Changing Lives through Dancing by David Woodbury
Arthur Murray Dance Studio Santa Monica
A very Happy Holiday season to you! The celebrations are in full swing and they are happening all around us. Shopping, traveling, parties at work, events with friends and with families. Cards, gifts, concerts, special dinners and get togethers. It is a flurry of wonderous activities!
Here at Arthur Murray Dance Studios, it’s my favorite time of year. Special decorations, special holiday dancing events, nights out dancing with orchestra and dinner, and all the excitement of preparing for dancing in 2026. Our theme for next year is “Steps & Kicks in ‘26”.
I find that the dance studio is a safe and happy place for our staff and students. Not everyone is getting enough rest with all the obligations, and there is no slowing down of things to do. When our students come in during December, they can relax for a while and dance and have fun learning and have a fun social interaction with others.
If you have the blues in December, dancing is a good way to take your mind off the hustle and bustle of the busy season. There is something to be said about dancing putting you in the present moment. We are not worried about the past days, and we are for just a moment not fretting about tomorrow and what’s ahead. We are in the present moment and we are free and happy in that moment.
The parties, the gifts, the dinners, the cards to send will all be waiting for us after we dance, but our gift to ourselves is that wonderful time of moving to the music together on the dance floor.
I realized today that I have spent 49 years of my life celebrating the holidays with Arthur Murray Dance Studio. I’ve always had a wonderful dance family to celebrate with, many fun events to attend, and a lot of love from my students and the studio teachers and staff. It has been wonderful dancing through all these holidays with Arthur Murray.
Many times, the holidays may not always be merry and bright. There may be illness, loss, a change in career, moving to a new place, ending a relationship or enjoying a new relationship. Perhaps there is health news that comes during these times. We all need love, support, comfort, and a helping hand when these times come.
My phrase that I use all the time is “It will get better, and it does!” Times may be tough right now, but it will all get better in the end, we will get through it together.
During this holiday season, this dancing season of celebrating, I keep my eyes and ears open to others to see how they are doing. Perhaps they need an extra smile, a listening ear, a moment to chat, a hug, a laugh, or someone to celebrate with.
This December, take a moment and just practice smiling at others, giving a warm greeting, taking time to ask how others are doing and listening and sharing together. Share the love of the season, the joy of dancing, and the hope and knowledge that time is the best doctor for all things.
Have a joyous celebration! Jump into January with glee and with the anticipation of a great 2026 ahead of us all.
Remember, it does get better and it will get better!
Thank you for reading and Keep on Dancing!
“Dance & Thrive in ‘25” “Steps & Kicks in ‘26”
David Woodbury