Go On, Tiny Dancer

2010 New Year’s Resolution? Take a dance class. Days until completion? 5.

On January 5th, 2010, I took my first hip-hop class in 15 years. 15 YEARS?!?! Are you kidding me?!? It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long - and if I think about it too long, it sends me into a pre-midlife panic. But, I digress...

I went to Broadway Dance Center, which is one of the studios in NY that we regularly frequented growing up. They’ve since changed locations and have a spankin’ new dance studio, but the nostalgia was still there. Overall, I think I did really well! I was a little scared to jump back in to the advanced classes, so I decided to take Beginner’s Hip-Hop. It turned out great, b/c the routine was at an Intermediate level, but they just taught it a little slower - good for somebody who’s been out of the game for so long. Plus, it wasn’t necessarily going to hurt my feelings if I ended up being the best in the class. :D

First thing I noticed was that every single person in the class was wearing baggy sweatpants and sneakers - neither of which I own a pair of - and here I am...9 months shy of 30...in my running shoes and pajama bottoms...trying my damnedest to reclaim my funkiness. I thought about slipping on the Vans I had worn that day, but I was afraid that my inability to tie them tight would result in a checkered shoe in the back of someone’s head.

After a couple minutes of stretching, we started learning the routine. Set to an Aaliyah song (perfect...my era!), it was a routine that would jump from smooth, gliding moves to quick, funky ones. The quick ones, I didn’t have a problem with. It was the slower, popping ones that I wasn’t used to. You see...I dance like I’m still the 90's. The teacher was so smooth with her movements, and I'm over here popping my shoulders like any minute I’m going to break out the Troop (alas, I couldn’t find a video reference for this). I’m a quick learner though, so by the end I started to get the hang of it. I had hopes of recording this whole experience for everybody to witness, but unfortunately BDC doesn’t allow recordings of any kind.

How was the aftermath? I’m pretty active already, so I wasn’t too sore except in my lower back. I guess I don’t use those muscles as much playing sports. I could tell that it was a good core workout though, and I definitely plan on going back. Now...I’m off to buy some sweatpants and sneakers.