Basic moves in Viennese Waltz are natural (clockwise) and reverse (counterclockwise) turns, with change steps (a three-count connecting figure) in between. As my ballroom dance teacher has been breaking these down for me to practice, I’ve been reflecting once again on how dance mirrors life.
With my family life, I view getting married and having children as natural turns. Those life transitions followed expectations, and might have appeared to flow as easily as a standard Waltz, despite their challenges. On the other hand–estrangements, chronic illness, divorce, and empty nest transition were change steps and reverse turns that threw me off balance and made me stumble and falter.
In my education, graduating from elementary to middle to high school to college to grad school were natural turns. My hard work propelled me through the grades, as dedicated practice makes the Foxtrot look deceptively effortless when dancers float around the ballroom. School vacations and breaks were change steps, necessary to take a few breaths before pivoting to the next sequence of moves.
My intense scientific career also flowed easily for me with extremely hard work, akin to a fast Viennese Waltz (typically danced at a tempo of 180 beats per minute). Promotions and awards were natural turns, and temporary position details (lateral assignments) were change steps. A dramatic reverse turn was unexpected early retirement, when the federal workforce was downsized in 2025. That sent me reeling, until I regained balance in my new phase of life focused on creative endeavors.
Turns in both dance and life can be exhilarating, challenging, and rewarding. Even though reverse turns may feel unnatural, resisting them can be detrimental — and they are an important part of the dance, in the ballroom and in life!
Which change steps and turns have made the most impact in your life?
Leave a Reply