It is ironic, I think, that we consider the season in which nature seems to be shutting down for the impending winter as a season of new beginnings. According to a well-known office supplies company, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year,” as children begin school anew, eager and fresh-faced for the next chapter of their educational adventure. Some religions celebrate the creation of the world in the fall, reflecting on the year that was and preparing for the year ahead. In workplaces, projects get started, the fiscal tap on budgets gets opened, and recruitment ticks up. In my coaching business, referral sites see an increase in volume second only to January. And Salsaholics often enjoys a spate of new students.
Fall is indeed a good time to prepare for how you want to invest time for the coming cold, mostly inside-activity months. For most people, winter involves less physical activity than does summer and aside from the insanely busy holiday season, it involves less social activity as well. We also know that one of the most effective ways of maintaining emotional and psychological health is by connecting with others. Of course, if you’re reading this, you already know that dance is the ideal activity for helping to sustain wellbeing in all three aspects—physical, emotional, and psychological. You probably have taken a class or two (or ten) with the great group at Salsaholics Anonymous.
If it’s been a while since you’ve joined us for class, this fall might be an ideal opportunity to come out once again. I’ve heard from many students who have been away from dance for quite some time for a variety of reasons, and realize that they miss it. One told me how much they looked forward to Thursday nights each week to provide them a welcome break from the pressures of their week-to-week life, and wondered why they had stopped coming in the first place. September, the “Season of Beginnings” is a great time to get a head start on what might otherwise be relegated to a new year’s resolution.
And, don’t come alone! As you likely know, you don’t need a partner to join classes at Salsaholics Anonymous. In fact, it’s one of the ways in which we accelerate learning to be a great lead or follow, by changing partners throughout the lesson. More experienced dancers learn to accommodate less experienced dancers, and newer dancers get to learn with those who have been dancing for some time. Couples don’t get into bad habits because they haven’t experienced anyone else leading or following.
When I suggest that you don’t come alone, I’m referring to that friend we all have who has said since time immemorial that one day, they’d like to learn how to dance. And they always manage to find an excuse not to. This fall, do your friend a big favour and bring them along to a trial class (for only $5). They will experience first-hand the fun dynamic of our classes, and we’ll get them dancing at the first lesson. During the final warm evenings of the late summer, you can even bring them out to one of the last Sidewalk Salsa events of the 2018 season.
So, as the leaves are thinking of changing, as students return to their classes, as nature itself prepares to survive another cold winter, isn’t it time for you to once again get active, get social, and get dancing, as we…
See you on the dance floor.
Mark