It's been a while . . .

[feliciakw]

Why has it been so long since I've danced?

George introduced the movies at his work on Thursday, two documentaries, Twist and Theremin: An Electronic Odyssey. I only stayed for Twist (which George said that of the two, I would have enjoyed the most anyway), and what a fun, entertaining, informative movie it was! Quite honestly, it made me want to get up and dance, and it made me wonder, why has it been so long since I've danced?

The last belly dancing class I took a couple years ago kind of over-challenged most of the class. Many of us were middle-aged-ish, and the class was being taught by a recent college grad who was president of her belly dancing club. Very technical and very educational, but a little too advanced for beginners who lack the flexibility, and when you can't do something right off, it's frustrating and disappointing. I should pull out my belly dancing DVDs. Maybe look for another class.

George and I also seem to have missed the last few sessions of country line dancing that have been offered. I wish I knew where we could go outside of a class to practice, but right now, class would be the only place. Maybe we'll be better prepared scheduling-wise and money-wise the next time it rolls around.

I did get to do some dancing at the concert event I worked last month. Got a couple nice comments on my electric slide.

Still, maybe I should download some country music and refresh my memory on the line dancing steps.

Or pull out some 50s/60s music and start twisting down my waist. *nods*

Though I did have a good appointment with my endocrinologist earlier this week. I've lost a pound (which, after the Christmas holidays, is excellent), and more importantly, I lost it from my waist, which is what he wants to see. (Measurement ratio is as important as weight loss with my situation. I need to lose the weight, but I also need to lose it from the right place.) I attribute that to getting back on the treadmill for about 2 miles a day. Which I need to do today, since I've missed the past two days.

Comments

[luvwinchesters.livejournal.com]

I was never allowed to dance growing up, so I'm not good at it. But you know what? We have Just Dance 2 for the Wii....and I LOVE it! Sometimes, that's my workout. I wait 'til I'm here alone (like I said, I'm not good at dancing) and then I go to town! It's really fun! :)

Also, yay about your endocrinologist appointment!!

[feliciakw.livejournal.com]

I always find it odd when people are not "allowed" to dance. Dancing is instinctual. Give a small child a rhythm, and he or she will start bouncing in time to that rhythm. That's dancing.

I get that there are some dances that could easily . . . um . . . go further. (Someone at a wedding reception long ago--someone who'd had too much to drink--wanted to dance with me, and he turned it far more sexual than I was comfortable with. One of the groomsmen ended up cutting in and rescuing me from the guy.) But to forbid all dancing is like throwing the baby out with the bathwater.

What I find amusing is that the church I grew up in didn't . . . recognize? . . . dancing. Wedding receptions held at the church didn't allow dancing. Receptions held elsewhere did. At the women's retreat each year we had what was called "Christian aerobics"--which was actually country line dancing. Apparently, calling is "Christian aerobics" made it acceptable. Our minister danced with his wife at a wedding reception (held off-site). So, you know, dancing was allowed, it just wasn't . . . promoted?

Of course, I always point out that Jesus performed his first miracle at a wedding, a wedding at which he was a specially invited guest (he was allowed to bring his friends). Guess what. Jews dance at wedding. Ergo, my supposition is that Jesus danced.

One of our friends here was raised strictly, it sounds, and he's got a great story about dancing. He went to a college where dancing was forbidden. However, "choreography" was a necessary part of drama productions. He attended a concert at the school where some of the kids got up and danced. Someone shouted "No dancing!" or some such, and someone shouted back, "It's not dancing; it's choreography!" After which many more students got up and "choreographied." Bwah!

Sorry. Didn't mean to go off on a tangent. I love dancing. Always have.

You might be interested in reading this entry (http://feliciakw.livejournal.com/127453.html) from a few years back. In it, I talk about my love of dancing.

So yay that you're dancing! Dancing is a celebration! It's fun! It's good for you! Everybody dance! \o/

One of the selling points of the twist is its simplicity. Anyone can do it. If you get a chance to see the movie I mentioned, I highly recommend it. It's fascinating.

Endocrinology appointment! \o/ I'm so glad I found this doctor. I'd wanted an endocrinologist for years, and this doctor has been a great help to me.

So good to hear from you. I hope that things have calmed down enough for you that we'll see you 'round these parts more often.

[izhilzha.livejournal.com]

Yeah, dancing is deeply instinctual. However, I remember even as a child being told "not to move my hips so much." Hard to get past what you learn when you're 5... but I plan to take bellydancing this year, so that will go right out the window. :)