Dance Connections Newsletter

March 2025

Fumbling Into Fun:

Embracing the Joy of Imperfection

Have you ever taken a group class with me? You might recall moments when I mixed up my right and left, or even caught myself teaching the man's part to the women. Maybe the phone in my pocket started playing unexpectedly, or you noticed that my assistant wasn’t yet fully trained to execute every pattern flawlessly. I often choose an inexperienced partner from the group for a live demonstration. These little mishaps aren’t flaws—they’re part of the authentic, playful spirit of dance.

The most fun I have on the dance floor is when my partner experiments with moves while I express the mood of the music. Often, this playful experimentation results in my hair getting caught on a button, an accidental whack on the head, a missed hand connection, or the amusing discovery that an arm doesn’t bend that way.

These fumbles make the experience far more enjoyable than a stiff, overly serious performance. When someone wears a serious face—concentrating on every step, trying desperately to recall a pattern, or even getting angry with themselves or their partner for "doing it wrong"—it stifles the fun, ruins the spontaneity, and chips away at confidence.

In a world that often prizes polished perfection, many dancers, especially men, may feel pressured to hide their beginner mistakes. Some even work in secret to perfect every move before surprising their partner—a 50/50 risk at either delighting or disappointing them. Yet, the pursuit of a flawless image can create an awkward, robotic interaction that misses the beauty of genuine connection.

A true partner is a safe space for making mistakes, not a critic of them. When we allow ourselves to be imperfect and laugh at our errors, we invite trust, playfulness, and real growth.

This March, I invite you to celebrate the journey—from the stiff, tentative beginnings to the fluid, expressive dance that emerges when we let go of perfection. Embrace your fumbles, your missteps, and the unexpected moments that make each dance uniquely yours. After all, it's in these authentic, imperfect moments that true connection is born…both on the dance floor, and in relationships.

Line Dancing

Move For Love Community Dance: Sat March 1st at Holy Redeemer Parish Hall, 23 Vargas Alley, 2pm (Line dance lesson only) $25 donation

Thirsty Horse -- 7pm every Thursday and Sunday lessons w/ Shellie
Stetsons Helotes--every Fri at 8:30pm w/ Shellie starting 3/14.
Canyon Lake Locations: 10:30am, Tues-Fri -- W/ Melissa https://www.linedancemelissacanyonlaketx.com/class-schedule
Watering Hole, NB -- 6p Tuesdays w/ Michelle