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Previous parts of this
series have examined various forms of dance: ballet, jazz, and pointe (Part 2);
tap, clogging, and Irish step (Part 3); and ballroom dancing (Part 4). Now it's time to see if maybe one of these is
for you! And if you think that "engineers don't dance," I invite you to read
(or re-read) Part 1 of this series.
Stop the Stereotype
Engineers and other
technical people are often stereotyped as anti-social or having poor people
skills. So get out there and stop that silly thought! Colleges and universities
like Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), Massachusetts
Institute of Technology (MIT), and Worcester Polytechnic Institute
(WPI) have some of the best ballroom dance teams around.
Why? It's because of the students' discipline, drive, and dedication to
practice.
Personally, I've
"converted" three very "nerdy" and "dorky" males (no offense if you're reading
this, guys) into excellent dancers. The one who played musical instruments
picked up the rhythm the most easily because he was already trained in the
musicality; however, all three were able to start dancing in college for the
first time without any prior experience.
Try Something New
Each form of dance has its
advantages, but all offer exercise and excitement. Whether you're 22 or 82,
dance is a wonderful thing to try when you want something new. There is a place
for all levels and abilities - and always room for improvement.
There are venues out there
where you can try any style of dance that you want. Studios hold group lessons for reasonable
rates, or you can get private lessons if you have the time and money to put
into it. Either way, getting the exercise will be great for your body without
being too intense (unless you want it to be). Plus, dance is relaxing for your
mind.
I hope this series has been
enlightening, and that I have inspired some of you to get out there to see if
dancing is right for you. Who knows? Maybe you'll be the next Fred Astaire or
Ginger Rogers.
Whether
or not dance is something that you enjoy, I hope that it has become of greater
interest. Now when you go to the ballet, watch "Dancing with the Stars," or see
a commercial for Riverdance, you'll
appreciate the biomechanics behind the dance and appreciate the human body for
the phenomenon that it is. And as always, happy dancing!
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