Ballroom Dancing: Transforming my Mondays into Fun Days

What started as simple prep for our son’s wedding has become one of the greatest gifts in my life: ballroom dancing. It began as a way to learn a few steps for a special day but has transformed into a Monday ritual of joy, movement, and connection. And as I’ve discovered, it’s so much more than a hobby—it’s a practice that nurtures every part of me.

Ballroom dancing touches each pillar of She. Fully Alive in ways I never expected.

Physical Health: Energy, Strength, and Vitality

Dancing for even 30 minutes is a true workout—burning calories, strengthening the heart, and improving balance. Research shows ballroom programs can lower blood pressure, improve cholesterol, and reduce fall risk in older adults. My Mondays have become “fun days,” but also “fit days,” leaving me energized and stronger for the week ahead.

Mental Health: Focus and Joy in Motion

Learning steps and staying in rhythm sharpen memory and attention. The music lifts my mood, while the movement quiets my mind. Studies confirm what I feel each week: dance is both a natural antidepressant and a brain booster, protecting cognition as we age. I walk away from class not just lighter on my feet, but lighter in spirit.

Social Health: Connection in Every Step

Ballroom is about partnership—moving in sync, trusting one another, and sharing the floor with others. For me, it has strengthened relationships and created new friendships. Research shows that dance reduces loneliness and fosters belonging. I love the energy and passion the instructors embody in their commitment to dance. On Mondays, I don’t just exercise; I connect, laugh, and share life with a community.

Spiritual Health: Presence and Flow

There is something sacred about moving to music, fully present in body and spirit. In those moments, I experience flow—the sense of being carried by rhythm and connection. It reminds me that life is not only about productivity but also about joy, gratitude, and presence. Ballroom has become prayer in motion, a weekly practice of embodying freedom and delight.

A Whole-Person Practice

What started as wedding prep has transformed into a rhythm of renewal. Ballroom dancing strengthens my body, clears my mind, deepens my connections, and lifts my spirit. For me, Mondays are no longer just another day—they are fun days, fully alive.