| Dancing is an ancient tradition which has been used for | | | | Moreover, caring and support can make a tangible |
| thousands of years to celebrate happy events, and is | | | | difference in health outcomes. |
| rooted in expressing love. From antiquity up to the | | | | Love creates the biology of happiness and positive |
| present, dancing has been a traditional part of wedding | | | | energy |
| celebrations and celebrations of birth in many cultures. | | | | Research shows that women facing cancer who are |
| Both weddings and childbirth express the power of | | | | members of caring support groups have better |
| love - romantic love and love for a new baby. | | | | outcomes than those who are not. Over and over |
| In particular, belly dancing has ancient roots in weddings, | | | | again, research shows that knowing that someone |
| fertility, and birth celebrations; love songs often | | | | loves you helps survival during life's greatest |
| accompany these dances. Some cultures still have a | | | | challenges. Dance classes are a great way to meet |
| loving tradition of female friends dancing around a | | | | new friends; many close friendships are forged through |
| laboring woman to support her efforts during the | | | | dancing. |
| birthing process. Not surprisingly, modern evidence | | | | Furthermore, scientific studies show that by merely |
| shows that having supportive women friends present | | | | observing acts of loving kindness, the observer's |
| during labor helps a woman during the birthing process. | | | | immunity is enhanced. Showing love towards animals |
| Love shows in a smile, in dance movements, lyrics, and | | | | directs positive energy to them too. In an Ohio State |
| in holding the arms out in a loving gesture-all part of | | | | University study, rabbits receiving identical |
| dancing. Smiling is especially important in dancing; dance | | | | high-cholesterol diets had different health outcomes |
| instructors often remind students to smile during | | | | depending on whether or not their handlers regularly |
| performances. A smile communicates joy and love. | | | | hugged and petted them. Partner dances such as |
| "Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of | | | | ballroom and salsa include a loving touch, since |
| love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing," said Mother | | | | hand-holding is often a part of these dances. This is a |
| Teresa. | | | | beautiful way to connect with your mate. |
| Reaching out to help others | | | | Other studies have shown that having a pet to love is |
| Charitable giving is an act of love, and many dance | | | | good for human health. Some dancers involve their |
| events benefit charities. Dancers often organize | | | | pets in their performances; a professional |
| benefits and perform at fundraiser's for charities that | | | | husband-wife dance team includes their little dog in |
| support research and cures for diseases. Dancers | | | | their Oriental-inspired theater performances. |
| also sponsor charitable performances for senior | | | | Express your love today |
| citizens in nursing homes and non-profit events that | | | | A dance student told me that she started taking belly |
| benefit schools and other organizations. | | | | dancing classes for her husband's benefit, as a loving |
| I organize an annual charity performance at a nursing | | | | gift for him. Some belly dance students create dances |
| home. The elderly in nursing homes deeply appreciate | | | | for their spouse in celebration of a special anniversary. |
| young people coming to perform for them, and our | | | | Show your love for someone special today! Here are |
| group brings smiles to many faces. I was touched | | | | a few ideas: |
| when the director of the nursing home told me that the | | | | Think love: send good wishes to all your friends and |
| residents look forward to my group's performances so | | | | family, especially those who are sick or coping with |
| much that they post our pictures where they can see | | | | stress or sorrow. |
| them all year long. | | | | Talk love: tell your loved ones that you are thinking of |
| Dancing through a crisis | | | | them. |
| One of my friends organized a support group for | | | | Read love: look for the theme of love in everyday |
| cancer patients and their spouses. She was inspired to | | | | stories in the news. Charity concerts, stories about |
| do this by her own experience with cancer, believing | | | | pets, and wedding announcements are love stories. |
| that dance and social networking help in coping with | | | | Sing love: sing a love song to yourself in the shower. |
| the stress of a cancer diagnosis. This group meets | | | | Dance love: dance in the privacy of your home, |
| regularly for ballroom dance classes, salsa classes, and | | | | dedicating your performance to a loved one. |
| other partner dances. Dancing helps these couples | | | | Give your loved ones a smile and a hug today! |
| express their love and support for each other. | | | | |