With all of the snow, we had to cancel class this week. I know it has only been a week, but it seems like EONS since we have danced together. Perhaps it was just me, but being “snowed-in” became “not-so-fun-anymore” half-way through day two. To add insult to injury, my sweetie and I were separated due to a business trip so we were not “snowed-in” at all! Plus, today was/is Valentine’s Day…and I am alone.
Without a simple little Snow Dance Challenge that made me laugh until I cried, I might would have cringed as I watched everyone’s posted pictures of their Valentine’s gifts.
Instead of cringing, I had a song of praise in my heart! God has surrounded me with some awesome people…who love to Dance. Annnd, if you didn’t know……..Dancing makes it all better.
One of our “divas” challenged some of us on Facebook to dance one of our class routines in the snow since we couldn’t have class. She and her daughter posted their video early yesterday morning and that started a firestorm of “Snow Dance Videos“.
Several ladies from our class posted videos and then ladies and GENTS from other classes and cities began to post. With each crazy dance video, God reminded me how much HE loves us. What a blessing to be ABLE to go outside and dance around like crazy people and then POST videos that confirm our craziness on the world-wide-web!
If you are one of those “non-dancers” who just don’t believe that hopping, salsa-ing, shaking, doing a jazz square, or simply doing the bird dance will make you happy, I challenge you to read up on the Cebu Detention and Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines. Once infamous for its gang violence, the prison is now famous for its dancing prisoners. Dancing is MANDITORY for Cebu prisoners. If prisoners refuse to dance, they lose privileges!
The prisoners’ hard work has spawned one of the unlikeliest hits on the Internet — a reworking of Michael Jackson’s 1980s smash hit video “Thriller.” Filmed by the prison boss, Brian Garcia, the video has drawn more than 56 million hits on YouTube. But more than just internet fame, Garcia says there has not been a violent incident in nearly a year and a half. “They are just not hostile anymore,” he says.
The dancers are a mix of accused murderers, rapists and drug dealers. They are led by a choreographer who is accused of mass murder. Authorities at the prison say that dance gives the prisoners a renewed sense of worth and confidence, helps them learn to work together, allows them to exercise and increases their self-esteem.
A movie will soon hit theaters called “Dance of the Steel Bars”. “Dance of the Steel Bars” is a story of corruption and redemption featuring the real life stories of the CEBU prisoners.
Through a silly little “Snow Dance Challenge” we danced together virtually and felt so good we couldn’t help but smile and perhaps we too became a little less violent:)
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy…… Psalm 30:11
Dancing makes it all better.
If you STILL don’t believe it… watch my Snow Dance Video: (Click HERE if you cannot see the video in the post.)
Ohhh I love this! I remember seeing the video of the prisoners but had no idea about the following thanks for sharing!
I know right? What a following for such an unlikely group! I love it! So glad we met through dance!!!
Wow I have never heard this story. So amazing and uplifting. Thank you for letting me be a part of such snow fun. It brightened my day and made my kids laugh. Much love to you.
Thank YOU Tanya for playing along! It was great fun! Crazy that such a silly thing like going outside and dancing in the snow could make so many people smile! Dance is powerful! Don’t stop dancing…you are changing lives even when you don’t realize it! Wish you the best!
Heya are using WordPress for your blog platform? I’m new to
the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create
my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog?
Any help would be really appreciated!
Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this website on a regular basis, this web page is really
good and the people are really sharing good thoughts.