DancinHeart

Time To Get Serious! or "Follow If You Can"

2011-11-30T21:45:00.000-08:00

Wow! I could not imagine what might be next. LM and the studio owners began talking about competitions. Competitions? What, me? No way! I knew how nervous I had been just for that little studio showcase. There was no way I could get up and dance in front of more than the thirty students and family member I knew so well. Besides, I had only been dancing about two and half months. I just put it out of my mind completely.

LM also began telling me what I needed to do was go to some of the local ballroom dances and dance with other men. He explained that the more men I danced with, the better dancer I would become. I knew that dancing with the other instructors and male students (which existed of about three gentlemen who were anywhere from 70 to 95) was scary enough. I was learning real fast that no two men are alike in their leads.

Leads can range from the lightest touch all the way down to being so rough you actually get bruised. Some men were too light with their lead and you had to constantly focus on what they were trying to lead to insure your feet stayed one step out of the way of their feet, and that you went home with all of your toes in tact! Some men were too rough (or hard) with their lead. There is nothing fun about being pushed and shoved and forced to go in the right direction. Luckily, some men do have a great lead! They are so easy I found myself following them through steps completely unknown to me. Wow, so much to learn!

Let me continue with leads. Unfortunately, any woman who gets out and dances will at some point come across any and all types of leads. There prior three are easier to deal with than the remainder. I feel it is my duty as a woman dancer to give fair warning! Gentlemen, if this in any way "steps on your toes" please do not be offended. Rather take it as an incentive to take a few more lessons with an instructor that can help you. Some gentlemen have what I will call a non-existent lead. Some of these men, but not all, know a multitude of dance steps. Unfortunately, they were not taught how to properly lead those steps. The best you can do is stumble or "follow" your way until the end of the song. At that time, kindly thank the gentlemen for the dance, and commit their face to memory as one not to dance with. The next type may sometimes be a bit easier to follow, or perhaps not. These men do not have any sense of rhythm, at all! I have actually had some men try doing a waltz to a song that is in no way a waltz. Do not panic yet, simply figure out what rhythm they are performing with their feet, and do your best to follow! You may also want to add this one to your "Do Not Dance With" list.

You will definitely find many combinations and extremes of all of these different lead types. I will say, however, that by taking the time to work your way through each and every one, time after time, you will become a better dancer. I can attest to that. At least, I believe that is one of the things that had allowed me to excel at dance. It is not always an easy task, nor is it always fun. But heck, hang in there. You never know where it might take you, or who you might meet by doing so.

So, yes, that was my next step...the step in to the Dance Community. But that is the beginning of some fascinating tales, to be continued. So, hoping you "Follow If You Can!" Until next time, let your feet dance to the tune in your heart!

Heart, Soul and Feet!

2011-11-19T12:39:00.000-08:00

You ask, "Did I stop with introductory lessons?" The answer is obvious, I was hooked; Heart, Soul and Feet! I paid for another 10 lessons, thinking I could learn what I needed, and be one my way.

Luckily, the studio offered a free lesson for every new student you could bring in and sign up for their own introductory package. Between my ability to sell anything I believe in, and my newfound love of dance, I think I acquired about 20 free lessons. I was now at a point that I could not get enough of dance. My worst day that ended with dancing was exponentially greater than my best day that did not end with dancing. I never left the studio that my face and heart were exploding with pure bliss.

I had gone from wearing boots and blue jeans to lessons, to wearing my first pair of dance shoes. They were only cheap character shoes, but I cherished them. I soon learned, smooth leather soles did not allow me to "cut a rug" the way I needed. I soon gave my shoes a "homemade suede sole." Wow, where that creativity came in, I had not a clue.

As you might guess, blue jeans soon became a piece of clothing not fit to dance in. I began going to thrift shops to find inexpensive dresses to wear to classes and the studio parties. Dresses, me, what was going on? Everyone in the studio always commented on my outfits. Not only was I not embarrassed at where I was buying my dance clothing, I shared the information openly. I figured anyone who wanted to snub me for my $4.00 and $6.00 dance outfits was welcome to do so. I knew I looked as good in mine as they looked in their $40.00 and $60.00 dance outfits. Besides, I much preferred saving my money for dance lessons.

