Did Covid-19 Kill Partner Dance?

It is hard to believe that it has been 4 months since I last social danced. It has also been 4 months since I have taught a partner dance class.  The requirements for everyone (except those that live together)  to be six feet apart, at all times, makes it near impossible to dance any form of partner dancing. *sigh* 

I think about dance a lot, and how much it means to us. My personal favorite styles are bachata, salsa and zouk. I have also been a long time lover of swing styles, blues, and fusion.  6 feet apart? If I'm doing footwork, sure it is possible. But footwork is only a fraction of the whole of dance. The point is to dance with someone. When I'm dancing with someone, I give that person my entire focus, for that entire song.  The person I am dancing with is the most important person in that moment. 

As a dance teacher, I teach that partner dancing is more than just the physical connection that each style requires.  It is about trust, non-verbal communication, surrender, joy, understanding, and taking care of each other.  Dance builds community. Dance creates friendships.  When people come to our classes, they leave smiling, fulfilled, and with new found confidence.  Yes, we must learn the steps and yes, we must hold our frame, but what is more important is that we dance together to create a deeper understanding of ourselves through each other.

So did Covid-19 kill partner dancing?  I think we will need dance more than ever. I realize that it may take a while for us to dance like we used to, and we look forward to when that time comes and trust in everyone's own journey back to class and back to partner dancing! 

​"Nothing eases suffering like human touch" ~Bobby Fischer

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