My dance career came to a screeching halt after breaking my toe in a dance rehearsal for a show.  I was crushed and heart broken, after the splints, pain medications and lack of dancing had its toll on my body I was unable to pick up where I had left off.  The love and respect that I learned for dancers and instructors was tremendous.  I learned to work with all types of people, from the naturally kind and always giving to the very meticulous, eccentric, and hard to please choreographers. 

In my studies of dance, I learned a lot more than most dancers would typically learn.  In the program I was in, I learned to dance of course, as well as how to take care of my body.  We had health classes, anatomy classes.  I was drilled on the various body parts, both skeletal and muscular.  I was taught various self-healing techniques and ways to reduce the risk of injuries. 

I have performed for the mentally challenged, the prized dance instructors, and even the highly trained ballet masters.  I have performed on various surfaces from the preferred suspended dance floors, to hard concrete.  I have performed on true stages and on the corners of streets during various art festivals. 

I would have to say that I loved the freedom and experienced that I gained from dancing and I am working with my previous highly influential instructors to find a great solution for my own two girls who seem to have a love of dance.  While I do hope they too love dance, I want to share the experience of learning from someone who is wise and knowledgeable in the methods of doing something so beautiful and exhilarating. 

I am working on trying to organize a group of parents in my area for my daughter’s class, after all my kids are only 2 and 4 they are not old enough under normal standards to be a part of a traditional structured class.  However, a free flowing class is always ideal for that age group so they can learn and experience the joys of dance without all of the heavy structure and discipline being drilled into their beautiful little heads. 

I highly encourage parents to find some activity that their children enjoy.  Whether it is bowling, karate, dance, a music instrument, or perhaps soccer.  Some form of activity that they can participate with other children their age is always a huge benefit since it allows them interaction with other children to learn how to interact and still take instructions from authority figures.  The benefits of the extra curricular activity far outweigh the costs of the equipment and fees associated.