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Why do we dance? (And what happens when we don’t?)Written: July 20, 2008For me, this is an intensely philosophical question. Dancing defines many aspects of my life and beliefs, for me to answer why I dance would be to answer why I am… me. Plus, I don’t like philosophy. So I have always tended to avoid thinking too deeply into the reasons behind dance. I simply accept that I love to dance and that it is an incredibly important aspect of my life.However, I recently returned from 3 months in Northern India on a UW study abroad program. I spent 10 weeks living in the rural, Lesser Himalaya and 2 weeks traveling. I learned a tremendous amount, adapted to a new culture, had incredible experiences, and made new friends. But there is no dancing in rural India. People are working all day, every day, to support themselves and their family. Only during festivals will the locals participate in folkloric dances. Only at weddings will you hear music being played. I was without Salsa or Tango. While my fellow group members were adapting to the new quantities of bugs in the bedrooms and digestive adjustments, I was trying to find someone to share my yearnings for dance with, even just to talk about it.During those 3 months I did actually manage to find Salsa in the Himalayas, a story for another blog, but I never stopped missing dancing and the general presence of music around me. It was so quiet in those mountains.In India I understood a little more of why I dance. I learned one thing in particular, that perhaps I have always known but never fully understood:Dancing is addicting. I declare it fact. I went through all possible signs of withdrawal, as my days turned into weeks.At first it was denial. I was unaware that I had gone “cold-turkey” by not dancing as I arrived in India. For the first week I didn’t listen to my music, I didn’t dance in my room. I didn’t even know I missed it. Then slowly the signs of addiction and withdrawal appeared: Irritability, anger, agitation, anxiety, depression, psychosis (seeing or hearing things that are not there [i.e.: hearing the 2-3 clave in...

Part Two: Excuse me, did you just Interrupt Me, Again?1.  Teach your child that the only time it is really OK to interrupt you is for an emergency, such as they need a bathroom and can't hold it, someone is hurt etc (you should as a parent decide what are acceptable...

Part One:  It’s Elementary my Dear, Please and Thank YouPart Two:  Excuse me, did you just Interrupt Me, Again?Part Three:  May I have Your Attention Please?Part Four:  Sharing Makes you CaringPart Five:  The Technology TangoPart Six:  The Family TablePart Seven:  Going Out and About Part One:  It’s Elementary my Dear, Please and Thank you1.  Most children already know please and thank you, this is the most elementary of good manners.  It is often learned by watching and listening to parent interactions or by parents gently reminding children to use them.  By three years...