Shake What Your Mama Gave You
I walked confidently into that studio, though I had little idea what to expect. Sure, I’d never taken a formal dance class in my life, but everyone told me that didn’t matter, you’ll catch on easily. Plus, you’re just supposed to have fun. I knew no one there, so I was determined to let it all hang out and do just that.
I’ve spent my life surrounded by dancers. My best friend since neon stretch pants were de rigueur (the first time around) took ballet everyday after school, and through the years I attended her performances and eventually befriended other dancers as well. I know what a pas de deux is and I can distinguish between first and second positions, among others. I can critique a dancer’s form, grace and execution with a sharpness born of familiarity with the craft.
Despite this saturation in the dance world I escaped the dancing bug. Awkward and painfully self-conscious, I preferred physical activities that required merely strength, speed and accuracy – you know, sports that occasionally called for physical violence. My gawky legs didn’t matter so much when I could plow down everyone in my path to score a goal on the soccer field.
Plus, dance was beautiful, and I was not. At least, that’s what I believed.
It had only been recently that I’d toyed around with the idea of trying out dance. Frustrated with my increasing joint pain and softening midsection, I knew I needed to develop some serious muscle tone if I was going to make it another year at my office job without injury from over-sitting. With my advancing age, contact sports were out of the question. I had been taking yoga, but that didn’t keep up my heart rate enough to qualify as a legitimate workout. Maybe I was not quite ready for the adult ballet class, but Zumba? Grace wasn’t so much a requirement as the ability to shake what your mama gave you, and I had plenty that could be shaken, believe me.
I towered above the dainty instructor like a Herculean version of a Rubens model, all obscene curves and pliant buoyancy that I soon discovered would not help in this class. As she switched on the catchy, upbeat music and started gyrating in rhythm to the drums, I tried to keep up with her fast-paced, sharp moves, but my center of gravity seemed to be a tad off. Where her wiry muscles allowed her hips to thrust in just the perfect side to side motion, my fleshiness threw me off-balance.
Trying desperately to imitate the instructor without falling over, I simultaneously had the problem of trying to keep my glasses from flying off, too. After considering chucking them to the side as they slipped down my now slick-with-sweat nose, I decided that sight was mandatory to even attempt keeping up with the tiny dervish up front. Shove. Turn. Stumble. Thrust left hip. Kick. Repeat.
Then there was the problem of my shoes: New Balance running shoes, meant for – you guessed it – running. The heavy tread grounded me like an ostrich attempting to take flight, and every time I tried to kick my feet or make quick half-steps, I found myself stuck to the floor. Stuck to the floor is not a sensation one expects to feel while dancing.
Never having felt more awkward, graceless or gigantic in my life, for a moment or two I felt the familiar dejection and failure welling up in the form of tears. Instead of wallowing and skulking out the back though, with effort I remembered my commitment to self-care and being kind to myself. I mentally removed my head from my insecurities and consciously tried to release my self-loathing. This was supposed to be enjoyable! I was paying eight bucks for this class! It was going to be fun, dammit!
So I smiled. I laughed when I kept stepping out of time to the drum beat. I shook what my mama gave me.
I had fun.
When the class was finally over, I noticed I had never felt more capable, strong and alive in my body. Maybe I’m not graceful yet. Okay, I’m definitely not graceful yet.
But I certainly felt beautiful. That alone is reason enough to keep dancing.
67 Comments
Mayor Gia
Good for you! I can’t dance, and I’m waaaay too self conscious to go to a class.
Natalie the Singingfool
The funny thing is, I didn’t even think about it until I was in the trenches…
Winopants
You are much braver than I am!! I’m horribly self-conscious in classes, even in things like spinning. It’s so lame. Good for you for sticking with it and giving it a real shot.
I’ve heard that about the shoe thing, I think you have to get something much less structured that lets your feet feel the ground.
Natalie the Singingfool
I guess I’m officially at the point in my life where being self-conscious has interfered too much with what I want to do; the “screw it” stage, I suppose you’d call it. Operation Rad Bod has done wonders for my self-esteem, even if I’m not all the way there yet.
