Editing All That Jazz 12-10-18 (section)

== What Dance Has Done for Me ==
As I had a meeting with our amazing editor-in-chief here at the Navigator, I was given the really good idea to write about what dance has done for me and my life.


I wanted to really push myself for this article. I wanted to ask myself what dance has actually done for my life. I didn't just want an easy answer like "I can dance and move freely," "I can let go," or "it made me more flexible." I wanted to dig deep and find what dance has truly done for me and my life. 


The first year that I started dance I didn't really have anything that I was passionate about. I used to do gymnastics, and I did it for around five years. As I did it, I didn't really get into it. I really just found it a competition to win medals and trophies. I had no idea that there could be something that I could be so passionate about. When I went to my first class, I was so nervous. Me and my family had just gotten back from the US, and I hadn't done a sport for a super long time. I was really nervous that I was going to be bad at it or that I wouldn't know what to do. As soon as I started to dance, however, I felt so joyful. I had no idea that a sport could feel that way.


Dance has not only given me a sport that I love, but also a way to get through some really hard times. I won't bore you with my stories, but it has definitely helped me during difficulties. I have always used it as a way to just let go of all the stress that life throws at me. It allows me to feel as if I'm free from this world. I know that sounds cheesy and maybe a little movie-like, but it really does feel like that. 


As dance has done many good things for my life, it has also taken so much. For these past two years now I have had a knee injury and I actually have had to quit dance for awhile. I had no idea how getting one small injury could change my life. I never even knew I hurt myself in dance. I just woke up one day and it was in pain. As it has taken my ability to dance for a while, I don't know when I will be able to get back to it. God has always had a plan for me and He will let me back or not. I just need to trust in Him. I like to think of this time without dance as a way for me to really appreciate it even more. Even though it has been hard, I have rather enjoyed being able to look back at what it has done for me. 


I never would've imagined what dance could have done for my life. When I first started it, I just thought of it as another sport, but soon afterwards I saw it as an art. It is a way to express your emotions when you feel you can no longer express them, a way to forget the world, a way to let go. I know I said I wasn't going to say that it is a way to just let go, but that's what it is for me. I can let go of everything: stress, worries, pain, and so many other things. That is how dance has changed my life. I could never ask for a better sport.    

=== Exercises ===
One should always stretch before beginning an exercise. To begin the exercise one should lie down on the floor. Then do the plank. The plank is basically lying down on one's stomach with one's elbows down and on the floor. The toes should be the only part on the foot touching the floor.  One should lift he or she's stomach and make sure the buttocks is not in the air. For this exercise it will be the same as plane but harder. To start off, one should do everything the same, except the stomach should be on the floor. Then lift the stomach up. This is basically like plank except there is more movement. When one goes up, hold it for about 10 seconds then go down for 5 seconds. Do the steps about 20 times. If one feels they can do more, do it up to 40 times.  

To begin the exercise, stand up. One should have their feet parallel and about 2 1/2 inches apart. Now one should bend one knee and straighten the other knee. The knee should be bent about 3-5 inches. (See the picture below for better understanding.) Do this about 20-30 times. One should do it only as many times their body can do it.




I hope you enjoyed this month's article! Please email me with any suggestions or themes. I love to hear anything from you. I would also like to ask you to please email me or instant message me if you would like me to interview you. As you noticed, the article this month was about how dance changed my life. I am going to try to do an article about how dance has changed other people's life about every two months. If you would like for me to write about you please email me!

=== Christmas joke of the month: ===
Knock Knock Who's there Snow Snow who? Snow use- I've forgotten my name


=== Citations: ===
“How To Do A Side Lunge.” Get Healthy U | Chris Freytag, 0AD, [https://gethealthyu.com/exercise/side-lunge/ gethealthyu.com/exercise/side-lunge/].

“Work Your Abs in Just 15 Minutes.” Real Simple, 0AD, [https://realsimpleworkouts.com/health/fitness-exercise//stronger-abs-in-fifteen-minutes www.realsimpleworkouts.com/health/fitness-exercise//stronger-abs-in-fifteen-minutes].

“45 Amusing Christmas Jokes - Funny Jokes to Make You Merry!” Funny Puns, 0AD, [https://pun.me/pages/christmas-jokes.php pun.me/pages/christmas-jokes.php].

“So Beautiful- I Want to Perfect This! | DANZA in 2018 | Pinterest | Dance, Ballet and Dance Photography.” Pinterest, Pinterest, 7 Nov. 2018, [https://www.pinterest.com/pin/295337688051057003/ www.pinterest.com/pin/295337688051057003/].
[[Category:Navigator Articles]]
[[Category:Nav 18-19]]