Seven couples from the church and community have joined together for a six-week ballroom dancing class and relationship building seminar in January, which will continue through mid-February. Most are married and some are engaged to be married.
The evening begins with an hour-long ballroom dance class led by Ann Rita Smith of Maine Ballroom Dancing. For the first four weeks we have learned the Foxtrot, and now have begun to learn the Waltz. Ann has been a fabulous teacher for all levels.
The dance class is followed by an hour long relationship building class led by Steve and Kathy Beirne. We have been using the workbook from "Mastering the Mysteries of Love" covering communication principles such as showing understanding, expressing ourselves to maximize listening, how to discuss an issue, and how to coach one another so as not to fall into bad habits typical of couples when they have a disagreement.
During the third class we were given a "talking stick" to practice the concept of bringing up an issue we need to discuss, starting with something good, and then expressing the issue with the skills we have been learning so as to best facilitate the other listening and receiving the communication positively. We don't pass the talking stick to the other person until what we've said has been properly reflected!
All of the couples seem to be having a great date time and deepening their relationship at the same time. We plan to run another class next year as this one has been so successful.
All you dancers out there, please be sure to join us for our Valentine's Dance on Friday February 12 at 7pm. We plan to play some good Foxtrot and Waltz music to practice what we've learned!
You may view more photos on the Dancing Photo Album.
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