My big toe hurts. And somedays it hurts to get up from a sitting position --but I wouldn't have it any other way. For the past 6 weeks I've been taking dance lessons. Dance lessons that have woken up muscles that haven't been used in years, perhaps even decades! But dance I will as I get ready to face the music on April 30 as part of a fundraiser for the Shall We Dance event hosted by the Sexual Assault Crisis Center of the Fox Cities.
While I continue to practice my fancy footwork, the lessons along the way, along with my ever so patient instructor, Bryan, have been amazing. Some things I already knew about myself and some things were simply confirmed for me.
For example, I have been told over and over again by Bryan, and Frank, the owner of Absolute Danz that when we are on the wood floor, my partner is in control, not me. It has been extremely hard for me to do... to let go and let someone else literally take the lead. I still find myself grabbing my partner's hand as if I am in the lead, much to his chagrin. But I am starting to let go more. And, just like in business, it's those times when I lose control, let go more and not think so hard that I actually dance my best.
Trust is also a major component to make all of this work. I've approached this dancing portion of my life with my instructors as the experts to trust. I've let them suggest ideas that I never would have attempted in a million years. Some work, some don't, but at the end of the lesson I still trust they know what they are doing even if some moves didn't quite work out. But we tried them and that certainly counts for something!
I've also confirmed how I best learn. I always thought that I needed to make a lot of mistakes, do things the wrong way over and over again before I figure things out. Turns out this also applies to the dance floor as I misstep, forget moves and altogether can't figure out my left foot from my right. I also know that when I see the dance being performed by others and carefully watch the steps repeatedly, I then start to pick it up. So visual learning is definitely a must for me and making mistakes are a part of my learning process.
Now, if I make it through our debut in a few weeks time, well, we'll wait and see. But the journey of getting there has been fantastic. It's great to get out of a regular routine, step outside my comfort zone and cha-cha my way across the dance floor. Who would have thought?
