Ballroom to Bedroom

Dancing With the Stars has brought a tremendous amount of attention to the art of social dance. It shows a glamorous, graceful and intimate exchange between a man and woman. But ballroom dancing is definitely not just for the stars, and it can be a great way to create a new intimacy in your relationship.

“In social dancing, men and women communicate through physical rather than verbal cues,” explains, Kim Delli Santi, Director of the APJCC Dance Academy in Los Gatos. “It can be a very intimate experience for a couple.”

While today’s women are strong and independent, in ballroom each sex has their own specific role. “The man is the leader, explains Delli Santi. “He is the frame and she is the picture. It’s his job to nurture her and show her at her best. Women tend to have a difficult time with their role -- giving up their control and following willingly. I often make women close their eyes when they dance to help them be more dependent. And when they finally do, they feel cared for, beautiful and sexy.”

Taking weekly ballroom dance classes is a great way to bring an hour of romance and teamwork into your relationship. By working together and becoming successful, couples strengthen their partnership and enjoy the fruits of their labor. “A man who can dance is always admired,” Delli Santi says “and couples enjoy the attention they get at social events when they hit the dance floor and can really perform.”

But the intimacy of dancing can also be brought home into the bedroom. “Lighting some candles, opening a bottle of your favorite wine and putting on some romantic music can make your practice sessions an event in itself,” Delli Santi recommends. “Even if you can’t execute perfect steps, it’s the relationship that’s important.”

Looking for some romantic dance tunes? DelliSanti suggests this play list for your intimate evening:

Feeling Good - Michael Buble - Foxtrot
I Finally Found Someone - Barbara Streisand & Bryan Adams- Nightclub two-step
Bleeding Love - Ross Copperman - West coast swing/rhumba
If I were a Painting - Gregory Clinton- waltz
Where Would You Be - Martina McBride - Nightclub two-step
Lost - Faith Hill- Nightclub two-step
Weekend in New England - Barry Manilow – Waltz
Unchained Melody - Nightclub two-step
Tango from Scent of a Woman – Tango
When You Say You Love Me - Josh Groban - Nightclub two-step

Interested in Ballroom Dance Classes? Check out http://sites.google.com/site/apjccdanceacademy/home for more information or
email Kim at kdsanti@gmail.com

7 Ways to Bring Home the Magic and Intensify the Intimacy

If you are ready for some activities that can enhance your mood and increase intimacy you don’t necessarily need to drop a fortune on lingerie or pay a lot for an expensive meal. Here are 7 ideas to bring out the romantic in both of you. Try one each day or use them for a weekly date night.

1. Surprise your partner by bringing home one of their favorite edible delights. A dessert from a favorite restaurant, some decadent gelato, or even a favorite snack or fruit is romantic when shared by candlelight.

2. In the age of texts and email, an old-fashioned card or love letter delivered via snail mail gets a lot of attention and can be saved wrapped in a satin ribbon (try doing that with a romantic text!) For a little more fun you can print out sexy love coupons and send them in the mail to work. www.romancestuck.com

3. Have an indoor picnic and play your partner’s favorite board game. A fire, a bottle of your favorite wine, soft music and a few candles will create a cozy and intimate evening.

4. Romance during the day always makes for a better evening! Check the newspaper for local wine walks and festivals to create a special day of togetherness!

5. Plan an intimate lunch date and then call your partner afterward to tell them how much fun you had.

6. Romance isn’t just for weekends! Plan a half-day off work and then escape to Santa Cruz, San Francisco or Half Moon Bay to take in the sights before enjoying a delicious meal and a romantic walk around town.

7. Go to bed early but stay up late talking like a young dating couple. If work, family and life in general dominate your chats get some interesting conversations starters at http://www.futurescopes.com/romantic-ideas/536/40-fun-questions-ask-your-partner