"You don't stop dancing because you grow old. You grow old when you stop dancing"
- Unknown
Let’s clear one thing up right away; there is absolutely no such thing as being “too old” to dance. Whether you are 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 or beyond, the answer remains the same. You see, dance has nothing to do with how old you are, and everything to do with how passionate you are. If you have the will, want, and desire to dance, then nothing can stop you, especially your age.
Think of all the skills you’ve mastered in your life. You’ve learned how to walk, read, write, ride a bike, drive a car, and do about a million other things. So are you really going to look at me with a straight face and tell me that you couldn’t add “learning to dance” to your list of accomplishments? I’m sorry, I’m just not buying it.
I can understand, however, how the older you get the more reservations you might have about taking a dance class. You’re worried about walking in and being surrounded by a sea of 20-something year olds who have been dancing since they were little kids, and you won’t be able to keep up. My counterpoint to this fear and anxiety is simple - you have developed the maturity and discipline over the years to not only blend in with the crowd, but to actually stand out.
Dance is a mindset. While there are certainly physical elements to it, there are also a great deal of mental components as well. This is where your life experience comes in handy, as you might be able to lock in and concentrate even better than you could when you were younger.
Perhaps the most important reason to start taking a dance class as you grow older is the benefits that come with it. It’s no secret that the older you get, the harder it becomes to remain active and get the necessary amount of exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is the beauty of dance, as it is able to provide you with a very rare combination - exercise and fun. Along with the physical advantages, dance also provides several social advantages as well. It allows you the opportunity to spend time with friends and family who share your love of music, along with the chance to meet new people and make new friends.
If you’re still not convinced, please view the videos down below that will hopefully give you that final push towards enjoyment in the form of dance.
- Joey Savoie