Dancing is a possible cure for society's ills
Jerry Johnston
That's great news.
And it makes me wonder if dancing could help the rest of us beat our own demons — the demon of anxiety, for example. Or the demons of anger and fear.
Dancing is on my brain, I suppose, because I hang out with so many Latinos these days. Where Anglos say, "There's a dance after the meeting tonight," Latinos say, "There's a meeting before the big dance tonight." I've never known people happier to hit the dance floor.
For most other Americans, however, dancing has become a spectator sport. We watch ballroom routines and ogle celebrities waltzing around. Dancing, we say, is for the young.
And I think those of us over 50 are poorer for it.
Deseret News Publisher Jim Wall points out that men used to dance to show their power and strength (think of the Maori and Zulu warriors). Now, instead of kicking up their heels, they kick other men.
Yet more than therapy, dance has always been a form of self-expression — showing our joy, love, even our reverence. "Praise his name in dance," the Psalmist says. And what Bible reader can forget the image of David "leaping and dancing before the Lord."
We smile at the Whirling Dervishes. But those spinning holy men are onto something. Maybe they realize that dance can be a royal road to spirituality.
And maybe, by abandoning dance in favor of individual sports, we've lost something of ourselves and our connection with others — not to mention a lifeline with the infinite.
In the 1850s, Western humorist Artemis Ward came through Utah and attended a Mormon dance. He said Heber C. Kimball had trouble staying off the toes of his partner, but Brigham Young was elegant and smooth. Brigham even invented the "Beehive Dance" to show the Saints how to work together.
My parents were dancers — twice a week. And it served their marriage well. They spent many hours at Brigham City's old "Dance and Bowl." Like pairs skaters, dancing helped them stay close, even when they weren't feeling especially close.
Dancing doesn't have to be a metaphor for sex. It can be an alternative.
I fell in love for the first time at one of those big LDS dance extravaganzas. I wouldn't trade those feelings for anything.
If dancing can ease the suffering of those with Parkinson's, surely it would help us ease the strain from the roller-coaster economy, the war in Iraq, the anxiety of picking a new president and the ire over those who abuse children.
Brigham City's Dance and Bowl is long gone now. But my brother does play in a nifty little country band.
Maybe it's time I took a cue from my Latino amigos and made dancing a bigger part of my life — not only for myself, but for the peace of mind of those who have to deal with me.
Maybe it's time my wife saw her "Maori Warrior" in action again.
E-mail: jerjohn@desnews.com
Recent comments
It was a pleasure to send a copy of this great article to Aunt Carol...
Nadine Fluckiger | May 7, 2008 at 11:35 a.m.
The other week, my husband and I had the opportunity to dance together...
Boogie Wonderland | May 6, 2008 at 12:30 p.m.
DAncing short circuits the short cirucuits of Pakinsons?
...
Bearman | May 3, 2008 at 9:03 p.m.
