As a Catholic, Are Ballroom Dancing Partners Sometimes Too Close for Good Morals?
July 25, 2010 by Ballroom Dance Lover
Filed under Learning Ballroom Dance
As a Catholic, are ballroom dancing partners sometimes too close for good morals?
I am the lady, sometimes, I do not know who will dance too close until it happens, and I do not want to be a source of temptation to others. Before I dance with a lot of people when I go ballroom dancing and that is the tradition that they change partners every dance. In that way I learn and practice different styles.
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No. Temptation is the person’s fault, not the dancing.
If you dont like to be tempted, stay away on that or you can select which partner you like. You have the freedom of.
Listen when you signed up for ballroom then you knew that it you where going to be dancing with a guy. There are going to be times when you are going to have to be close to the them only because it’s the dance! Now you probabley dance with some good guys that only like the dancing, they didn’t just sighn up to feel you up. So just ignore all that and focus on the dance, if you keep worrying about being to close then your dancing will suffer. And I know how you feel, because when I first started partnering in my ballet class I was really worried cause the guy had his hands all over me. But after a while I just got used to and now my partnering is great. Because I trust my partner not to take advantage of the situation.
no, dancing is something that is encouraged by god, he mentions it A LOT in the bible. you should really try out some type of cottillion, i go to one ata church i live near, and , we don’t have to wear , gloves or anything, and when you dance with somebody, it’s really relaxing to know that they aren’t going to suudeenly devoe;lop a huge crush on you or anything, go onto youtube and search “peoplle dancing the swing, its my favorite type of dance! LOL!
Many teachers begin lessons without body contact, but as you advance, you’ll find that the contact is needed for proper communication in the standard dances. Since you are wearing clothes (I hope!), the contact is certainly functional, and any discomfort you have is only an implication, not innate in the contact itself.You’re certainly welcome to show your level of discomfort, and a good leader will respect that, but any impropriety is in the mind, not the body.
In dancing tango, the closest of the dances, I assure you I use a closer hold based on the level of expertise and comfort level of the lady I’m dancing with, not how attractive she is! Its moral implication is about the same as using a proper tango walk with advanced dancers vs. the straight-line step of foxtrot and waltz which beginners also use in tango.
Maintain proper frame and posture and you’ll be able to keep the leads at a proper distance. If they try to get more familiar you are within your rights to say, I’m not comfortable dancing that closely and then reestablish the distance you want.
If dancing of any form causes you to lust after your partner (or makes you feel uncomfortable) it’s wise to abstain from it.
That said, in ballroom dancing,while a woman is supposed to follow a man’s lead, she has sufficient freedom of movement to either remain a respectful distance, or to kick a disrespectful dance partner in the calf to give him a charlie horse and teach him a lesson.
You are correct that in ballroom dancing there is a standard of being social and switching partners. By the same token, no lady is obligated to finish a dance with a cad. Please don’t let any need for propriety keep you on the floor with someone who makes you uncomfortable.
Otherwise, Catholicism is mute on dancing – it’s something to be enjoyed but not to become excessive or imprudent.
Just pray to God, he will help you with temptation. And he will tell you the right decision. =]
I believe ballroom dancing TEACHES good morals! Where else will a young man learn to treat a young lady with respect? Where else will a young lady learn to trust her partner knowing there is no threat to her dignity? Morals are in your heart and in your mind. Check out the movie “Take the Lead”. It has a lot to say on this very subject and is a fantastic mivie to boot. And hey, do you know why baptists don’t make love standing up? It’s too much like dancing!