It’s another Bank Holiday here in the UK, and that means something important didn’t happen this week… we didn’t have our weekly Doctor Dance Class. And I’ve got to admit – I’ve been feeling a bit blurgh.
That got me thinking: What actually happens to us when we miss a dance class?
There’s an old saying in the dance world:
“If you miss one class, you notice.
If you miss two classes, your dance teacher notices.
If you miss three classes, the audience notice.”
But beyond the technical skills and choreography, what do you notice – in your body, your mind, and your relationships – when you miss a dance class?
Let’s break it down using the STEP framework – a model we use at Doctor Dance to understand the Social, Thinking, Emotional and Physical benefits of movement.
Social – The Power of Togetherness
When we dance together, we bond. We smile at each other, we move in sync, and we share a unique kind of social energy. Missing a class can leave us feeling a little isolated – like we’ve missed out on a joyful conversation without words.
When I miss a dance class I sometimes feel a dip in my mood, an increase in loneliness and a feeling of being stuck to the sofa as my motivation for doing anything vanishes – this is when I hear Lindsey (my wife) saying “Peter, go and dance”.
Thinking – Dance Gets Your Brain Buzzing
Dance stimulates our cognitive functions – from memory and concentration to problem-solving and creativity. When we miss a class, our thinking can feel a bit sluggish, or we may find ourselves ruminating more than usual.
There’s a quick and easy way to test the sluggishness of your thinking. It’s called the Alternative Uses Task (AUT). All you have to do is to point at an everyday object, such as a TV remote control or a tape measure, and think of as many alternative uses for that object as you can in two minutes. Once you’ve done it with an object, try doing it with your life. How many potential alternative tomorrows can you think of for yourself?
We know that dancing – particularly improvised dancing, can increase the number of alternative uses that people generate during the AUT.
Emotion – Movement Is Emotional Expression
Dancing is a powerful emotional outlet. It helps us express, release, and regulate our feelings. Without that regular emotional “shake-out,” emotions can build up – like steam in a pressure cooker.
Christie, my massage therapist, can tell when I’ve missed too many opportunities to dance. My emotions get stored and stuck in my back and neck and I carry them around like a toddler on my shoulders. Dancing helps me to release pent up emotions and this helps me think, feel and sleep better.
Physical – Feel It in Your Body
From head to toe, dancing helps us feel alive. It stretches, strengthens and shakes off tension. When we don’t move, our body lets us know – it can feel stiff, tight, or just ‘off’.
Dancing can give us a full body and brain workout. From the origins of groove in our pre-motor cortex, to our wildest physical extravagance dancing shakes us up.
What Can You Do at Home?
Missing a class doesn’t mean missing out altogether. Here are a few ways to give yourself a mini STEP boost at home:
• Social: Call or message a dance friend. Reminisce about a favourite routine or plan when you’ll next dance together.
• Thinking: Revisit choreography in your head – visualising dance is a brilliant brain workout!
• Emotion: Put on your favourite track and have a solo boogie in the kitchen. Let your feelings move through you.
• Physical: Stretch, sway, bounce – even five minutes of movement can unlock tension and lift your energy.
Missed a Class? Don’t Worry – You’re Not Alone
We all miss classes sometimes. Life (and Bank Holidays!) get in the way. But dance is always there for you – whether in the studio, in your living room, or even in your mind.
So if you’re feeling a little blurgh like me, remember:
A little movement goes a long way.
Let’s dance again soon.
