Dancing to a different beat
Whew!! Ok, my schedule is now returning to the lazy, slow-paced life of the unemployed. For the last month I have been exploring another creative venture, i.e. dancing, via the Edna Manley College for the Visual and Performing Arts (EMCVPA) Summer School programme in the School of Dance.
This is not something new I wanted to try, but in fact a return to an activity from my youth - I danced as a child and again in sixth form and first year UWI. I always missed it and decided to give it a shot, partly for the exercise. It was a great learning experience (besides the obvious examples of technique and different dance forms):
- Consistency is key - The intense schedule of 3-hour classes Monday through Friday generated tremendous improvements in most of the students not just in technique but in fitness, strength and muscle tone.
- You’re not as old as you think - The squeals of joy resonated through the studio as people realized they could now touch their toes or go down into a (near) split.
- It takes all types - Taking a class like this helps to teach appreciation for your body because you have to focus on what it can do and not on what you look like. The important thing is learning to work with your body and push its limits.
- Support of friends goes a long way - A knowing look or a small smile can be all that’s needed to get you through a difficult moment. Knowing that somebody else is there with you rooting for you to achieve always helps.
- Have fun - It’s not worth it if you’re not having fun, both in life and dance.
I’m not sure yet whether I will be continuing to make dance a regular part of my life again, but it was an intensely fun (and exhausting) month, filled with new friends and new muscles. 
Right now I am feeling kindatired (yawn)...
