Congratulations to Kath Marks who won a dance session give away from Dance Studio 101 after emailing us her story which we've posted on this page. More giveaways to be announced shortly.
Maya Sheridan, Director of Dance Studio 101 in Sydney, shares her story with us this month about the power of dance to reduce stress.
Watch a group of her Solid Gold 80s dance students (all 9 - 5 office workers!) do their final course routine, it's dancing at it's silly, fun best.
What's the most enjoyable thing about dancing?
Being able to escape your world, your worries and the problems of everyday life. Moving to the music and feeling free.
How can dancing help individuals stress less?
Because you are in the moment with the music, your instructor and yourself you are able to calm your mind, be centred, decompartmentalise and channel mental energy through an enjoyable physical activity.
Dancing has become the latest trend; can you suggest ways for people to find a style that suits them?
My suggestion is to just try. You can either look up styles you are unsure of on youtube or all good dance schools should have complete descriptions of the styles they provide. Generally a type of music you resonate to can help you decide what style could be good.
At the moment we run a lot of short 4 week courses like our Solid Gold 80's, Michael Jackson's "Thriller" or Dirty Dancing. It's really less about deciding on a style but more to be a part of something that you all work on together, like the culmination of a group routine at the end of a 4 week course.
To me it's about the process or journey, throw yourself into it and have fun. All of those harder decisions can come later.
What age group is dancing suitable for?
All ages...young to old. I plan to still be dancing when I'm 80 or at least tapping my toes, as recent studies have shown dancing is the best way to fend off Alzheimer’s.
What do you personally do to stress less?
Getting amongst my students having a great class....nothing makes me happier than seeing the smile on everyone's faces after a great session. Alternatively, putting some music on, shutting the door and letting loose.
Read on for more stress less stories or share your own with us!
Sandra Hoffman, from Sydney's inner west, shares her stress less story with us:
My life consists of working too hard and making lists of all the things that I'd like to do when I'm not working too hard - learn spanish, go sailing, volunteer, play soccer, play music, go for a walk, and on and on. People tell me to try yoga to help me relax but even the idea of having to organise and timetable a yoga class makes me anxious, and committing to anything as long term as learning a language is completely beyond me. The problem is that unlike my colleagues who go home to families or to sports training, I work late (because I've got nothing else to do) and then think about work all evening. It can be a nasty cycle, so when a good friend handed me a postcard saying "sign up for that course, join that club", I knew exactly what she meant - if I can't get over my short-term objections to signing up for something (ie, not enough time), they will never happen, I will never have any time, and I will never relax. So, I'm thinking about looking into salsa lessons, and I've made a list of crochet projects for my friend's soon-to-arrive baby...
Kath Marks, 30, is from Sydney:
I bus to the city and then walk the extra 30 minutes uphill to work which helps to wake me up and (hopefully) see a little sunshine. A few times a week I go to dance classes, even though I'm not particularly graceful, I get a good work out and a few laughs.
Sarah Cooper is 27 years old from the Bankstown area:
I contribute to my local community by being a volunteer visitor to an elderly woman in a nursing home. I also contribute as a State Emergency Service volunteer. I find helping others a real benefit in my life and I couldn't not do it. Not only does it give me something to do but it makes me feel so good about myself afterwards. In 2010 I'm planning to give up alcohol for the year and have fun without it, and do another course at TAFE to further my work in the disability field.
Lithgow resident Ariel Elliot shares her stress less story with us:
I'm 65 years old and living with bipolar. I try to get as much exercise as I can but the main thing that has helped me regain some self-esteem and joy in life in the past few years has been getting involved in the local primary school as a volunteer. I also took up playing saxophone a year ago and now play with a local jazz group - this also has been a great source of support and inspiration. My goals for 2010 are signing up to 6 months of tango lessons after having a taste in 2009, getting fit and most of all, having lots of fun!
Would you like to share your stress less story? Email us and we'll post it on the website!!