Do Dancers Make For Better Lovers? Let’s Investigate

In the grand ballroom of romance, there’s a rumour swirling around: dancers make for extraordinary lovers. Let’s skip the serious talk, and shimmy our way into a world of waltz and wonder. We are exploring the connection between the dance floor and the bedroom, where twirls, pirouettes, and shuffles have become ingredients to a forever-ever-romance.

Manifest chatted with Shalu and Sunil, whose paths as dancers and lovers intertwine beautifully... Their story begins with a chance encounter on the dance floor and evolves into a deep bond.

They met, danced, and fell in love…

“You live twice as nice when you let a new language or dance form enter your life,” says Shalu, having experienced this closely for the past two decades at Mundo Latino, a language school in New Delhi. The Latin American Cultural Centre promotes Latin and Caribbean dances, and the Spanish language, and has trained over 5,000 students.

Recognised by the Spanish-speaking diplomatic community and organisations like ICCR and the Indian government, they organised India Fiesta Latina (IFL), a top Latin Dance event hosting dancers from 50+ countries between 2012 and 2015. Although they are professionally trained dancers, this was not their chosen profession but a calling they couldn’t resist. Sunil’s inspiration sparked from the musical Break-dance in ‘84, which led him to formal training and eventually to teaching.

Shalu, always a dance enthusiast, founded the Western Dance Society at Gargi College, Delhi University, where she studied and choreographed fashion shows, often competing at the university level.

The beginning of it all

Their journey to lovers flowed like a beautifully choreographed routine. “Dance has been our constant companion, weaving through the tapestry of our lives, from our first steps as dancers to the rhythm of our hearts as lovers,” says Sunil.  It was natural for two hearts passionate about dancing to fall in love.

“Dance was the language that brought us together,” Shalu reminisces, her eyes sparkling with memories of their first dance.

“It was as if the music knew our story before we did.” Sparks flew when they danced for the first time to Madonna’s Who’s That Girl on July 5, 1986, at a friend’s party. By the time they got to know each other over a “terribly romantic candlelit dance” to Starship’s Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now they realised their relationship had deepened into something special both on and off the dance floor.

For Shalu and Sunil, dance is more than just a stage performance; it’s a lifestyle filled with spontaneity, passion, and sheer joy. They steal moments to dance and romance in the most unexpected places and times—a restaurant (can you believe it?!) or, hold your breath, even a parking lot!

For both—dance is life—not just an art form but a way of living fully. It has also tuned their ability to communicate and connect deeply, not just physically, but emotionally too. “It’s like making music, where the mind, body, and soul communicate at a different level—it’s almost magical, like having a secret superpower for better empathy and understanding,” reflects Sunil. Dance has taught the two to go beyond words when they listen to each other, highlighting how their shared passion has deepened their bond over the years.

Sunil adds, “In dance, there’s a silent conversation that transcends spoken language, expressing emotions that words alone cannot convey.”

Save the last dance for me

So, do dancers really make extraordinary lovers? Shalu and Sunil think it’s all about their groove, with their partner’s energy, and mood, their empathy, and their free-spirited love style! “Living in the moment makes our expressions of love and affection more passionate,” they reveal with a smile. Juggling work, family and kids is a challenge for some but a breeze for them because dance isn’t just a job—it’s their secret ingredient for fun and romance! The couple makes sure to keep the excitement going in their lives by participating in annual dance festivals, weekly Latin dance socials, and celebrations with family and friends.

One such special moment was on March 2, 2016. Their dance moves and love story merged into something truly unforgettable in Havana during their silver anniversary celebrations. A serendipitous encounter with a talented duo playing the absolute classic and their all-time favourite song Bésame Mucho led to a spontaneous dance. “We both stopped eating…looked at each other through our trendy shades—got overwhelmed—and began dancing with tears of joy in our eyes.” Sunil adds, “We shared a rush of emotion in those four minutes: from profound love to gratitude, emotional relief, and holding on to the most precious thing in the world,” they chime in unison.

I smell jealousy

Ever wondered how dancers like Shalu and Sunil handle dancing with other partners without tripping over jealousy? Much like non-dancers, dancing with different partners has been a journey of growth for them, teaching them respect, trust, and the importance of setting boundaries. “There’s no room for jealousy or insecurity,” they assert. “It’s all about appreciating the art and respecting each other.”

The same goes for moments of challenge and vulnerability, where dance has been their ultimate saviour. Shalu’s knee surgery in 2017 became a turning point.

“Daily dance doses and a leap into professional Kathak courses revived her spirit,” Sunil recounts proudly.

“Dance became our healing balm, strengthening our bond in the face of adversity.” For couples navigating the complexities of sharing a passion while maintaining a strong relationship, Shalu and Sunil advise, “Embrace the fun, the romance, the learning—it’s the sweet moments that overcome complexities.”

The secret sauce?

Dive into learning, practising, and performing together. It brings you closer and adds a dash of youthful energy that leads to unforgettable moments. For them dance is more than a passion—it’s their love language. What’s their advice for others? Dance, laugh, and let your love song play on! Fun, romance, learning, and celebrating together have kept them glued together for over three decades. “When the music starts, our souls follow unquestioningly, weaving our love story in every step,” they reassert.