Travel with me back in time to October 1969...

The country is in the post-Woodstock era, trying desperately to cling to the late-60’s ideals of peace, love and racial equality. Richard Nixon is President, and the Viet Nam War rages nightly on our black & white TV sets. The mood is more darkness, less hope.

Enter 5 young boys from Gary, Indiana. The Jackson 5 first catches the eye of Berry Gordy when he is captivated by the lead singer, an 11-year old Michael, as he croons “Who’s Loving You,” by Smokey Robinson. (Google it if you’ve never seen it) Gordy has recently written “I Want You Back.”Originally written for Gladys Knight, Gordy decides to take a chance and releases the song as the Jackson 5’s first single. Diana Ross introduces the boys and their song on the TV show Hollywood Palace, and the rest is history.

In October 1969, I was a shy, socially awkward high school sophomore. I spent a lot of time at home, and one of my favorite things to do was listen to the radio and dance around the house. In a world that felt sad & disconnected, music and dancing always had the ability to lift my spirits. Like so many teenagers of the time, I wholeheartedly embraced the Jackson 5. I begged my mother to buy me the 45 of “I Want You Back.” I played it over and over on my little portable record player, dancing and singing in front of the mirror, imagining I was on Hollywood Palace.

Music has that power, doesn’t it? We hear a song, and instantly we are transported to a memory or an emotion. So when “I Want You Back” played over the car radio recently, I thought, “I need to put that song back in rotation.”

These days, my dance moves stay lower to the ground, in deference to a now 68-year-old body. But the joy is still there, and today I invite to you come along for the ride. In a sudden burst of nostalgic, young-girl energy, I created this latest Dance with Me video, “I Want You Back.:

Whether you dance with me to this song or one more to your liking, why not take a moment today to pull out “an oldie but goodie” and dance around the house? I think I see you smiling already!

If you’re new around here, be sure to check out my YouTube channel. Here’s a sampling of what you’ll find:

Summer of Dance playlist - 9 videos of low-impact, high energy dancing fun to the music of the 60’s & 70’s

Basics of Yoga playlist - 7 videos of foundational yoga poses to help you begin your yoga journey

The Midlife Yoga & Wellness channel just topped the 75 video mark! Every time you "like" one of my videos or subscribe to the channel, you help Midlife Yoga & Wellness continue to grow. And if you have a favorite song, let me know. It just might show up in a future dance video!

Ready to join me for a live, online yoga class? Learn more and register right here.

Until next time,

~ Rosemary