Medical Marvels
Marina and Vasiliy have countless stories that speak to the transformative power of dance, but, they say, some stand out. Anna had been taking lessons with Marina and Vasiliy at their ballroom dance academy in Russia for quite some time when, at just 12 years-old, she suffered a broken spine in an accident and was restricted by her doctors from all physical activity. Against doctor’s orders, she returned to the studio with her mother and asked to continue taking lessons. She began slowly, spending her early lessons swaying in place or moving inches at a time. She retuned for lesson after lesson, dancing each time within the limits she felt her body could go. Her range of motion improved promisingly at first, and then dramatically as she continued dancing. Within two years of her accident, a spinal X-ray at her annual follow-up stunned her doctor. Spinal injuries typically result in permanent visible scarring to the bone and surrounding tissue, yet Anna’s X-ray not only showed improvement to the injured area, it revealed no evidence whatsoever of there ever having been a break.
Learn More About Marina & Vasiliy Vlasova and Arthur Murray Dance Studio
It’s Never Too Late
Dorothy first came to Allan’s studio at the age of 71, a few years after her husband’s passing. She confessed that her lifelong dream was to become a Rockette. Now at 85, she has become a regular, not only at Dance Alday, but on the competition circuit, teaming up with Allan himself to compete in ProAm events all over the world. She has won numerous awards and scholarships, and has been awarded Top Student at many competitions, including The Dancer’s Cup circuit. Dorothy’s health continues to be in top form, and her children can’t say enough about what dancing has done for her. Competing with Allan has taken her to places she never thought she’d go, from Paris and London to Brazil and Argentina, and through out the United States and Canada. “Now,” she says, “I’m living my dream.”
Can’t Keep a Good Woman Down
When one of John’s students suffered a stroke, her doctors assumed she would be wheelchair-bound for the rest of her life. But having danced with John for years, the 62-year-old turned to Ballroom to rehabilitate herself. Thanks to her dance lessons, she was able to reverse many of the stroke’s effects and prevent it from doing permanent damage to her quality of life. Her doctors were amazed, but for John, it came as no surprise. Having seen what she was made of on the dance floor and understanding the restorative power of dance, he knew exactly what this feisty, resilient lady was capable of achieving.
Learn More About John Glessner and Avondale Dance Directions
Dancing For Your Life
Brent continues to find great inspiration in dancing, particularly in his students. He says three couples in just the past five years have met at his studio and married. One woman lost 75 pounds in one year by taking his classes two to three times a week, which in turn motivated her to take better care of herself in general. And one of his students was a severely injured military soldier who at one time was thought to be brain dead. After doctors detected slight movements, she was kept alive and slowly regained cognition and physical abilities. Her doctor prescribed daily ballroom lessons to work on agility, and within six months she was able to do a waltz. It’s no wonder Brent believes dancing isn’t just a sport or an exercise – it’s life.