Happy Dance

Celebrate with the Peanuts gang in this sweet book about Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and friends. It's the perfect gift for graduates of all ages and for everyone who needs a little inspiration to work hard, believe in themselves, and put on their dancing shoes!

This dance journal follows author, researcher, and university lecturer Laura Kline as she embarks on a unique journey towards heightened awareness. It records her daily insecurities as a fifty-five-year-old dance student—doing undercover research for her next lesbian romance novel—at her own university. Nervous about joining this high-risk contact improvisation class, she soon realizes what a tremendous opportunity it offers the protagonists, two fictional female dancers who fall in love. Little does she suspect how this course, along with her weekly 5Rhythms® dance sessions, will impact her personal growth and worldview, by forcing her to slow down and experience the intense flavor of each moment. It even enhances her survival skills. When the COVID-19 pandemic hits, her daily journal reflections broaden to include noisy neighbors, walls closing in on her, her partner, and their cat during the sudden stay-at-home order, struggles with teaching remotely, loss of sleep, weight loss, etc. Without realizing it, Laura becomes the protagonist of her own book—this journal. Her lively and humoristic adventure through dance illustrates how becoming present—even for five short minutes while standing still in pure silence—what she calls the Happy Dance—can literally lift people up, providing a safe space to traverse unexpected rocky roads. Her expedition is pebbled with injury and stress, yet she continues dancing. Page by page, with Laura’s stick-figure illustrations, we gradually see how Laura unearths a youthful buoyancy in her musculoskeletal system, lubricating her achy joints, giving them a bounce as she treads barefoot into the kitchen—or masters the moonwalk in her school’s photocopy room. Through a deep exploration of mindful movement and contact improvisation, we observe Laura as she dances her way to greater health, stability, healing, and happiness.

He’s a happy-go-lucky cowboy who enjoys dancing, appreciates life and loves being single… she’s a woman with a hard past and now working even harder to make the right moves… and life is looking up—but it’s a no go for romance… trust is something she no longer has. Caleb Buckley enjoys watching his brothers and cousins fall in love and he’s really enjoying the town’s newfound love of holding a dance once a month for all those who want to come into town to have a good time. He has no plans to settle down, but lately his attention is snagged by the quiet beauty who is working at the ladies’ clothing store. The one who doesn’t dance with anyone. The one whose stance and beautiful eyes clearly say “keep away”. Jasmine Scott has a past she’s determined to leave behind. And after her mother introduces her to the small town of Lone Star, Texas, she’s moved to town and is working at the lovely dress store and things are looking good. Only problem is the Buckley brother she’s quietly watched with reluctant sneak peeks. Caleb took her “stand back” warning early on and has done just that while he dances with every female at the town dances. The man obviously enjoys life… but she’s not going there. And yet sometimes life takes a turn and there is no control—and she’s about to find that out—but she’s going to fight it with all she’s got. Welcome back to the Buckley brothers and cousin’s life in Lone Star… the town full of wonderful, meddling people who suddenly have a new couple to focus on matching up. Can love overcome despite the reluctance of two people who aren’t on the lookout for it?

Dream big, try your best, then do your happy dance with Snoopy and the Peanuts gang in this uplifting story that’s perfect for gift-giving! You tried your best, you gave it your all, you went for that kick…when you knew you might fall! You never lost hope, you always aimed high, you kept your eyes set on that hint of blue sky. So take a deep breath, then jump at the chance: This day is your day…and this dance is your dance! It’s not always easy to achieve your dreams, study for a test, or score a goal: just ask the Peanuts. But Charlie Brown tries again and again to kick that football and Snoopy never stops believing his doghouse will take flight. Whether you fall or fly, win or lose, if you’ve tried your best…do a happy dance! Having a can-do attitude, working hard, and refusing to give up—even if someone calls you a blockhead—is the biggest accomplishment of all! This special story is the perfect gift for graduates of all ages—and for anyone who needs a little inspiration to put on their dancing shoes! © 2016 Peanuts Worldwide LLC

“Peter Lovatt, author of The Dance Cure,… the ease with which his dancing can cheer me up is frightening.” — The Guardian “Peter Lovatt, author of The Dance Cure… the ease with which his dancing can cheer me up is frightening.” — The Guardian

Dance Psychology is the study of dance and dancers from a scientific, psychological perspective. Written by Dr Peter Lovatt (AKA Dr Dance), this Dance Psychology textbook provides a general introduction to the Psychology of Dance and then it delves in to eleven of the most central questions concerning Dance Psychology. Are humans born to dance? Does the way you move your body change the way you think? Will dancing make people happier? Can dancing put people in to a trance-like state? Will a person's dance confidence change across the lifespan? Does dancing make people healthier? Why do we enjoy watching some dance performances more than others? How do dancers remember so many dance routines? Why don't dancers get dizzy? Will dancing improve a person's self-esteem? How do we communicate emotions with our body? Drawing on academic literature, this book is engaging, technical and, in places, critical; it is essential reading for anyone with an interest in Dance Psychology.

In the stories that make up Dance of the Happy Shades, the deceptive calm of small-town life is brought memorably to the page, revealing the countryside of Southwestern Ontario to be home to as many small sufferings and unanticipated emotions as any place. This is the book that earned Alice Munro a devoted readership and established her as one of Canada's most beloved writers. Winner of the Governor General's Award for Fiction, Dance of the Happy Shades is Alice Munro's first short story collection.

Get Fit, Get Happy isn't about just transforming the way you look. It's about transforming the way you feel. Harry Judd is a member of the hugely successful bands McFly and McBusted who have headlined Hyde Park, notched up 19 hit singles - of which 7 went to number one - and 2 number-one albums. He is a much-loved former Strictly Come Dancing champion and has been crowned the nation's favourite ever winner of the show. And yet in spite of this success, there have been times when Harry has been prone to anxiety and other mental health issues. He's not alone. Today, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems affect more of us than ever before and we are all looking for ways to adapt, cope and survive the pressures of daily life. The one thing that Harry has turned to time and time again to redress the balance in his life is fitness. Now, using a combination of exercise and dance, Harry makes the mood-boosting benefits of fitness accessible for everyone. Young or old, male or female, small or large, tall, short, thin, fat or somewhere in the middle: anyone will be inspired by Get Fit, Get Happy. Without any need for expensive kit or lots of time, Harry's approach is fun, fast, free. Part memoir in which Harry tells the life lessons that he has learned, and part richly researched fitness plan to get you feeling more positive, Get Fit, Get Happy is a fitness revolution to help people find a little more happiness in their lives.