Three Things Dance Taught Me: Lynn Panting
photo credit: Ritche Perez
"Three Things Dance Taught Me," is a blog series dedicated to exploring the profound impact of dance. In this series, we'll hear from a diverse range of voices, each sharing three invaluable lessons they've learned through their dance journey.
Dance has the power to shape and transform us in unexpected ways. Its influence extends far beyond the studio and stage, touching every aspect of our lives, no matter our career path.
Three Things Dance Taught Me: Lynn Panting
Lynn Panting, BA, MA, MPhil, is the Artistic Director and Founder of Lynn Panting Dance, a space dedicated to fostering confidence, creativity, and self-expression in dancers of all ages. With twenty years of professional experience, Lynn is a dynamic force in the local dance community, bringing her passion for movement to roles as an actor, dancer, choreographer, director, intimacy director, and producer. She is known for her commitment to making dance accessible and inclusive, believing that students do their best work when they feel comfortable and most like themselves. Beyond the studio, she serves as the Artistic Director of Untellable Movement Theatre and as Chair of the Arts Advisory Committee, while also working with Business & Arts NL.
Christmas 1988, tutu and tiara gifted by Pauline Emery
I’m so excited to share the incredible lessons dance has taught me. I have narrowed it down to three, but there is no end to what dance has taught me.
As a choreographer, performer, advocate, and teacher, my journey through dance has been transformative. Here are three profound things dance has taught me:
1. How to Take Up Space
One of the most empowering lessons dance has taught me is how to take up space. Growing up, I felt the pressure to be small- physically or otherwise. Dance, however, demands the opposite. It calls on us to expand, to reach, to occupy space boldly and unapologetically.
When I'm on stage or in a studio, I feel an incredible sense of freedom. Through movement, I express myself fully.
This physical act of taking up space translates into my everyday life. I stand taller, speak louder, and advocate for myself and others with confidence. Dance has shown me that my presence matters and that I deserve to claim my space in this world.
Rites, Ora Ensemble, 2013
2. How to Connect with My Feelings
Dance is untellable. It’s a language that transcends words, allowing us to express and connect with our deepest feelings. Through dance, I've learned to explore and understand my emotions more profoundly.
Whether it’s the joy of a celebratory performance or the sorrow of a piece that delves into heartache, dance has been a conduit for my emotional expression. It has taught me to be vulnerable, to let my guard down, and to embrace the full spectrum of my feelings. This connection with my emotions not only enhances my performances but also enriches my personal life. I've become more attuned to my feelings, more empathetic towards others, and more open to the world around me.
Jacob's Ladder, LPD for Festival of New Dance, 2017
3. Dance is Magic
There’s something inherently magical about dance. It’s an art form that transcends time, culture, and language, bringing people together in a shared experience of movement and expression. Dance creates a unique kind of magic that words alone cannot capture.
In every performance, rehearsal, and spontaneous dance moment, I’ve witnessed the transformative power of dance. It can uplift spirits, tell compelling stories, and foster connections between people.
The magic of dance lies in its ability to make the invisible visible, to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. It's in those fleeting moments when the music, the movement, and the emotions converge into something truly transcendent.