Does dancing make you happy?

by Benoit Rajalu

I have my own secret move on the dance-floor. It's called the, “fall back in the kitchen when people start dancing” move. Everybody else meanwhile is clinging to the basic easy steps known as the victory dance, the holiday dance or even their own custom I’m-feeling-remotely-happy dance. Are any of these familiar to you?

Or does it work the other way, can dancing making you happy? Indeed, you bunch of dancing people have the excuse of science to back up your groove.

Rosa Pinniger, a research student in the department of psychology at the University of New England, is studying the effect of dance on depression. She has found that tango lessons, for example, can help people beat their blues. “While you’re doing tango you can only be in the present - you really have to focus, concentrate, and it doesn’t allow your thoughts to drive into your mind,” she told CBC news.

According to her theory, having a little tango alongside more traditional ways to deal with depression will help you feel better: “If people can have a break from their negative thoughts for three minutes, which is the time of the tango, they can realise that it is possible,” said Pinniger, “While they are doing tango, this is what it is, nothing else. So all their problems and their thoughts, they cannot be, they are not invited in the tango.”

In an attempt to understand how such nonsense could apply to real people, my two left feet decided to confront an old nightmare, dancers.

Angélina Jandolo is in her third year of a BA at the Laban Centre for Contemporary Dance. Does dancing make her happy? “Yes it does,” she says, “Firstly because I just enjoy moving: it helps me relax through the necessary amount of concentration which does not let you think about anything else.”

Tango theory

Rosa Pinniger might have been onto something with her tango theory, but focusing on dancing is only the start. “I enjoy having the impression that I can be a completely different person,” Angélina continues, “Allowing me to forget myself, to a certain extent. But dance also makes me happy in a broader way: I have met some amazing people, seen a lot of amazing things in arts in general and this has changed my way of viewing the world; the more I study dance, the more I find myself interested in it and in all its contexts (artistic, political andsocial) and the more I have developed as a person.”

Does being a dance student spoil the fun? “I guess if you don’t pay attention then it could really make it less enjoyable, because you will feel pressured to do it right. I personally try my best to keep my child-like, passionate approach to dance lessons. If I have to miss a class on the rare occasion, I do it, because I know there is no point in forcing myself. The day after, I am much happier to go to the class. Plus, I know that I might not be able to do that as a living, because I might not find a job, or if anything happens like an injury, well it makes me enjoy my student life even more.”

Students of the University of the Arts will certainly relate. Of course, we might not all have what it takes to become a pro. But Angélina tells me that it is not necessarily about studying dance, happiness can be found more easily.

“In a more “everyday life” perspective, the last time I remember being really happy when dancing was this summer: me and a friend ended up randomly in an open air salsa club in Stockholm. I don’t know how to dance salsa, but just dancing with a partner, learning new steps by the water in a country I had never visited before, made me really happy.”

So I guess the answer is simple, dancing can make people happy; I was ready to concede, but what about those who just can’t dance, what does Angélina have to say about us?

Are we doomed to be those sad, lonely, people who are forever banished from the holy dance floor? “I really think that exercising in general brings people happiness because of the release of endorphins, and any kind of music you like can help you relax as well, I think dance is the perfect match between the two.”

For those with two left feet

So if you can’t dance, just exercise while listening to music. It might not be as social as dancing, but you might end-up with a six-pack and a nice body. Don’t forget that if you ever feel like UAL might be the cause of a breakdown, it can also make things better.

You will be very welcome to join any of the societies providing dance lessons, should it be break dance, ballet, modern dance, or even jive, if you feel like it. Alternatively you could just learn a single step, and find sanctuary in the kitchen when the crowd of happy dancers starts shaking things up.

Do you want to take up dance? There are plenty of places in the capital to get involved in dance. Two of the best are: The Laban centre runs course in classical ballet, contemporary dance and afrincanistic movement amongst others. For a full list of courses log on to www.laban.org or call 020 8691 8600.

Pineapple Dance Studios also holds classes from everything from ballet and ballroom to street and jazz. Log on to www.pineapple.uk.com or call 020 7836 4004.