2 September 2022
Dansdocent Anthony Pinas: ’Dansen is emotie’
He's a professional dancer, dance teacher, and owner of a dance school. Anthony Pinas lives and breathes dance. "If I don't move, if I don't dance, I become sluggish, have no energy, and my brain only works at half capacity. That's how I see it's good for me. Exercise is especially important for children. Not only physically, but also socially and mentally, it's essential. That's why every child should have access to sports, regardless of their financial situation at home."
Anthony Pinas has been dancing since he was twenty and still regrets not starting sooner. “It’s so wonderful! I’m a professional dancer. I’ve performed extensively both at home and abroad. But I’ve also always taught and have had my own dance school for years, OnPoint Dancelab in Amsterdam and Diemen. Teaching is what gives me so much satisfaction. Not every dancer is a teacher, but I really enjoy inspiring others. Helping them overcome the barrier and improve. It’s all about growth for me. Seeing someone come in and improve, and open up more and more.”
Being vulnerable
When Anthony talks about the effects of dancing, he lights up. “Besides physical growth like building fitness, strengthening muscles, and improving body control, dancing also promotes growth in other areas. The more you practice, the better you get. So that builds self-confidence. Dancing doesn't come naturally to everyone. Some find it very intimidating and daunting. It requires the courage to be vulnerable, to show yourself. It's a form of self-expression, it's emotion. People open up when they dance. That's beautiful to see. I've experienced that this also carries over beyond the dance floor. People can connect better with others, are more open, and feel more comfortable in their own skin. I hear from parents that their children are doing better at home. That they're more relaxed and also perform better at school. Children become fitter, but also more sociable, more active, and their brains are put to work. These are all effects of dancing.”
I am also raising children
What I also love to see is the group process. You dance with your own body, but not alone. You build something together, you create something together. You help each other, and you really have to do it together. You learn from each other and teach each other things. So that's a process for many children too. I sometimes say that as a dance teacher, I'm also educating. It's about teaching basic skills like self-confidence, responsible behavior, discipline, and concentration. Skills that are useful everywhere. We also tap into creativity, social skills, and learning to work together. But most importantly: it's just a lot of fun. It's great to dance together!
Ego aside
Children aged four and up are welcome. They move playfully to music. It's wonderful to watch. From age seven, they move on to hip-hop, street dance, or Afro classes. And so you can keep dancing until you're eighty. I want everyone to experience that. That's why I hope parents don't hesitate to contact the Youth Sports & Culture Fund. Put your ego aside. Call, email, and sign up if your child wants to dance and you can't afford it. It can be so rewarding. Give your child that experience. Because every day I see the benefits of movement and dancing. And money shouldn't be an obstacle.
Photo: Karen Steenwinkel.
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