A few words with our student, Patti Brozek:
“I just love it,” says Patti Brozek, a 44-year-old Bloomfield Hills mother of two. “When I am dancing, I am not a mother, I am not a wife, I am not an employee. I am just me.”
Patti started dancing after a colleague whisked her onto the dance floor at a work party and flipped her over.
“I said, ‘Ohmigod, do that again!’”
The friend encouraged her to sign up for lessons and after doing so at Fred Astaire Dance Studio in Bloomfield Hills, she “was hooked.”
Aside from the fun of it, and the thrill of performing, ballroom dance has taught Patti a myriad of lessons – not the least of which is how crucial it is for busy people to make time for themselves.
“I’ve learned patience,” Patti says.
“Doing something fun and finding time to do it is so important. Try to find someone who’s not smiling when they dance – you can’t! It’s pure fun.”
Students often come for one reason (a child’s wedding, a desire to lose weight) and stay for another (newfound camaraderie, a sense of belonging, an unexpected love of performing). There are so many benefits of ballroom.
Stanford University researchers confirm that ballroom dance can help prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia. Other studies show regular dancing reduces depression, builds confidence and helps with weight loss, too.
Plus, it’s great fun.