Awkwardly squeezing out of my car in the tight car park, I realised that shouting random stuff at strangers in abandoned primary schools was not the done thing. I put on my best winning smile, which I'm sure really put her at ease.
"I don't think so - I'm here for the PTA Meeting", the Lady replied, rushing determinedly towards the front door. I followed her in the least creepy way possible when wearing leggings and brogues. Once inside, I found my way through the PTA meeting to the sports hall - the large, empty, dark sports hall with definitely no tapping or dancing happening.
Sitting on a bench, I debated how long I'd have to wait until I could legitimately write a blog about trying my very best to dance, and how it this clearly had been prevent by a power completely out of my control.
I also made sure to use my time wisely; evidence that I was there.
Just as I started to think that it would be socially acceptable to leave, Chantell arrived. Laden with a massive speaker, a number of mats and a huge bag, I have a slight suspicion that she did not expect to see me sitting there in the dark. Why would she - unlike with all my other sporty adventures, I had not contacted her in advance, but just follow a recommendation and a quick google search.
Her slight look of panic when I explained that I just wanted to join in (no, I have no previous experience. Ballet? Err, no, never. No, really, I can't dance...) gave me a clue that perhaps I should have let her know that I was panning to randomly turn up on this rainy Monday. The group had been working on a dance routine, which I had no chance of picking up. As one by one the Ladies of the group arrived, I became more and more at peace with the idea of sitting down and watching the pros. Let's face it, I'm always at peace with the idea of sitting down.
Chantell however had other ideas. "We'll work on technique instead, it will do us all good", she declared. Technique sounds very much like squats to me. I felt like the kid who hadn't done her homework, which lead to the entire class having to stay behind at break. But I was completely wrong - Chantell magically wove technique work into creating a brand new routine that I was able to follow. To a background of Eliza Doolittle, what's not to love?
After a while it became clear that my work shoes were really not at all suitable, and I thought the moment had finally come where I'd be ask to sit out and let the pros do their work. (Also, I was really ready for a break). But nope, still no sitting down for me.
What followed was an amusing interval of various Ladies swapping shoes with the only aim of finding one pair that might fit me. May I use the opportunity to thank these amazing Ladies for their kindness. On this journey through the alphabet of sports' I have encountered some of the kindest, funniest, most welcoming people. But giving your very own, very personal dancing shoes to a sweaty paws like me, just so that I could join in and feel part of it.. thank you!
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| I had too much fun to think about taking pictures - this one was sneakily captured at the end. I wish I could have captured the energy, the sound and the precision for you. |
Of course, just putting on a Cinderella slipper did not make me Fred Astaire, but neither did I fall over my own feet. Naturally I messed up all the steps and forgot to count and couldn't shuffle with my left leg (or any leg, for that matter). BUT I wasn't absolutely terribly the worst person ever. And I don't say that very often.
This was largely due to the time the Ladies took to make sure I had the chance to learn the steps properly. Sometimes (always), that involved going over the same bit again and again, and breaking down elaborate sequences into bite-size steps.
So should you dance your way back into exercise?
1. Absolutely yes! But maybe check if the lesson is suitable for beginners, or at least pre-warn them of your intentions.
2. Be prepared to sweat. Buckets. I was prepared to find it hard, to feel awkward, to not get it, fall over... I was not prepared to struggle for breath and perspire quite as much.
3. Wear comfortable clothing - I guess that goes without saying. Oh, and if your dance of choice is tap, don't believe google when he says that Brogues will do for beginners. They will not.
4. Compared to other classes I have tried, it had been more difficult to find a class I could just pop along - on the other hand, dancing is really such a wide open field that I'm sure there'd be a style (and nearby class) for everyone.
5. Like with a lot of the other activities I have given a go, it's clear hat you can't learn it in one lesson. I guess the good thing about tap is that I can practice it at home, on my own, and build confidence before the next class.
6. Whilst of course physical activity was the key driver behind me attending this class, I also really enjoyed all the other aspects of dancing. The music, the rhythm, the "desperately trying to remember which step comes next", the counting, the fitting in with the group... I returned home physically and mentally tired from trying to take it all in.
Will there be a next class? Well... I'm buying the shoes! And if you wonder what my best husband has to say about the footwear expense, I'd just like to update you on his latest hobby. Since he'd kindly come along to support me with climbing, he's bough the shoes, the chalk bag and the loyalty discount card. U-hu.
