IF I’M A B**** IN THE MORNING, I COME HERE, I DANCE, AND ALL OF THAT ENERGY IS RELEASED.
Sometimes you just need that one thing to help you snap out of whatever mood you’re in.
It’s not your fault- maybe your mind is clouded by that three-page grocery list you haven’t touched since Tuesday, or that PTA bake sale you accidentally agreed to run, OR (my personal fav), the morning coffee that just made its way on your new blouse?
Bad days happen! But who says they’re here to stay?
Our Dance With Me Glen Head student, Barbara Paskoff, sure found a way to kiss them buh-bye.
WATCH BARBARA’S WHOLE STORY BELOW, AND READ ON…
WHEN I LEAVE THE STUDIO IT’S A WHOLE DIFFERENT DAY.
She stumbled into her solution at a visit to her nutritionist’s trophy-adorned office. Curiosity prevailed so Barbara had to ask, “What’s the deal with the awards?!”. Before she knew it, her nutritionist was off raving about the benefits of dance and urging Barbara to try it for herself. She tried a local dance studio but it just wasn’t doing it for her. So one day she bumped into a friend who also danced, but at a Long Island dance studiocalled Dance With Me! Barbara simply replied, “What’s a Dance With Me?”
Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008, Barbara soon learned that “a Dance With Me” would become her place of escape. A place to to get out of her head.
WHEN I DANCE, I DON’T FEEL 71.
Dance quickly touched all parts of Barbara’s life. As a 71 year old, it was the personal hobby she needed to keep her mind, body, and soul active. As a breast cancer patient, it was the mental distance she wanted from her emotions and fears.
When Barbara walks into Dance With Me, she leaves everything at the door and simply focuses on herself for a while. Around the studios we call her Barbie. Here she’s among family, one that’s committed to motivating and supporting her. None of her worries exist during a ballroom dance lesson. All that matters is the connection Barbara makes to her own body, and that she has FUN. After all, if you want to be the best version of you for your loved ones, you need to take care of yourself first.
Dance became a breath of fresh air. It became Barbara’s secret trick to feeling young. And it works! Stepping into the same room as her, you’d never guess her age. (I mean have you seen her…Barbie looks great!)
Dance wasn’t something Barbara was geared to do throughout her life. It was new. It was exactly the challenge she needed.
A MOUNTAIN IS THERE TO CLIMB, NOT TO WALK AROUND.
Dance was Barbara’s mountain and she decided to climb it. Taking on a foreign activity helped Barbara grow. It just goes to show, even at 71, you never stop learning and evolving. Barbara pushed her limits, made herself vulnerable, and as a result expanded her capabilities. The staff at Dance With Me was there every step of the way to provide support and balance, making the once scary idea of dance FUN.
Barbara is the first to say that she’s not exactly a shy person…
But even so, she naturally felt nervous and self-conscious about dancing in front of people. These fears quickly dissolved as ballroom dance paved the way to her confidence and presence. Dance With Me is not a place of judgement or criticism. Its a community of people committed to helping you better yourself. The instructors here enabled Barbara to “dance her way to happy.”
She even overcame her 2 biggest fears! When her dance instructor urged her to compete in Miami, Barbara wasn’t having it. She refused to fly and insisted competing is not what she came here to do.
Cut to a month later: Barbara’s sitting on a plane grinning from ear to ear, feeling like a winner. She kicked her fear of BOTH flying and competing in front of people. And…if I may… she killed it at that competition!
DANCING IS ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING YOU WANT IT TO BE.
The best thing about dance is that it’s different for everyone. Everyone makes their own connections to the music and creates a unique, personal experience.
Dance is what you need it to be. Go at your own pace. That’s what Barbara did at Dance With Me, and in the process she found a safe place to be herself.
What did you think of Barbara’s story? Give us your comments below!
And if you like this blog share it with a friend!
What an inspirational story! I often use Barbara as an example for my patients who are afraid to pursue their passions.
When I had my first cancer I, too, tried dancing via Arthur Murrary. It was something I remembered that gave me great pleasure preteen years. Of course by the time I was a teen there was no more dancing. I didn’t succeed at Arthur Murrary and honestly it just became too expensive. When I had my second cancer in another breast and a totally different type I took up painting and that gave me a wonderful feeling. I still would like to dance but now live in Florida and don’t know of any inexpensive places, so I golf, play bridge, Mah Jong and am in a writer’s group. I think life is about keeping busy and Barabra is a champion of the positive.
I’M QVELLING! I’M CRYING! I’M SMILING! YOUR STORY IS INSPIRATIONAL, BEAUTIFUL, AUTHENTIC. MEET ME ON THE CORNER OF 52ND AND 5TH!!!!! WITH MUCH LOVE, DAVID
This story brought me to tears! So inspiring! Way to go Barbara! You look amazing!
Barbara You are a true inspiration….You are such a radiant woman with so much life inside….:) I love your story
I am one of Barbara’s biggest fans! She is an amazing, talented,straight shooter with an incredible sense of humor, and a refreshing take on life. Her inner light shines very bright, and she has that special something to touch everyone that she meets, with incredible dedication to succeed in everything that she does. She is a beautiful dancer that is a direct reflection on all that she is as a person. You are my inspiration and a true STAR!,and gorgeous to boot!
I have never met Barbara, but I already love her. Her story and continuous journey is so heartwarming; it really touched my soul. It is truly a blessing to be involved in something that makes you feel good to the point you can temporarily forget about your troubles, worries and responsibilities. Love you Dance with Me.
Planning on being there Sat.
Molly
I love this story. I could not agree more that dancing is the elixir of youthful life. No question. I have been dancing all my life. I too am 71 and haven’t stopped moving. I thank God every day for the ability at my age to keep it moving!!! Cha cha cha!!!!!