I recently watched Monty Python’s Spamalot at the theatre.  I’m sorry to say that I hadn’t seen before.  I say I’m sorry because, having now seen it, I realise that it was a crucial detail missing from my life.  It was so delightfully silly and funny.  The actors were charismatic, the choreography was supreme and the Monty Python jokes at their finest.  I giggled my way through it and immediately wanted to tell people how brilliant it was and encourage them to book tickets without delay.  So much so that I had an overwhelming urge to write about it in this very blog, although I was struggling to think how it related to wedding dancing.  Until…the entirely brilliant ‘Always look on the bright side of life’ was sung and these words popped out:

“If life seems jolly rotten
There’s something you’ve forgotten
And that’s to laugh and smile and dance and sing.”

Bingo! Perfect lyrics, and a brilliant motto for life really.  So this weeks blog is inspired by laughter.

                                                (Photo courtesy Babb Photo)

Therefore, I shall continue with my favourite joke:

What do you call a fly with no wings?
…
A walk!

Ta-da!  What do you think?  Comedy genius?

Don’t worry though, if you come to me for a dance lesson, I won’t tell you silly (although definitely funny) jokes.  But what I will do is try to create a sense of fun and laughter within the lessons, because I think laughing is so important.  And I’ll tell you for why with this short and succinct list:

  Laughter triggers the release of endorphins.
  It decreases stress hormones and blood pressure.
  It boosts your immune system.
  Having a good old giggle gets those tummy muscles working, so you can have a workout as well as a jolly good time.
  A study by the John Hopkins University Medical School has shown that laughter can increase memory and mental performance, therefore helping you to remember those all-important dance steps.
  Last, but certainly not least, during a dance lesson it makes you feel so much more relaxed (I hope.)

To see a couple laughing and having fun whilst they learn their routine and share this time together is a lovely thing.

And no matter how nervous the couple may feel before doing their first dance, I am yet to watch a couple do their wedding dancing without seeing them laugh and smile together during those precious three minutes of dancing.

Therefore, I encourage you to come and have a giggle whilst learning your first dance!

And on that note, I shall finish with my second favourite joke:

What’s red and invisible?
…
No Tomatoes!

Ha! Get it?!

Thanks for reading, Victoria x

P.S. If you do feel that you’d like a more scientific viewpoint, this might help: