CORAL GABLES, FL – DEC 14 Arthur Murray International congratulates Nothumbria University in Scotland for groundbreaking social research that confirms what men and women in the dance world have known for centuries: women are skilled judges of men’s dance moves as a means of judging their health, strength and attractiveness as potential mates.

“The study is fancinating to us in the dance world. By using the latest in 3D motion capture technology, these researchers drilled down to the precise moves that women identify as indicators of a good partner. This totally validates what we have told our men students for years – women love men who can dance,” said Thomas Murdock, Vice President Marketing and Promotions at Arthur Murray International, the iconic global dance organization.

This particular study, from Northumbria’s School of Life Sciences, filmed 19 male volunteers with a 3D camera as they danced to a basic rhythm. Their movements were mapped onto featureless avatars that were then presented to a group of 25 women who were asked to rate their physical attractiveness.

As it turns out, Elvis was right on target: large and varied movements involving the neck and the trunk made all the difference.

There have been many studies that have proven the power of dance when it comes to attracting women to men. What does this mean on the dance floor?

According to Murdock, popular dances that move these body parts include the Tango, which involves quick head movements, and the Salsa which uses syncopated body rhythms to express the music.

The study, led by psychologist Dr Nick Neave and researcher Kristofor McCarty, was published in the Royal Society Journal Biology Letters. Northumbria is an internationally acclaimed modern university in the heart of the historic City of Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England.

Arthur Murray Dance Centers can be found throughout American and Canada and in Australia, Brazil, England, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Latvia, Mexico, South Africa, Taiwan, and United Arab Emirates. More than 40 million people have learned to dance at Arthur Murray Dance Centers. For more information about ballroom dance, visit the Arthur Murray International website.

Throughout her life, Doris made a huge contribution and a lasting impression on the Arthur Murray organization. In April 2009, at age 105, she took part in the Arthur Murray International Franchisee Convention.  Phil Masters, Chairman of the Board of Directors, who knew Mrs. Travis since the 1950s, described her presentation as “brilliant, witty, charming, and an inspiration.”  Doris spoke about her love of dance, life, and the more than three decades that she was a highly successful part of the Arthur Murray Dance Studio system.

In 1936, when Doris’ stage and film career had slowed, she was having a difficult time finding employment.   A friend was taking her son to the Arthur Murray Dance Studio for tap lessons, and mentioned that the studio’s top tap dancing instructor was leaving.  Doris went into the studio to meet with Arthur Murray.  She introduced herself as a member of the Eaton family, a theatrical family well-known and respected by everyone in the theater and performing arts of New York.  Doris began teaching tap at the Arthur Murray Dance Studio the very next day.  It was to be a collaboration that lasted for the rest of her life.

As she learned more about the studio and social dancing, Doris was invited to attend Mr. Murray’s training course for instructors.  Within a year, she was asked to help one of the instructors open a branch studio in located within The Statler Hotel in Detroit.  When management at the hotel changed, she was part of the early franchise system, opening Arthur Murray Dance Studios throughout Detroit and Michigan.    At one point, Doris and her husband Paul, who she met while teaching, ran as many as 18 studios throughout Michigan.

Known as “The Arthur Murray Lady,” she authored a column of dance advice and commentary for the Detroit News entitled “On Your Toes” and hosted a local television program for seven years.  But her influence extended far way beyond Michigan.  She returned to visit with Arthur Murray family often, and was a featured guest at the international convention in 2009.

Every member of the Arthur Murray family remembers her as an inspirational woman, who believed that ballroom dance was something everyone could enjoy, at any age or stage of life.

John Kimmins, President of AMI, remembering Doris:

“She’s a legend in the dance world, and always an inspiration for the entire Arthur Murray family.   We’ve been proud of her enthusiasm, spirit, and energy.  At 105, she was actively involved in ballroom dancing and her passion for teaching seemed boundless.”

Claudia Marshall, owner of two Arthur Murray Studios in Dallas and International Training Director for AMI, who was a good friend and dance colleague:

“Doris constantly traveled to Cuba and South America to learn the latest Latin dances and bring them back to the Arthur Murray Studios.  She was a brilliant teacher.    Long before the national

Arthur Murray Dance Party produced by Arthur and Kathryn, Doris produced a local Detroit Dance Show that aired every week and was wildly popular.”

Two weeks ago, during the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS annual Easter benefit, something she started doing in 1998, Doris told Claudia: “Best years of my life were the Arthur Murray years.”

Doris Eaton Travis will be missed..….and long remembered by all whose lives she touched.

CORAL GABLES, FL – Jan – Today, the best wedding dance is whatever the bride and groom want it to be.  That means everything from a procession down the aisle with bride, groom and entire wedding parties dancing down the aisle and into a YouTube video or a video on the couple’s FaceBook page.  Weddings today are more visual than ever before, and the first dance as husband and wife present a great opportunity for couples to be creative and expressive.

According to the Wedding Dance Experts at Arthur Murray Dance Centers, (the world’s best loved dance teaching organization), the key is to start well in advance so couples, and the entire wedding party, can be as comfortable as possible. Practice does make perfect, and practice takes time and commitment.

Here’s more from the dance experts at Arthur Murray International:

Start as early as possible.  More than one Arthur Murray Dance Studio has stories of couples who come in just days before the wedding.  It takes three to six months, depending on the complexity of the dance and how many people are in the wedding party.

Practice in the same shoes that you will be wearing at the wedding – this goes for the bride and groom.  If you learn to samba in slippers, and then get hitched in high heels, your dancing will not look or feel the same and tripping over your feet is not a good move at the reception.

If you are planning on posting the dance online, have the cameraperson tape you after you’ve got the basics down.  You don’t want to wait until the last minute to find out that the angle is wrong or that a particular move may feel great but looks awkward on the small screen.

Practice often and everywhere.  If your dance is a secret, practice another dance – the idea is to get really comfortable with moving together as a team.

Pick a few different songs or dances that you love.  Make sure your band or DJ works with you so that the music is as perfect as the dance.

If your honeymoon involves a cruise, you’ll enjoy it more if you include lessons in a variety of dance styles.  Remember that dancing together is enjoyed over many years, in many different occasions.

Call or visit your local Arthur Murray Dance Center to find out about First Wedding Dance programs and learn the right moves to make you feel comfortable and at ease on the dance floor for that special moment.

Arthur Murray Dance Centers can be found throughout America and Canada and in Australia, Brazil, England, Egypt, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, Latvia, and South Africa.  More than 40 million people have learned to dance at Arthur Murray Dance Centers.  For more information about ballroom dance, visit the Arthur Murray International website at www.arthurmurray.com.

FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS DAY GIFTS, HERE’S A GREAT GIFT IDEA

We can’t think of a better gift idea for Father’s Day or Mother’s Day than the gift of dance lessons.  From new parents who need a break from tending toddlers to parents of teens who need serious stress relief, Mothers and Fathers at every age and stage  will enjoy the fun and fitness of ballroom dance.  Special gift packages of ballroom dance lessons are easily purchased at any local Arthur Murray Dance Studio.

Ballroom dance lessons offer many benefits:

• Great exercise – a low-pressure way to get Dad off of the couch and moving
• Romantic – creates an instant “date night”
• Good for the brain – regular ballroom dance has been the subject of many studies and is considered a useful tool in the battle against Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia
• Booster for social life – people who dance tend to be more social
• Reap rewards for a lifetime – family parties, business and community events are more enjoyable for those who are confident in their dance skills.

Click here to find an Arthur Murray Dance Studio near you that sells dance lesson gift certificates