CONTRIBUTOR'S CORNER–DANCE LIKE NO ONE'S WATCHING Evan Yelenich Disclaimer: This article is the opinion of the author and does not reflect the opinion of the Student Consultants, Student Academic and Career Services, or the College of Business and Economics.
There is an African proverb I like to live by… “When the music changes, so does the dance.” And I mean that literally. When I hear music, I just have to move—any type of music I hear, I like to let loose and shake my groove thing. I think everyone should heed this advice, because music is in your world and when it plays that becomes your time to let it all go. When hip-hop starts blasting, start to ball out and do the “modern” robot or the cabbage patch dance. Once country begins to sing a twang, clap your knee or square dance. While classical music vibrantly strums the cello or violin, pretend it’s your grand symphony creation.
Someone once said, “Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.” If you can’t dance, that is perfectly fine. There are a ton of people in this world that think they can dance but really cannot. People who can’t dance are hilarious! They don’t know what they are doing; however, they believe they are the best dancers in the world. They suddenly become the life of the party.
If you don’t have music, make your own and dance to that! My favorite music to create is the three-clap (two fast claps, followed by one clap)—it gets you going. I coach high school track, and at the state championship meet last year at Morgan State, a lightening storm rolled in. We had to go inside the gym. I needed to keep the kids pumped up and excited for the meet, so they would not lose momentum. So while we were inside the gym, we created a circle, off went the three-clap, and the athletes busted a move or two. A Japanese proverb states, “We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance.” Bob your head, stomp or tap in rhythm or just do the Carlton dance from Fresh Prince.
Sometimes the best part about dancing is at the beginning when the dancer cries aloud, “OHHH THIS IS MY SONG!!!” I know my eyes get bright when I scream this. As soon as you hear this, GET OUT OF THE WAY, because someone is about to break it down now. The best thing you can do is create the circle and wait for your turn to show off. A word to the wise though – only twerk to appropriate twerking songs (don’t overdo it). Ain’t nobody trying to watch that hot mess the whole night.
“There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them.” You should always be happy when you are dancing… NO EXECPTIONS!! Dancing adds years to life since you will be smiling, laughing, exercising, and having fun. Dancing puts you in a fun, positive mood and lights up your life. Add different dances into your repertoire like the Nae Nae or salsa. Gentlemen, if you know how to ballroom dance (waltz or tango) that will be more than a plus with the ladies. Ladies, if a goofy dancer starts dancing with you, let loose and have fun. Remember your hips don’t lie, your feet are happy, and your body needs to move – so just dance.