I’m one of the Brooklyn guys eyeing you from across the room. Thank you for reminding me of our Tito Puente days…I’m 89 and I can still hear his trumpet.
So fun and full of life! Oh I would dance next to you for sure! I tried Jazzercise for a year and it felt fabulous! I’ve always wanted to find a dance class. You have given me motivation again to try something new! Keep dancing!💃🏻
You have such a beautiful way with words, Susie!! As someone who grew up in MN and now living in new york, this gave me a lot of joy to read. Hope you keep dancing!
Oh how I miss ballroom dancing! I'll have to find a place that's doing this wherever I land on the West Coast. I still have my dancing shoes from decades ago....💛
DeLIGHTful! Oh to dance again. Before marriage in '78 we all danced youthfully, even vigorously, certainly joyfully. Independently. Partnered, dance changed from jazzy to cozy, touching, eye contact, smiles in comfortable confidence. Now a widower some 16 years, a public timidity overrides my cool kitchen strutting; Your essay inspires to return to the joy of communal dance.
I love my Zumba classes. Even when I think I’m too tired to go (mid afternoon class after an hour and a half of pickleball in the morning) it wakes me up and energizes me! I look forward to these classes twice a week and wouldn’t miss them. I’ve been doing it for about 20 years and at 78 I’m still looking forward to my next class! 🎶
I loved this—your joy in movement comes through so clearly. I’m 70 and learning Afro Caribbean (Ralph Beaubrun) dance now, and your post reminded me how much memory, freedom, and spirit live in the body. And yes, it’s all in the hips! I never learned how to dance with a partner either. Same reason. Thank you for writing about aging this way. It's beautiful.
Susie….what I meant by “writing about aging this way” is that you did it in a different way. You treated aging incidentals such as lab work, and muscle memory, with just enough humor to lead me, the reader, to something greater….dance. You didn’t apologize for your age. You presented us with the exhilaration that comes with dance. The power it gives women to inhabit their own bodies. No leader, no follower, just you.
We might slow things down initially until we “get it.” But after that—watch out! “It’s not about the steps” anymore, “it’s about the music” right? And yes, "it's all in the hips.”
I’m a memoirist who used to dance for a living. Not for exhilaration. Just survival really. But I get a chance to do that now.
Thanks Susie, for bringing to light something I already knew. At 70, I can learn Afro Caribbean dance, Ralph Beaubrun dance, and do it well. Solo… in my own body. And that’s hot.
Thanks so much for following up. It IS hot! Not apologizing is crucial in all things...certainly with respect to aging. I have a strong sense of the need to look aging in the eye, not turn away, but not despair either. C'est la vie, n'est-ce-pas? I ask myself....what does this time in my life have to offer?
What an inspiring story♥️ I shared the article with my dear friend Jolieth, who is Jamaican. Dancing is in her blood, and she starts the day with a solo dance routine that lasts about an hour. Twice a week, she also takes a Zumba class at one of the local senior centers. She is 79 going on 50😊
I'd love to hear about that solo dance routine. I don't drive and sometimes it's challenging to get to class. As I said, dancing in front of the mirror is an underrated spiritual practice.
I’m a Latin and Swing dancer (AKA as Rhythm). Don’t wear tennies. Get yourself a set of ballroom shoes or have a shoemaker put suede on your tennie soles. A little slipperier but it’s so much easier to dance. Also, take smaller steps; you’re dancing, not walking. This allows you to keep up with the rhythm. 🎶 happy dancing. 💃
This really touched me and my long lost girl
That's exactly what it feels like
I’m one of the Brooklyn guys eyeing you from across the room. Thank you for reminding me of our Tito Puente days…I’m 89 and I can still hear his trumpet.
Life is Love is music😻
Tito remains essential
i absolutely love this article. so witty. as a lady of a certain age, I really relate.
Delighted to provide a chuckle.
So fun and full of life! Oh I would dance next to you for sure! I tried Jazzercise for a year and it felt fabulous! I’ve always wanted to find a dance class. You have given me motivation again to try something new! Keep dancing!💃🏻
Thanks, Laura. I'm convinced we're doing something good for the world.
Yes! Dance on!
