Have ever tried an exercise regimen —to get in better shape, to lose weight, or just to be healthier?
How did it end?
Was your exercise regimen a painful, uncomfortable experience?
If you made it more than one day, you fought hard! Good on ya!
More times than not though, you don’t stick with it … right?
The frustration of failing!
The shame of not following through on your promises!
Looking in the mirror and seeing little to no progress after suffering through pain and frustration!
Sick of trying?
I feel ya! It’s hard to sink your teeth into yet another attempt at exercise!
So, back to my original question …
Do Swing Dance Lessons Sound as Terrible as Exercise?
A while back I met an awesome guy who told me stories that brought tears to my eyes.
Chad Kubo’s “Swing Dance Stories” made me envision a world where the whole family frequently heads to the park to dance til they drop, getting in shape and enjoying fun and laughter with their community!
Communities with Swing Dance in the Park would become places where strangers quickly feel like extended family, and no one feels alone for long. Swing dance history is filled with happy memories!
When Chad talks about Swing Dance, his enthusiasm is so infectious he makes you want to experience it for yourself.
I figured Chad had been dancing all his life. I was surprised when he corrected my mistaken assumption.
Chad explained that he had a history of martial arts and really had never danced before he saw a documentary on Frankie Manning and Swing Dance, aka Lindy Hop. Manning was was one of the creators of Lindy Hop in the late 1920s through the 1950s. He had been brought out of retirement to teach this incredible dance to a younger generation, and was teaching in New York at the time.
This documentary was really inspiring for Chad, since at the time he was going through some major life changes and was struggling with symptoms of depression. In fact, it inspired him to make a bucket list and put DANCE on the list! Chad figured he was too old —he was in his early 40s— but figured better late than never.
Chad’s first dance class almost convinced him that he couldn’t dance! Luckily he had learned from past experience that if you fall down seven times and get up eight you WILL succeed.
One fateful day, Chad saw Frankie Manning’s name on a workshop flyer. He thought, “hey, that’s that guy I saw on the documentary!” It didn’t take long for Chad to make the decision to fly to Seattle to get dance lessons from the expert! He made reservations and got on a plane bound for Seattle. He didn’t know anyone in Seattle and he barely knew how to Lindy Hop!
In Seattle, Chad just played it by ear. He found a ride to the workshop venue and was walking with a large group of people toward the gymnasium as a limo pulled up. Just as Chad passed it the limo door opened and out stepped Frankie Manning!
Frankie stood up looked directly at Chad and extended his hand,
“Hi, I’m Frankie Manning”.
Chad says, as he accepted Frankie’s firm hand shake, he looked him in the eye with a nervous smile and said,
” I’ve been looking for you!”
The workshop was so inspiring that Chad headed back home to San Francisco with a dream to nurture enough Lindy Hoppers to form a ‘dance scene’. In the beginning there were only a handful of Lindy Hopper (aka Jitterbuggers). It took some time, but eventually the small handful turned into a Swing Dance Movement in California’s Bay Area!
Chad Kubo was dubbed “The Ambassador of Swing” in the Bay Area. He was a key figure in building San Francisco’s Swing Dance community into The Mecca of Lindy Hop in the World.
“My passion for the dance was all consuming,
I welcomed and danced with as many people as I could every night.”
“I wanted to share the joy of dance with everyone I met.”
I’m convinced that Chad’s passion for dance will never die!
Chad says he wants to spread the Joy of dance and music to
every community in the world!
“Dance has changed my life.”
“I have witnessed, time and again how dance has helped people with
social anxiety or shyness … I was one of them!
I have also seen many with physical challenges respond to
The Healing Power of Dance.”
“Dance connects people—from toddlers to teens to middle age to seniors!
The synergy it creates is remarkable, they all dance, smile and laugh together
despite the generation gap.”
Chad told me that he hopes to leave a legacy of jazz music and dance for his children. Sharing memories with their father will certainly give them stories to share with their own children, and their children’s children, for years to come.
Chad wasn’t “exercising,” but he was certainly getting in GOOD shape!
“What keeps me in shape, and brings joy to my life, is music and dance.”
“The only time I’m aware I’ve exercised is when I stop-tired or sometimes sore,
but feeling great.”
“When I dance, I can change my mental state in an instant.
If I’m down it lifts me up and makes me smile.
I can dance alone or join other dancers.”
“Anywhere and everywhere I hear music … I Dance!”
Chad asked me,
“What will inspire you to make your life more happy and joyful?”
“What will inspire you to lose weight, get in shape, change your mood?”
“What will inspire you to connect with others?”
“Can you collect friends?”
“Is life really worth living if it isn’t filled with rich relationship?”
Chad Kubo, Zen Dance Master, is very serious about healing the world one dancer at a time!
How to access the healing power of dance:
1) Learn how to dance
2) Really HEAR the music
3) Connect with people and create good times and happy memories with music and dance!
What does that look like?
How about a family dance night? Push the couch back!
You might invite extended family and friends to dance with you.
What would it take to utilize parks and community buildings in your city or town to grow a Movement of Dance?
Think of the endless possibilities!
I’m The Life Breath Coach, when I think of Dance, I think of “Breathing In Motion”!
Stay tuned for some good fun from The Life Breath Coach and The Zen Dance Master!
To get prepared for the dance floor, take a look at the most important book you will ever read.
Transforming your breathing will prepare you for the dance floor AND transform your life.
“Your Sacred Breathing Hand Book” will teach you how to transform your breathing!
Many blessings,
Carrie Tucker, RCP
The Life Breath Coach
Heart Failure Solutions
PS– Remember everyday:
- Relax and Release tension
- Exhale Slowly
- Be active in a way that adds Joy to your life
Plus pure water ~whole foods~sunshine~and laughter
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