A Dancer’s Quarantine Reading List
Life is so busy, I for one usually fall asleep half a page into a book, no matter how good it is. But now that we are forced to slow down and spend a little more time indoors, it is the perfect time to catch up on some good books. So without further ado, here is your quarantine reading list!
Kudos go out to Christina Campbell and her blog Dancing with the Campbells for some of these suggestions and also to Chris Lynam at the Arthur Murray Live Blog. Definitely worth having a read of their articles, lots of great dance advice there!
For Technique…
What you see is NOT what you do: A Simple Formula for Ballroom Dancing by Nick & Lena Kosovich
This is a gem of a book! Nick and Lena have over 40 professional titles in American Smooth and Ballroom so it’s fair to say they know their stuff. What I adore about this book is the clarity with which they break down movement. In my dancing, using their formula for breath helped me enormously and that’s just the tip of the iceberg for this great read.
For History…
Ballroom, Boogie, Shimmy Sham, Shake: A Social and Popular Dance Reader by Julie Malnig
The history of social dance is fascinating. When you dive into the cultural influences and the periods of history that people have danced through, you realise just how interwoven with dance we really are. This collection of essays are like taking a step back in time to dance halls and ballrooms of times gone by.
The Wicked Waltz and Other Scandalous Dances: Outrage at Couple Dancing in the 19th and Early 20th Centuries
This one goes a little further back to times when Waltz was considered a corrupting influence of society. Even moving forward, you see so many dance crazes through history have been on the forefront of pushing societal norms forward, toward more freedom and connection between people. There’s no doubt dancers are a rambunctious bunch.
For Nutrition…
Diet for Dancers: A Complete Guide to Nutrition and Weight Control by Robin D. Chmelar & Sally S. Fitt
Our sport is unique and it is so refreshing to look at diet and nutrition from the perspective of someone who knows exactly what our bodies need to do. This is a straight-forward, no nonsense kind of book with clear breakdowns of what to eat and how to eat it. Big take-aways for me is knowing the quality of the calories that you eat so that you get no energy burn out.
For Mindset…
Switch by Dan Heath & Chip Heath
This may not be a dance book but so much of dancing is a mental process. In dance, we are faced with challenges in focus, self-confidence and change. In this book, they discuss the difference between our emotional brain ("The Elephant"), and our rational brain ("The Rider") - and the tools necessary to motivate and guide us beyond challenges.
For the Coffee Table…
Ballroom Dance and Glamour by Jonathan S. Marion
This is a gorgeous book that you may find in your local dance studio. With beautiful photos and showcasing some of the most admired dancers, this book is a window into the global phenomenon of competitive dance. It will keep your eyes twinkling at the glamour and give you some great costume ideas too!
Hopefully this list, will keep your reading quota filled and your dance spirits high over the coming weeks!