I was soon nearing the end of my 10 lessons, and all the freebies I had earned. At this point, I had only been dancing for about two months. The studio knew what they were doing. They asked me to perform a small showcase for one of our parties. I was overwhelmed that anyone thought me good enough to perform. LM and I decided upon a Tango. I worked so hard to get the choreography and what very little posturing and technique down to a tee.

The night of the performance came, and boy was I nervous. Performing was not in my nature. But perform I did! Smiling the whole way, ever so proud of what I was learning and ever so anxious to make LM proud. I could not express my gratitude for the encouragement he constantly gave. I was so impressed with myself! So what next? You guessed it, I signed a new contract for 65 lessons! There was no way I stopping now.

My life was changed, even more than I could guess at that time. I was still passionate about the same things in my life that I had always been passionate about. But this newfound love and passion for dance transcended anything I had ever felt. Where once was a small window box garden of beauty and creativity, there now existed an ever expanding, acre upon acre of growth! How big could this get? How abundant could it become? I don't think I could have imagined!

Well, I hope you enjoy my story! I enjoy sharing dance and the happiness it gives me. Please feel free to share with me. Until next time, Dance to your heart's content!

Beginning: "Where It Began" or "Who I Am"

2011-11-13T09:11:00.000-08:00

Welcome and wonderful wishes! I want to share my passion. By sharing, I will not only enable others to feel the passion and learn, but will also enable myself to feel others passions and learn. I have only been dancing for two years, but wish it was 32 years. Dance has changed my life, and the way I look at life. Dance has set me free of many insecurities I allowed others to "push" upon me through the years, and opened my world. Dance has inspired creativity in my life, and renewed "passion" as my way of life.

Let me preface here, I knew C&W 2-step and waltz. What "Texas cowgirl" does not! But only what I picked up from friends and a 6-week course back in 2001. I knew little more than basic steps. If I danced with a good lead, I could follow, and possibly stumble through a few turns and twirls. I had even taught basic steps at the Mineral Wells country club back in the 70's. I charged $5.00 a person for a 30-minute lesson for extra spending money while attending college. But enough of the old past.

My sister was/is the girlie girl. Her clothing, hair and make-up always perfect. There was nothing artsy and creative that was beyond her. Me, not so much. I have always been the competitive tomboy, never the girlie girl. I was never comfortable in a dress, nor really never worried about how I looked. I could make bows, as long as they were only the bow on a tennis shoe!

I chanced upon dance after having my heart broken, once again, at the age of 50. He wanted to learn to C&W, but would not. Like so many people, his fear of not being good enough kept him from following what could have been his passion. He always accused me of making him feel and look inadequate because I was so much better at the "manly" things than he was. I knew his feeling hinged solely upon what he thought of himself and allowed himself to feel. Making someone to feel inadequate or inferior is quite the opposite of my life endeavors. So two days after he broke off our relationship, I entered a dance studio.

My goal was to take a few introductory lessons in C&W two-step and waltz, brush up a bit on my seemingly minor dance skills and be on my way. I was so very lucky that there was no instructor that taught C&W in this particular studio. Like so many studios, they had their own agenda to attempt to hook me.

For my introductory package, they paired me with a wonderful young instructor whom I will only refer to as LM. He was only 21, a charming, 6'5" "kid." LM had only been an instructor for one year and still very "green" in his career. He was told I use to be a dance instructor, and that he had his work cut out for him. Such a TALL TALE! It was not enough that we had such a large age difference. I was his first student over the age of 18! Of all this, I was totally unaware. I do not know who was more intimidated by who. Thankfully, those intimidations did not last long at all.

Thus began a new relationship; that of lifelong friends and instructor/student. While LM was teaching me dance, as was his profession, he would also teach me a renewed and youthful outlook on life, as was his age and gift. Unknowingly, I would be teaching life lessons, as was my age and gift. My method of teaching you ask? Simply by diving in to my newfound love and passion for dance, by putting past hurts behind me, becoming myself once again, being honest and open and sharing; sharing who I was, where I have been, what I have learned, and my dreams of where I now knew I wanted go in the remainder of my life.

Well, this is the start. I hope you stay connected! To learn more about me, about life, and most important, DANCE, and how it is all connected!