How to Dance As If No One Is Watching

The Irish proverb encourages you to "Dance as if no one is watching; sing as if no one is listening, and live as if each day were your last!" You can take the proverb literally or figuratively, either way you will benefit. In the Irish culture music and dance are intertwined with life; so let's talk about dancing through life in the literal sense.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Music that makes you want to move
• A good sound system
• An open space

1. Picture yourself moving with ease and keep picturing it until you can see it in your mind's eye. Put all negative or critical thoughts our of your mind. If you start to doubt yourself, take a minute and laugh. Ask yourself, "How serious is this?" Let loose and have a little fun.

2. Start the music and get yourself moving. Warm up and imagine you are at a party where you are the host and everybody loves you!

3. Realize that it doesn't really matter if you are a good dancer. All that matters is that you have fun! People love to be around other people who are enjoying themselves; it is contagious.

4. Listen to the music, feel it in your body and move with the music. Create your own moves, and mix them with the popular dance moves. Rehearse this frequently until it is second nature.

5. Take it on the road! Let yourself be free. Remember, "Dance as if no one is watching!" Recall that people like to be around others who enjoy themselves. Dance from your soul, and enjoy your mind and body moving in sync.

Tips & Warnings

• Dance is an aerobic activity; think of this as a fun way to stay healthy.
• Dancing keeps you young; children move without inhibition, let yourself be youthful!
• Dancing is a part of many social occasions, let yourself join in the fun!
• Dancing can be very intimate; see yourself as being close to someone you care about. Focus on that person and block all other thoughts.
• As your comfort level increases; you may feel increased confidence levels in other areas of your life.
• Dancing might make you happier. The more you dance, the happier you feel!
• The more relaxed you become, you might influence others to dance "as if no on is watching."
• Dancing might increase your health; don't dance if you don't want to get healthier.

[slphilbrick]

on 8/28/2008 People in general are far too self conscious, making their movements stiff. Taking "dance as if nobody is watching" literally and turning on the music in your own home can be very liberating ... try it while doing housework !