Dancing for Joy by Carolyn M. Ball

I was sitting over coffee with Foster and Judi Lampert talking about the benefits of dance. I personally had found it to be such a rewarding experience, that I rarely missed an opportunity to dance or take lessons.

Whenever I dance, people ask me why I have such a big smile on my face. "I don't know," I always answer, "I guess I just love what I'm doing." So I was excited when the Lamperts moved to Asheville, North Carolina and set up dance classes utilizing a group approach to teaching ballroom. It made lessons economically available to everyone, and it would surely help strengthen and build an already seriously committed dance community in town.

"What are some of the benefits you've seen in people's lives from attending your dance classes?" I asked.

"People seem to gain a greater interest in themselves, in taking care of themselves, such as losing weight, or developing a greater awareness of music and rhythm, or just having more fun," Foster explained. "With increased confidence, they feel more comfortable trying new things. Sometimes people are afraid to try dancing because they imagine they can't learn, so they are pleased to realize that everyone can learn to dance. We've even had professional atheletes tell us their sense of timing and coordination were greatly enhanced through dance."

"On a more psychological level," Judi added, "we see that people tend to cut back on drinking as a way to socialize; they find they don't need alcohol to 'loosen up' and feel confident. As far as the social aspects go, we have never said things like 'it's a great place to meet people,' because that's not the focus we want to promote. On the other hand, we've had numerous couples meet and marry at our studio back in Bloomington, Illinois. Dance always helps to open up a new scope of friendships and healthy relationships, for it draws nice people, ones who are interesting, fun-loving and open-minded.

"Thousands of students over our combined thirty-five years of teaching have told us that dance has changed their lives," Foster elaborated, "but you have to stick with it. Like any skill, the more you put into it, the more your ability and enjoyment increase."

"Yes," Judi added, "we love people, dance and teaching. I don't feel that I go to work; I go to fun."

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