I'm Elise Hugh. You're listening to TED Talks Daily. The lockdown months of the early

pandemic were weird and difficult and for so many of us really lonely. But the dancer and

choreographer Ryan Heffington used his time in isolation to create a community where people from

all over the world danced with him

through digital connections each day. In his talk from TED 2022, he shares the way goofy dance

moves can infuse joy and connect us at times we need it the most. That's after a quick break.

What is your connection to dance?

Do you love the ballet or maybe you watch those dance competitions on television?

Or did you jump into the whore at that bar mitz for one time?

I want you to reconsider your connection to dance

because I believe it to be a simple and successful way of accessing happiness within.

What do you need to participate?

Virtually nothing.

But your will to explore and have a little bit of fun.

No music, no partner required.

When I choreographed for film, television, or commercials, I often generate moves that are based on the human experience.

I take these moves and I string them together, twist and play with their pace in order to create more meaningful work.

We all have our own beautiful ways of moving, and this is worth celebrating.

It's time to extract the judgment out of our dance experience and set free the preconceived

notion of what good dance is.

And instead, find out how your own body loves to move,

and find out that inner rhythm that feels so good. Think more body, less critique.

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