Flamenco # 3 / yoga # 62

[supercheesegirl]

I think my body is just not right for flamenco. My teacher is a tiny curvy Spanish woman who has been dancing flamenco since her early teens. I am a large gangly white woman who's been training her body for yoga for the past 6+ years. My body just doesn't get flamenco. I dance flamenco the way a giraffe staggers after it's been shot with a tranquilizer. I have actually started a poem describing all the awkward things about the way I dance flamenco (starting with that giraffe line). I was glad that last night marked the halfway point: three flamenco classes down, three more to battle through. And, you know, it kind of isn't even fun? My teacher is so talented and so interesting, but she works us really hard. There's no chitchatting, just work. One of the things I liked about the modern dance class was the camaraderie that built up among us, but I can't even remember the names of two of the women in the flamenco class.

Not to say that I'm not making improvements. I am definitely improving, and my body is starting to get it. I had a couple little moments last night where the posture actually clicked into place. Then it immediately clicked out again, but, well, what can you do. And the shoes make my feet hurt a lot.

Anyway, enough whining! Only three more classes. I am learning patience and perseverance. And flamenco's good for my hands, anyway, and it's a great workout.

Did 25-30 minutes of yoga this morning even though my yoga room was unavailable. I moved the coffee table to one side and did yoga in the living room. Nice.

Comments

[digital-e.livejournal.com]

I'm still impressed you're taking dance classes and picking something that challenges you! I feel like I would be way too awkward; seriously, I have no rhythm. R. and I are going to take dance lessons before our wedding because we don't want to just sway during the First Dance.

Are you taking another class after flamenco?

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

It's an ongoing adult dance series at the local art center up the street from my apartment. Honestly, it's the easiest thing ever to sign up and show up because it's just a 30-second walk away!

We started with six weeks of modern, now it's six weeks of flamenco. Then a break for the holidays, then six weeks of tap, five of african, six of indian. After that is belly dancing but that will be the month before my wedding so I don't think I'll be able to sign up for that one. I'm most excited for indian dance.

F and I are planning to do dance classes for our wedding dance, too. There's a community dance series that's taught at the high school, I think, so we're going to check that out in the spring.

[robotpistol.livejournal.com]

I'm proud of your ability to take on challenges, and it sounds like you're learning to listen to your body in new ways. All good things. On the flip side, I can't necessarily get behind doing activities that require foot-breaking shoes. Blech, ick. I love the giraffe line, though, and I want to read that poem!