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Dancer’s Horoscope: Sagittarius

Dancer’s Horoscope: Sagittarius

Sagittarius

The month-long cycle that begins with today’s New Moon is a period of relative solitude for you, dear Sagittarius. This is a period of physical and emotional replenishment, review of the past, tying up loose ends in your life and some passivity.

It’s quite natural for you to retreat a little from the pressures of competition and even social life now and to do some soul-searching. However, these aspects can help you so move toward them. You’re likely to take a serious look at how you can bring more spirituality or simply quiet time for reflection into your life. You need it!

The Arthur Murray take

That seems pretty self-explanatory… Time to look at your dancing and make sure that you still have the basics down. Don’t ever forget those fundamentals. They will always help you – they are the foundation for your learning. And make sure you do some social dancing or even competitive dancing in the coming year!

Our Famous Mentor

Our Famous Mentor

The history of the Arthur Murray Franchised Dance Studios began in 1912 with a man named Arthur Murray, an American symbol of entrepreneurial success and social dancing. Murray was among the first to use advertising techniques considered cutting edge at the time. His concept of selling dance lessons by mail, one step at a time, took the use of direct mail to a new level.

Murray’s creative use of print advertising attracted national attention, as did his business acumen. In March of 1920, using students from Georgia Tech, Murray arranged to have music transmitted to a group of his dance students a few miles away. This was the world’s first radio broadcast of live music for dancing.

Prior to World War II, Arthur Murray teachers were a regular part of every first-class steamship cruise. During the 1930s, the Studios introduced such dances to the public as the Lambeth Walk and The Big Apple. In fact it was The Big Apple that launched Mr. Murray’s one Studio into the largest chain of dance schools today.

In 1942, singer Betty Hutton with the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra recorded the big hit song ‘Arthur Murray Taught Me Dancing In A Hurry’ for the movie ‘The Fleet’s In’ and by 1946 there were 72 Arthur Murray Dance Studios across America.

Arthur Murray was the first to realise the growing popularity of the latin dances in America during the 1950s. Many conventions were held in Cuba during that time to give Arthur Murray dance trainers first-hand knowledge of the hot new latin styles and moves that were in vogue and becoming popular.

In July 1950, Mr. Murray purchased 5 fifteen-minute television spots on CBS and persuaded his wife Kathryn to do the teaching. Before the third show, Arthur bought a half-hour summer series on the ABC. The show was called the ‘Arthur Murray Dance Party’. By May 1952, the Murrays had televised almost 100 programs. The TV ratings climbed and in the summer of 1952 they signed with their first sponsor, General Foods. Millions of viewers all over the United States fell in love with the show and flocked to the Arthur Murray Dance Studios throughout the country. This highly popular show ran for 12 years on national television.

In 2006, Arthur Murray International celebrated the induction of Arthur and Kathryn Murray into the Hall of Fame at the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs, New York.

New Years Resolution: Have More Fun Out Of Life

New Years Resolution: Have More Fun Out Of Life

As we begin our journey into 2019, so many of us look at our lives with fresh hopes and ideas of making positive changes.

To become healthier and happier appeals to all of us, and it’s for this reason we find our Arthur Murray Dance Studios world-wide being inundated with new student inquiries. Dancing is a ‘one pill’ solution to so many of our goals to improve our overall quality of life.

1. Exercise improved health & fitness levels

When people dance we don’t think of it as exercise, yet it uses every part of your body and because it’s fun, you’ll do it for longer and more often during the week. When you’re having fun feeling and moving to the music, you body can’t help itself – it just wants to keep moving and dancing!

2. Improved social life – Meet more people

Arthur Murray Dance Studios focus on the every day social use of dance. Along with full-time teaching hours, dance parties are held fortnightly at your local studio encouraging students of all levels to meet, mingle and enjoy dancing with fellow students and instructors. Topped with gala balls, dinner dance outings both locally nationally and internationally, you’re bound to make a new bunch of dance friends when learning with Arthur Murray.

3. Improved personal confidence

Dancing allows you to explore a different side of your personality. No matter how serious your every day job or role in life might be, through dance we can become free of inhibitions by becoming one with the music. Sensual latin rhythms speak to our soul and as we learn to move to the beat, we become in touch with our sensuality. We find ourselves becoming more confident in the way we speak, walk and interact with others. It’s no wonder that so many professional actors, performers and public speakers have taken up dance to improve their skills and confidence!

4. Break the monotony of our day-to-day life

We all look for an outlet to add colour and fun to our lives. When we dance we become absorbed with the music, become focussed on our steps so much so that we’re literally forced to forget about everything else and just have fun!

Nothing could be more therapeutic than that 🙂

The benefits of dancing are endless. Those of us who have found dance in our lives know that ‘To live is to dance and to dance is to live’.

Dancing Is Good For Your Heart

Dancing Is Good For Your Heart

Because it keeps you active and helps you forget your worries in life, dancing is the perfect activity for a healthy heart. Whatever style takes your fancy, get those toes tapping and your heart will reap the rewards!

Step away from stress

As you Cha Cha your cares away, you will reduce the tension in your body. Consistently high stress levels have a detrimental impact on your long-term health, not least by putting strain on your heart. It’s important to manage the stress and pressure you feel every day by finding a reliable way to forget all of your worries. Focussing on your footwork means you won’t have time to think of anything else! This simple release can provide a myriad of benefits, as it lowers your blood pressure and significantly decreases your risk of heart disease.

