Few people know that when famed British philosopher Alan Watts moved to New York in 1938 to study Zen (he is credited for introducing Eastern philosophy to the West) he became a devoted Jitterbug dancer up at the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem. He was renown for his physical stamina and strength in sending his partners "over the moon" when "air steps" were just making the scene. Many people believe part of his affinity for the dance-- and particularly the dance's break where the air step was born-- was his knowledge of Zen and Jujitsu. Click here to listen to Watts describe Zen in terms of jazz. The above quote can be found in this short video about what life is all about.
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