JestheMess
Well done! I love Zumba. It helps that our class laughs a lot, because we all feel like fairy elephants. It is supposed to be fun and joyful, not a chore, so just go with it, like you did. It eventually gets easier, and soon you will think “How was that ever a hard move? I do that while I am cooking!”
You’re probably right about your shoes though. 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
I think the laughter was key in changing my attitude. I’m relieved to know it will get easier!
Ericamos
You brave, brave soul. I’ve heard such great things about Zumba, but I’m terrified for all the reasons you listed. That’s great that you overcame them and just had fun! Enjoy! And maybe show up in some black ballet shoes next time? 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
Oh Erica, it’s so much fun! And yes, new shoes are on the horizon for me. 😉
christie
OH, I love dance and everything about it. I was a huge ballet head and my friends listened to me drone on and on about how much I loved it and what I was dancing and blah blah blah. They were good friends like you. I hope they are dancing these days just like you. Excellent post.
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! It’s nice to meet another dancer.
Janice
I’m too wrapped in my own crap to go to any kind of class, let alone one that would require my non-athletic tendencies to be viewed by all. You are awesome!
Natalie the Singingfool
Haha, thanks. It was harder than I thought…
Ken
This may sound a bit odd, but I looked into a zumba class earlier this winter. If there had been one other guy in the class, I probably would have joined. As it was, I was just too embarrassed to stumble in, fresh off the street and give this a go, little alone that it would have been in a class full of women.
I admire anyone with the courage to get up and dance. Good for you! 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
You should’ve gone for it! In about every class I go to, there’s always one or two guys. Heck, guys gotta keep fit, too!
Lindsey
I love this post! So well written, so intriguing. Nice job.
I have no rhythm AND feel like I’d break something (attached to my body or otherwise) if I attempted any of these new classes at the gym. You’re courageous and amazing! I’m too embarrassed to shake it…I need a drink for that.
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you Lindz! It was apparent that I too have no rhythm, although I thought otherwise…I think I need to train my muscles to do what I ask them.
Bee
I’m way too chicken to take any sort of dance class or group fitness class. I have absolutely no coordination. I’m so glad you let yourself have fun!
Natalie the Singingfool
It WAS fun! And I had less coordination than I thought, lol.
Jamie@SouthMainMuse
I feel your pain. And I completely get the problem with the shoes sticking. But like you the older I get — I just laugh and keep plowing ahead. I no longer freak out if I’m not perfect at something the first time. Glad you joined in and I bet you’ll get to love it.
Natalie the Singingfool
Isn’t it freeing being at that point? I am loving that I am committed to just enjoying life, and not letting how I look interfere with that anymore!
IASoupMama
I want to take a zumba class in the worst way! But our finances cannot support it right now, grr…
I actually teach tap dance and my favorite class is my adult class because they all want to be there in a way the kids don’t. We have a blast in that class!
Natalie the Singingfool
You teach tap?? That’s amazing! You can’t barter for a class exchange?
And that’s how I felt about teaching piano to adults – they all loved it, while the children were only there because their parents were making them.
Samantha Brinn Merel
I’ve been considering a dance class as cross training for running. I think this post made my decision for me. I’m in.
Natalie the Singingfool
Yay! It was so much fun! And I used to be a runner too, so I know it would be a useful conditioning tool.
gem
I am such a horrible dancer that I did not even dance at my wedding! I am also a failure at any class, club, group, get together….I am a total drop out. So I commend you for having what I don’t!
Natalie the Singingfool
Aw, I bet you aren’t as bad as I was…;)
Chris Plumb
After watching Silver Linings Playbook (which is great BTW), there is a huge dance scene that is fairly steamy & funny, and afterwards I looked at my wife and said, “maybe we should take some dance classes together…” She looked back at me, introspectively, and…we both burst out laughing. My wife has no rhythm, and I have no desire to wear a codpiece (I don’t think it’s mandatory for all dances, but I commit to the whole look when I jump into something).
