Caity Healy | Lifestyle Editor
Dancing can be a valuable tool in several ways: it provides an exceptional form of fitness, an escape from stress and, in many cases, fun. And, for some, participation in this type of physical activity is more than just exercise – it becomes a passion. For sophomore education major Kaiana Bradley, this remains true.
While it’s something of great importance to her now,when she first began, this wasn’t quite true.
“I started dancing in the second grade because my mom knew one of the ladies who had a dance studio in town and just signed me up,” said Bradley. “At the time, I just loved getting to wear a leotard, and eventually I learned to love dance itself, too.”
Over the past 12 years, her love for dance has continuously progressed — as did her reason for practicing her passion.
“When I dance, all of my problems fade away. Any outside stressors just disappear and the movement takes its place. It is really freeing,” Bradley explained.
While her passion for dance is immense, so is the time it takes. With countless rehearsals, recitals and pieces she’s taken the hours to learn, dance is truly a time-consuming practice that for some, could be too much. Despite this, Bradley is able to maintain a regular academic and social life.
“I guess all of the rehearsals I had growing up taught me to get my homework done when I was available to do that … in high school, I had evening rehearsals and I was so used to coming home from school and continuing to do schoolwork, that I kept that practice going as I started college,” Bradley stated.
Not allowing dance to make an impact on her school life took years of practice and an understanding of how to fit everything into her schedule. And while some may assume it would negatively impact her social life, Bradley explains that it did the opposite.
“It provides an excellent social support,” Bradley said. “I have met some of the most amazing people in dance rehearsals.”
For students at Western interested in dance, Bradley urges that you simply go for it.
“(Interested students) should sign up for a beginning level dance course for the next term. I would highly recommend using a dance class to fulfill one of their arts LACCs,” Bradley mentioned. “The faculty are incredibly talented and all around amazing people who would love to bring new dancers into the department.”
Dancing has taught Bradley many lessons. Whether it be about life, school, herself or anything in between, it’s affected who she is as a person.
“Dance has grown me into a more independent, confident individual than I would have been without it,” Bradley stated. “And becoming a coachable person is something that will help me later on in life.”
Contact the author at chealy16@mail.wou.edu
Photo by: Paul F. Davis
