast, Neil Van Dongen, says: “For me, dance is somewhere between self-care and meditation. It’s not very complex. I just simply get lost in the music and don’t get caught up in specific moves but rather just enjoy an elevated heart rate and fun movement inspired by the music.”
Todd Paquin teaches Smooth, Latin, and Swing dance styles for the City of Kamloops and Dance With Me Kamloops, a club dedicated to providing people of all skill levels with a place to learn and practice partner-based dancing in a supportive environment. For Paquin, dance is a positive, joyful experience that provides a wonderful way to connect with people of all backgrounds and walks of life.
Kamloops Burlesque producer and dance teacher Coco Lacreme (stage name) shares that: “Dance gives me a space to be creative, to share art with folks, to find joy in movement. It is my main source of exercise and works out my whole body. As a teacher, I get so much joy out of seeing people learn and grow.”
But we all have to start somewhere, and for many dance is something that hasn’t been pursued as a regular activity. And maybe it’s finally time to give dance a chance. Even if you have two left feet.
Van Dongen had this to say for people looking to start a journey starting out with dance: “Stay out of self-judgment and commit to doing it for a certain amount of time because if you haven’t been dancing your whole life you are highly unlikely to feel natural when you start. Let go of the idea that people are just naturally good at dance. Although this may be true for a very select few it is not true for the majority, of which I am a part of. Despite that though I have really gotten into dance over the years and find it extremely freeing. Dance is a way for me to stay in shape without ever having to “try to exercise” because I enjoy it so much.”
Lacreme adds: “Look for classes that interest you. There are so many opportunities for folks of all ages and experience levels. For social dance, performance opportunities, or just learning and hanging out. Just jump on in.”
Dance is an art form, a social practice, a way to meditate, communicate, and connect with your body. From tribal beats to ballet, there really is something for everyone. Right here in Kamloops. Check your local Activity Guide, social media, or event listings to look for ways to get your body moving, just like we’ve been doing since the caveman days.