The Dance Partner Poem

A dance partner is, the left to your right, 

They dance in the morning, or late in the night

Some win, some lose, some blame, some cry

From the first competition, to the final goodbye.

Some dance partners can, completely frustrate you

They push you, and praise you, until your next breakthrough.

So let's take a moment, to lend a kind word

Instead of the norm, severe, or absurd

For dancing together, is too great a gift

To let fear and frustration, develop a rift.

Your partner's too special, as a pair you connect

The best practice, for practice, is to practice respect.

The Dance Partner Poem Analysis

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

R - Remember - Take a minute before you show up to your next dance lesson to remember the moment when you decided to do this.  Think of the positive byproducts learning to dance has brought you and your partner.  Where would you be in your ability to collaborate and communicate if you replaced this time with sitting on the couch? 

E - Emphasize - Take a minute to emphasize the positives. In all transparency, nobody wants to make a mistake when they are dancing.  How you respond to those mistakes will dictate the mood moving forward. Emphasizing the positives, and eliminating the harsh criticism, will keep any partnership, dance or otherwise, much healthier.  

For more reading material on this subject, we recommend:  "3 Business Books Every Ballroom Dancer Must Read"

S - Strategy - Sometimes we enter a dance lesson with the best intentions but with no strategy.  The best strategy for a great partnership on the dance floor is to "empty your cup" and stay open minded to instruction and feedback. 

P - Patience - This is essential, not only when it comes to the learning curve, but also for good partner dancing. Leaders can't lead partners that aren't patient enough to wait. 

E - Encouraging - Do this to the degree that your partner needs it.  At Arthur Murray, we emphasize that there must be evidence in your compliments, and the same can be said for encouragement.  A kind word when you are frustrated is like a smiling face, but evidence of the positives is the hand that helps you out of your rut.

C - Calm - Arthur Murray consultant, Bill Jacobson, frequently reminds dancers that "It's not brain surgery people, it's dancing".  So as important as the choreography is, or the event that is coming up, staying calm will keep the self induced pressure at a minimum and allow you to enjoy it.  

T - Try - One of the biggest differences between non-dancing couples and a dance couple is that you are constantly expanding your collective comfort zone.  This is a good thing.  Do more of it.  Nothing puts you on the same side more than having a common "fun" adversary.  Whether that's a new dance ("Zouk anyone?"), a new project, or a new venue - try everything, it's good for both of you.  

Final Thought

One of the greatest aspects of partner dancing, is that every dance requires an invitation.  For that moment, you are inviting that person to be your partner.  This is part of the mystique of ballroom dancing.  The nod to the old days of charm and elegance.  

The request itself may last for a song, or a lifetime, but the real challenge is to be the best person on your side of the dance frame.  

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