Americans for the Arts

My dance company in the DC area, Moving Rhythms LLC, provides dance instruction to members of the local community, along with unique social events that bring people together. I specialize in Cuban social dances like Rueda de Casino (similar to square dancing) and Rumba, a playful partner dance, and have traveled and performed both domestically and internationally to hone my craft.

Since my enlistment in the US Air Force, I have conducted group classes on military installations since 2013. As part of Moving Rhythms, I began Dance4Defenders, which aims to provide dance-related programming to military members and veterans wherever I am stationed. Most recently, in February 2019, I hosted a dance class at the Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore.

But, let’s talk about the benefits of dance! In the last few years, dance and health professionals alike have touted the numerous benefits of dancing, from both physical and mental standpoints. These include every aspect from improved heart and lung function to increased confidence and psychological wellbeing.[1] However, dancing can have even more positive implications for military service members and veterans.

Dancing fosters camaraderie and esprit de corps.

When individuals dance with one another, whether in a group class or in a social setting, a feeling of unity often develops. It is especially magnified within settings dominated by service members. Because dancing is not always most people’s strength, there are often moments of comedy and playful banter among participants. Because laughter can increase rapport, this activity is very beneficial when it comes to relationships between command elements and their members, supervisors and supervisees, and peers with peers.

Dancing is an incredible stress reliever.

Some would disagree with this statement due to the difficulty that can arise when learning a specific movement pattern or sequence, or the perceived notion of having “two left feet.” However, despite these inhibitions, the act of dancing can lead to a decrease in stress and anxiety. According to Fred Astaire Dance Studios, dancing can also “decrease loneliness among all age groups,”[2] due to the communal nature of a class or social setting.

Dancing enhances body and spatial awareness.

In basic military training, recruits are taught military customs and courtesies, which are essentially universal across all five branches. One of those customs is the art of drill, which involves marching and other various movements. Trainees learn how to perform these movements mostly in unison. Simultaneously, they become more aware of themselves in space and in relation to others sharing that same space. It is a skill that stays with members throughout their military career. Dancing strengthens this ability because participants develop greater awareness of their bodies, both internally (how a movement feels in their body), and externally (how a movement is done in relation to others).

Dancing builds greater cultural understanding and awareness.

Dance is a form of cultural expression, and oftentimes, styles of dance can be traced back to times of persecution, political strife, and oppression. In these cases, dance brought people together and nurtured unity amongst them. For example, in Cuba, Rumba is a dance that was first performed by enslaved persons during the 19th century and was seen as an expression of vitality and freedom.[3] As such, learning a dance style from a different culture allows military members to better understand one another and enable them work together more cohesively. Greater cultural awareness also gives way to increased inclusivity and acceptance amongst members.

“While I dance I can not judge, I can not hate, I can not separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. This is why I dance.” —Hans Bos