The Polar Vortex is even colder when you are wearing a thong. Of course, I'm referencing my lyrical dance shoes which are also known as "foot thongs". My feet are freezing as I stand on the concrete floor waiting for class to start. My bravado from last week has worn off and I debated all day about whether or not to come to class tonight. But I realized I was just looking for excuses to avoid it so, at the last minute, I threw on my foot thongs and headed to class for my weekly round of humiliation.
The cold has kept most everyone away from class tonight but I meet Andrea who was unable to be at class last week. She is a law student who is studying for the Bar exam and takes this class for physical exercise as well as for complete mental diversion. Since it is just the two of us and she is new to this series as well, we are able to spend some time talking with "CherryBomb" (whose real name is Alina and who is actually the studio owner) about the class structure, and of course, the dreaded "showcase".
She talks about how she started the studio a couple years ago as a means of helping women build confidence while getting some exercise in a fun and unique way. I share with her that years ago, I injured my back and have continuing back issues so I have some concerns about a class like this. She assures me that she will always show me modifications for the moves to minimize stress to my back. And in fact, I'm surprised to learn that she works with numerous groups who are actually going through physical therapy and use this as a means of exercise and rehabilitation.
We talk...a lot...about showcase. Alina tells us that she plans the choreography for each dance to reflect the song, be a little bit flirty, but also a little bit funny - this is burlesque after all. She says that chair dance can be about comedy and says "none of us take ourselves too seriously around here". She also reminds us that the audience for showcase is made up of people who are supporting every dancer on state - husbands, boyfriends, in some cases, wives and girlfriends, maybe even family or other friends. These are people who care about the people on stage and are there to lend their support for the courage it takes to be up front and also have some laughs enjoying the show that is planned. I like everything she has to say.
Then we begin to talk about costuming and I'm less enthused about that discussion. Some of the ideas sound less than appealing to me. I'm still not certain that I will actually do the showcase at all so I try not to express any opinions...I'll let the group decide what works best for them. The song that they had selected was "Gold Digger" so naturally, gold lame is a distinct possibility.
Our conversation finished, we do our warm up, learn some new moves, and then start putting together choreography for the dance. I catch myself doing the same self talk as last week - "I look ridiculous", "why am I here", and noticing every bulge and unattractive jiggle in the full wall mirror that stands in front of us. Much of the time, I focus on the teacher or the other students and refuse to even watch myself in the mirror. But at the same time, there are moments where I find myself thinking "OK, I get that move now", or laughing with Alina and Andrea about ideas for choreography and at ourselves as we try moves that are uncomfortable and out of our comfort zone.
Soon, we have the first segment of the routine choreographed and class is over. Alina tells us to practice at home during the week and I find myself actually looking forward to next week and learning more of the dance. My conversation on the way home is much different than last week. I'm still not entirely confident and negative thoughts do wind their way into my dialogue with myself, but for the most part, I'm feeling a bit self-congratulatory. With wind chills at 45 below zero, it would have been easy to stay home and catch up on "Downton Abbey", but instead I came to class and am glad that I did.
No comments:
Post a Comment