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By Andrea Dujardin-Flexhaug
FOR 25 year old dance instructor Jason Wood of Kelowna’s New Life Church, dance is his passion – and a connection to his faith.
Salsa, rumba, cha–cha, jive, tango and foxtrot are all part of his life – as well as God-centred creative dance at worship services.
“I believe we are all created to worship God in different ways,” Wood told BCCN. “I feel most connected to God in worship when I’m dancing.”
But it wasn’t always that way for him. Although he had grown up as a Christian in the small
town of Kaslo, he said he “ditched Christ for booze for three or four years.”
Since he returned to Christ a few years ago, he said he has “been on a journey to discover where my passions lie.”
Wood went to his first salsa class two years ago in Kelowna. He said that, up to
this point, he had thought of dancing as effeminate, and only went because some
friends were going.
Instead of feeling uncomfortable, Wood said, he wound up enjoying himself – and felt affirmed in his masculinity.
“Leading in partner dance seemed to fill some hidden desire I never knew I had,” said Wood. “Somebody lit me on fire.” From then on, he was hooked on dancing – anywhere and everywhere he could find an opportunity.
Now he teaches Latin and Ballroom dance three to five nights a week, and works
at several other jobs as well.
Wood’s enthusiasm has caught on with other young adults; many are taking to the dance
floor at the studio where Wood works. He noted that dance does more than give
physical exercise; it also teaches discipline.
“It highlights morality, teamwork, hygiene, lead and follow, excitement, passion – and is fun,” he said. “You can’t dance drunk or on drugs.”
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As if that wasn’t enough creative energy, Wood is also a poi spinner – and teacher of this little known martial arts dance form. “It is two fireballs attached to chains, attached to my hands, spun around in
intricate patterns,” he explained.
Regarding the church he attends, Wood said: “I love the worship, and that they encourage the arts as a platform for worship.”
New Life has a Worship Arts Group, which incorporates dance, drama, music and
video into services; it also has a newly formed creative writing group.
Members are invited to participate with the worship teams, creating art during
worship services – and also to put their artwork on display in the foyer.
The New Life website notes they “highly value dance, and are very blessed to have a great group made up of both
professional and amateur dancers.”
June 2009
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