Why Dance Is More Than Dance?
By Rapha Conrad
In all my years in my journey as a professional dancer and choreographer, doing improv or freestyling has been beneficial not just creative-wise, but healing. In 2015, I started a series on Instagram called ##RAmovementFREESTYLE . It was created to show my journey in being confident with my freestyling and a behind the scenes look on how I workshop. Now it has turned in a journal, digging into my perspective either what I was thinking of/expressing through that movement or what others can relate to through my motifs/phrases. The audience have really enjoyed and been inspired by my series, even some creators and artists have shown my videos on their social media (Sleeping At Last, Max Ritcher, James Blake, just to name a few). As time went by and got busier with my career and life, I spent less posting my series (but still dancing). Until things changed in the beginning of 2025.
I was overwhelmed by certain events both physically and emotionally. From the devastating fires in California to unexpected family emergencies, from working on an upcoming project to recovering from an injury, it led me to mental fatigue. Sure, it is okay to take a break from dancing, but I (sadly) developed a bad habit that led me to something tougher than I could imagine.
I developed severe anxiety and depression that affected my physical and mental health. There were times that I couldn’t recognize myself and my behavior was off. Even when I recovered from an injury or had time to take a class or do my #RAmovementFREESTYLE session, I came up with every excuse like "I don't have time for that" or "I will come across selfish" (worrying what others think of me) or "I suck because I haven't danced for a while". I talked with my counselor about this and they said, "Dancing is your joy. Dancing is your healing. Why would you sacrifice something beneficial for you and someone who needs it for something harmful?". My name means healing, and my middle name is joy. When they said that, it was a wakeup call to make dance part of my routine again.
At first, I was afraid to dance in my creative workplace (as I call it), but one late night, I heard my heart saying, "DANCE", and decided to groove in my kitchen.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DH7QFRJxPlP/?igsh=MXB6cWZvNDJ4czd2bA==
As you can see it was small due to spacing and uncertainty in my ability, but the emotion/longing was there.
As time went by, I continued to keep on grooving without fear, making it part of my routine. It would take me a while to be confident to dance in front of the camera again. This was done the day before I saw one of my favorite bands, Coldplay. I put on one of their songs to pump myself up to see the show but just to explore with their music. This was more open in levels and musicality. I felt a little bit more of myself.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKku4nhxxGV/?igsh=emUxcDloZDBiZW00
I soon saw myself healthy (both physically and mentally) again. Yes, I still faced a lot pressure and busyness along the way, but I was little stressed and lazy than I was before. When I was booking more dancing and teaching jobs, I was more motivated to get back into training and workshop more. This was done in the early morning, and I exploring in more detail as if I was coming up with choreography.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLbAuppx_J5/?igsh=MXQ3MXd3cjkzMHN2ZQ%3D%3 D
Today I am joyful and less stressed since I fell in love with dancing again. Yes, I might not post a lot of dance content like I did ten years ago, but I will show my dance journey when I can (I will talk more about how to be consistent when posting dance content in another blog).
In conclusion, this is an example of why dance is so much more than moves, or getting likes on social media. It can heal the mind, body, and soul. It can tell stories. It can express our pure emotions. If you feel like you're burned out from dancing/work/life or lost that joy in dancing, here are three points on how you can get back into dancing with the right mindset and heart.
1. REST AND REALIZE: Yes. Take a break, but don't stay there forever. Understand why you are burned out and why you want to dance. You can journal, speak with a friend/counselor, or pray about it until you have the answers (even if if you don't have it all, you will learn along the way).
2. MAKE IT A ROUTINE: Don't start out too much. Start simple like grooving in the kitchen, party, or shopping (just beware of your surroundings) then build up to taking a class (either in-person or online) or having a self-class (either in the studio or at home). Build that momentum a little at a time, until you reach that stamina and confidence.
3. DON'T THINK JUST BE: I say this to my students when I teach or on my social media/content. If you worry, it will hold you back from what you can do. Let that light shine through your unique movement. When you let your true and growing self show, people will feel your light and be inspired by you.
Whether you are training or already a professional dancer, or need to add dancing to your life, I hope this blog will inspire and motivate you to keep on dancing...NO MATTER WHAT.
Oh yes. If you need some jams to add to your Playlist, here are my top 5 songs to improv/freestyle or choreograph to:
1. "Maps" covered by Richard Walter's
2. "Bloodline" by Alex Warren and Jelly Roll
3. "If Only I Could Wait" by Bon Iver and Danielle Haim
4. "Johny Says Stay Cool" by The Babe Rainbow
5. "To Be Free" by Sam Smith
6. "Lover Girl" by Laufey
7. "To the Wilder (Piano Version)" by Woodkid
8. "Tokyo Lift (5am)" by Cautious Clay
9. "GOOD FEELINGS" by Coldplay and Ayra Starr
10. "Ganei" by Elyanna
A native of Dothan, Alabama, Rapha Conrad has been trained in dance, music, and theatre. She took dancing and acting seriously after attending Tremaine Dance in 2009. Since then, Rapha has continued with dance training, along working with many choreographers from Justin Conte to David Moore. Plus, she has made appearances in movies, tv shows, and YouTube (like “Marvel’s Captain America 3”, “Dynasty” on the CW, “Good Mythical Morning with Rhett and Link”). Also, she has traveled from Atlanta to Los Angeles as a freelance choreographer and dance teacher for ten years. Besides dancing and acting, she is an online content creator and is working on her first documentary film called, “For the Kommunity” (which will premiere in early 2026). Her mission is to inspire those to be their authentic selves and keep on pursuing new realms of possibilities with a joyful heart.
Social Media Links:
Instagram.com/raphaconrad
Youtube.com/@RaphaConrad