Lose weight

Whether you whirl around the floor in a Waltz or sashay sexily through a Salsa, all that activity will help you lose weight and tone up. Regular exercise is recommended to maintain a healthy heart, and dancing is one of the most fun ways to keep fit. Without excess weight to battle, your heart can do its job much more easily, pumping blood around your system so that you’re always ready to rock’n’roll.

Tone up your ticker

Dancing your way to fitness tones up all your muscles, so you will look great and feel better. Your heart is a muscle too, so putting it through its paces is the perfect training. Obviously the quicker the dance, the more you raise your heart rate. So if you’re looking for a serious cardio workout, try something fast and furious like the Lindy Hop or Viennese Waltz.

Lower your regular heart rate

Regular exercise improves your stamina and the body’s ability to recover, and it has the same effect on your heart. As it gets fitter, your normal heart rate will get lower, reducing your chances of a heart attack. Fast-paced dances will get your heart racing, but you need something you can sustain, so give the Foxtrot a go if you like ballroom or the Merengue if you’re more of a latin lover!

Remember to look after your heart for a happy, healthy life – start dancing today!

Dancing Is Good For Your Soul

Dancing Is Good For Your Heart

Dancing is not only a great workout that tones your whole body, but it gives you an emotional lift too. Whether you prefer the gliding elegance of ballroom or the saucy sashays of latin, our experienced team at Arthur Murray Crows Nest teach a range of styles that boost your mood as well as building your muscles.

Dance your cares away

Whether you’re a dancing novice or a pro, the complete concentration required to co-ordinate your legs, arms, body and head to music means that you simply won’t be able to focus on any other worries. Regular dancing provides a release that helps you abandon day-to-day stresses. Even an hour’s dancing a week will significantly help you to feel relaxed and happy.

Get a natural high

Exercise in any form encourages your body to release endorphins. This chemical functions as a neurotransmitter in your brain, like an analgesic. It reduces the perception of pain and acts as a natural relaxant. And because dancing is also a fun workout, any added laughter during the experience only increases your endorphin release. So effectively, as well as being great exercise, dancing triggers an all-over good vibe, with no medication required.

Express yourself

It’s easy and enjoyable to lose your inhibitions to a musical rhythm in an atmosphere where you feel comfortable. It comes naturally to express yourself through dance as the sound consumes you and your confidence grows. Channelling energy through a beat is a unique way to express yourself with abandonment. Dancing without a care is a liberating experience that brings a sense of freedom that’s good for the soul.

Improve your self-confidence

Just like perfecting any new task at any age, mastering dancing is a great way to boost personal confidence and self-esteem. When first learning, it can seem challenging. At Arthur Murray we know from years of experience that students at every level advance steadily in technique – and in personal confidence – from week to week. Before long, that collection of steps you were co-ordinating becomes a seamless dance routine.

Join a new social scene

Dancing is all about having fun and social contact. There is immediate common ground at a dance class that breaks the ice. It’s the ideal way to meet people who are enjoying a similar activity. We not only teach the technical moves, but also how to read a partner’s body language as you adapt to each new pairing. The teamwork required during weekly dance classes also enhances your everyday life and social skills, helping to ease any previous stresses about having a night out.

The dance of love

Physical contact with another person during dancing brings an immense sense of well-being and increases your inner peace. When you feel a real connection with a dance partner, you might even find it leads to romance. After all, how many relationships start with the question, ‘Would you like to dance?’.

Dancing Is Good For Your Social Life

Dancing Is Good For Your Heart

We all know the health benefits of dancing, but alongside the fitness aspect lies an equally valuable improvement to your social life!

Find new friends… fast!

Most dance classes don’t require you to bring a partner; instead you’re paired with someone and then systematically moved around, so by the end of the evening you will have met everyone at least once.

When you attend a dance class, you’ll be with other people at the same level as you – whether that’s beginner, intermediate or advanced – so you don’t need to worry about embarrassing yourself. More importantly, you’re all there for the same reason, so you already share a common interest. A dance class or club gives you a reason to talk to people in a structured social setting, offering you the perfect ice breaker, ‘do you want to dance?’.

Up close & personal

Dancing breaks down personal physical barriers as well as conversational ones, and you’ll soon find yourself toe-to-toe with someone before you have a chance to think about being self-conscious. Some dances are closer in hold than others, but you need to connect with your partner no matter the style of dance.

Dressing up

Dancing isn’t just about the physical connection with others, it’s the chance for self-expression. Make the most of your new-found passion. Allow your dancing interest to infiltrate your style of clothing, both on and off the dance floor, as well as your choice of music and love of language or culture.

Grow with confidence

Your social skills will grow in line with your dancing feet – the more confident you feel about your performance, the easier and more comfortable you’ll be mixing with people – friends and strangers alike. Become an assertive and confident dancer and watch the rest of your personality follow.

Social fitness

Dancing is an excellent way to get fit, and there’s no better way to stay healthy than through the social dance setting. Not only will you tone your muscles, lose weight and improve cardio stamina, but you’ll increase cognitive acuity and reduce stress. With all these physical benefits you’ll inevitably feel all-round improvements within yourself.

Natural high

Physical activity elevates mood levels by releasing endorphins into our bodies. Exercise, and dancing in particular, gives you a euphoric feeling which has been coined as a ‘natural high’ for the buzz achieved by cardio workouts. This sense of well-being and elation helps you mix with your fellow clubbers, without any need for other stimulants.

The ubiquitous hobby

Wherever you go, you can usually find an opportunity to dance or talk about your hobby. Wedding receptions and other major social events will have a dance floor crying out to be used! Pubs or clubs at home or on holiday will have music to get you moving and any concert or gig will have your toes tapping.

Get out there and let dancing give new meaning to your social life!