You have such a beautiful way with words, Susie!! As someone who grew up in MN and now living in new york, this gave me a lot of joy to read. Hope you keep dancing!
If I can tap the keyboard and make people experience joy in such dark times, I'm one lucky girl. Give my regards to Broadway.
I married my husband because he was such a good dancer. Tells you a lot about a person...
I hope you have both flourished on the danced floor.
Oh how I miss ballroom dancing! I'll have to find a place that's doing this wherever I land on the West Coast. I still have my dancing shoes from decades ago....💛
That terminology is a little intimidating. Never been in a ballroom...but I know it will bring you joy whatever it's called.
I loved this so much that I have signed myself up to a dance class.
Have a great time
This piece makes me happy and I feel all the emotions and sensations you're experiencing. thank you for sharing!
It's wonderful to meet on the dance floor.
DeLIGHTful! Oh to dance again. Before marriage in '78 we all danced youthfully, even vigorously, certainly joyfully. Independently. Partnered, dance changed from jazzy to cozy, touching, eye contact, smiles in comfortable confidence. Now a widower some 16 years, a public timidity overrides my cool kitchen strutting; Your essay inspires to return to the joy of communal dance.
Hervé .....If I have contributed in any way to nudging you out of that timidity, that would be enough. What have you got to lose?
I love my Zumba classes. Even when I think I’m too tired to go (mid afternoon class after an hour and a half of pickleball in the morning) it wakes me up and energizes me! I look forward to these classes twice a week and wouldn’t miss them. I’ve been doing it for about 20 years and at 78 I’m still looking forward to my next class! 🎶
You are an inspiration.
I loved this—your joy in movement comes through so clearly. I’m 70 and learning Afro Caribbean (Ralph Beaubrun) dance now, and your post reminded me how much memory, freedom, and spirit live in the body. And yes, it’s all in the hips! I never learned how to dance with a partner either. Same reason. Thank you for writing about aging this way. It's beautiful.
Melanie....I'd love to hear more about what you mean by "writing about aging this way." Please elaborate if you have a few minutes.
Susie….what I meant by “writing about aging this way” is that you did it in a different way. You treated aging incidentals such as lab work, and muscle memory, with just enough humor to lead me, the reader, to something greater….dance. You didn’t apologize for your age. You presented us with the exhilaration that comes with dance. The power it gives women to inhabit their own bodies. No leader, no follower, just you.
We might slow things down initially until we “get it.” But after that—watch out! “It’s not about the steps” anymore, “it’s about the music” right? And yes, "it's all in the hips.”
I’m a memoirist who used to dance for a living. Not for exhilaration. Just survival really. But I get a chance to do that now.
Thanks Susie, for bringing to light something I already knew. At 70, I can learn Afro Caribbean dance, Ralph Beaubrun dance, and do it well. Solo… in my own body. And that’s hot.
Thanks so much for following up. It IS hot! Not apologizing is crucial in all things...certainly with respect to aging. I have a strong sense of the need to look aging in the eye, not turn away, but not despair either. C'est la vie, n'est-ce-pas? I ask myself....what does this time in my life have to offer?
What an inspiring story♥️ I shared the article with my dear friend Jolieth, who is Jamaican. Dancing is in her blood, and she starts the day with a solo dance routine that lasts about an hour. Twice a week, she also takes a Zumba class at one of the local senior centers. She is 79 going on 50😊
I'd love to hear about that solo dance routine. I don't drive and sometimes it's challenging to get to class. As I said, dancing in front of the mirror is an underrated spiritual practice.
At age 83 I love the happiness and joy your Mamba article gives me!
Such a pleasure to know that my writing has had that impact.
I’m a Latin and Swing dancer (AKA as Rhythm). Don’t wear tennies. Get yourself a set of ballroom shoes or have a shoemaker put suede on your tennie soles. A little slipperier but it’s so much easier to dance. Also, take smaller steps; you’re dancing, not walking. This allows you to keep up with the rhythm. 🎶 happy dancing. 💃
Excellent and much-needed guidance
Can you tell I love to dance? 69 now, been dancing since I was eight. 😊😊😊
Imagine how happy your heart is.
Delightful read!
Many thanks, Maria.