Salsa perhaps?
“Relax your shoulders.” “Relax your shoulders.” I heard this comment over and over during my dance lesson on Thursday. You should know by now that I’m an avid social dancer, and every once in a while treat myself to private instruction to improve my game. Seriously, I thought I was doing pretty good… until 10 minutes in. After we did a series of dance moves testing my abilities, the shoulder reminders started. And to see what he was talking about I later watched myself on video. Yep, those shoulders are hunched up all right. But I’ve been thinking, maybe I was just trying too hard to keep up with Mr. Smooth.
We had a rare treat around here last week. My dance community spent four days of workshops and practice with a popular instructor from Seattle who upped our collective dance game and infused me with new enthusiasm. All levels of skill joined up to learn how to connect with each other, making us all better dancers and better partners. Fingers crossed!
Ari Levitt was a pleasure to watch and to dance with. An experienced partner can lead me into moves I didn’t know I had, which always surprises the hell out of me! Finding out you’re more capable than you thought is heaven. And it’s often the little things that matter most when you’re trying to move together: adjusting an arm slightly to the left, standing a little more to the right, taking smaller steps and… relaxing your shoulders. Reading each other’s signals is everything in partner dance and when we’re in sync like that… the pleasure’s all mine. The little magnet above is on my fridge and reminds me everyday about the pleasure of dance.
Improve your life by embracing change.
Seeing yourself on video is both painful AND enlightening. Mostly, YUCK! But it’s always surprising and a good kick in the butt that gets you out of your rut. Lots of people hate change and look forward to things being the same all the time, but I get bored pretty fast so change is a good thing. I had a friend once who hadn’t changed her hairstyle for 30 years. When I hinted that she release her librarian bun, she said, “It’s comforting to know what my hair is going to look like every day.” Up until then, I’d always wondered why people don’t get bored with themselves, looking the same way and doing the same thing every single day. Although… I do love my cuppa first thing in the morning and a seriously hot bath before sliding into bed at night!
Improving the way I move through the world is so satisfying. Re-evaluating and re-imagining how things could be better in all aspects of your life is a very good habit to develop. When my health, my home and my relationships are running smoother, I feel much calmer.
Weeded out this week: More like “seeded in” the feeling that comes with being squared away. I’m embracing change more than ever as I re-re-examine every nook in the house.
Hi Carol, remember me? My husband, Tom, and I belonged to Monads.
I can feel your love of dancing through your words. Just keep dancing and keep changing!!
How lovely to read your comment, Cathy. Of course I remember you. I really do miss Monads, the live music, and the conversations we had! Yes, still love to move my feet across the dance floor.