When the news came down on March 16th that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer was about to close non-essential businesses, including exercise-focused entities like gyms and dance studios, to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, we immediately jumped to the possibility of teaching dance from afar. After all, when you know the power of dancing for your physical and emotional health, it’s not possible to just abruptly stop.
Right away, Fred Astaire Dance Studios created free and for-fee dance lessons online, giving our current students –and those just wanting try ballroom dancing – the option to learn ballroom from the comfort of their homes. It’s such new territory for us obviously, since dance is an interpersonal endeavor, where we connect one-to-one, person-to-person, to move in sync along the parquet, in time with the music, among a community of energetic individuals.
But we are thrilled at how online dancing is taking off!! What fun to test out your new steps from the comfort of your family room, pulling people with whom you’re sheltering-at-home into the fun of ballroom dance.
No matter where you are, ballroom dance has the power to elevate your mood, increase blood flow and energy, and get you into shape, mind, body, and spirit. Plus, it’s a great way to stay socially active safely in this era of social distancing!
Thus far, there are more than 330 online dance lessons from FADS instructors available for your choosing. Dance naturally boosts your mood, which many of us need, and it’s a great stress-reliever in these uncertain times. We love seeing familiar faces from afar and welcoming new people to the fold.
We also have group lessons and master classes streaming online, so people have the opportunity to connect with internationally renowned dancers, coaches and dance instructors like never before. While we lament the need to stay apart during this time, we are realizing how many good things can come from unexpected situations.
Check out our many options today! You’ll be glad you did. And then, when all of this ends, as it inevitably will, we can’t wait to welcome you back to our studios. Stay safe – and keep dancing! Remember…Life’s Better When You Dance!