Dance is one of those art-forms I look at from a distance and say, “wow, that’s beautiful…I’m glad I didn’t pay anything to see that, though.”
Natalie the Singingfool
A codpiece, eh? How very Shakespearean. And my husband will never take a dance class with me because he’s convinced he’s the worst dancer ever – obviously, he didn’t see me hopping around that dance floor.
Thanks for the movie recommendation! It’s on my to-see list.
Chris Plumb
Yeah, I was dragged to Silver Linings by my wife, and I wasn’t happy, but “this was supposed to be enjoyable! I was paying eight bucks for this {movie}! It was going to be fun, dammit!” –If I might quote someone.
I really had no reason to re-reply other than to get you nearer 30 comments, which seems pretty cool.
Natalie the Singingfool
Haha, I’m glad you did – I’ve never been quoted before! ;P
Jared Karol
That does sound like a lot of fun. Sometimes I wish that I wanted to dance more than I do. I play in a reggae band, so I get people dancing w/ my music. Does that count? 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
Absolutely! In my book, anyway. 😉
Leslie Harris
This was such an enjoyable read! I felt like I was right there with you. And I’m still chuckling over your worry about “injury from over-sitting.” I’m so glad your staying with it, it sounds like fun.
Natalie the Singingfool
Haha, thanks! And I’m not kidding about that injury – it’s call backache and stiff muscles that are much more easily injured. Someone should’ve warned me about the hazards of office life!
My Half Assed Life
Good for you on letting go of the self conscious and enjoying yourself. I envy that, it’s a skill I’ve never mastered.
Natalie the Singingfool
It’s taken MANY years of work, believe me!
Ginny Marie
The last dance class I took was with my husband before we got married. We had so much fun! I didn’t realize Zumba was so much like dance. Good for you for sticking with it!
Natalie the Singingfool
Thanks! Fun enough to make it worth it!
Dana
As a fallen ballerina, I have avoided zumba out of absolute fear and terror that I would stress over the movement and body placement, and that I would look stiff and… well, ballerina-like rather than just enjoying it and getting out of it what I should. Maybe I should re-think that!
Natalie the Singingfool
Absolutely! If I, queen of no rhythm, can do it, then a ballerina DEFINITELY can do it!
S.J. Faerlind
I used to belong to a gym and it was unbelievably boooring! Now I take a dance class for fun and exercise. In spite of the fact that I am neither graceful or athletic, I love it anyway. Have fun! 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
Yes!! Team “have fun despite how silly you may look!” 🙂 I agree, gym is too boring!
Sarcasm Goddess
Woo hoo! Good for you! I’ve always wanted to take a dance class but I’m too worried that I’ll look like a giant idiot.
Natalie the Singingfool
Yea, me too. But it was totally worth it!
SarcasticNinja
Lacking the funds for Zumba, I loaded up some Youtube dance workout videos. I tried very hard not to grit my teeth at the over-perky, nubile young “instructor” writhing around seductively while I imitated like a robot walrus stiffly flopping around. It’s good that you manage to focus on the fun factor!
Natalie the Singingfool
Yea, I can’t really afford it either, but my local studio was offering a free course and I thought I’d try it and see if it would be worth buying the DVDs.
And had I focused on the instructor, I’d have been feeling the same way, but I’m learning (slowly) to tune that ridiculousness out! ;P
Irene Barnett
Could you please be sure to videotape your next class please? I think we all just need a visual here!
Also, my friend, I nominated you for a Liebster cuz’ you are my girl crush! Go see what all the hooplah is on my site when you get a chance.
Natalie the Singingfool
Really? Video? I don’t know if I’m THAT secure with myself…the key for abandoning self-doubt in this case was the fact that I knew NO ONE. 😉
Thank you for the award! An award from MY girl crush? Made my day!! I don’t know if I should participate, since I’ve already won that one? Do you think that’s conceited of me? Maybe I’ll just answer the questions, because they DO look fun…
Stacie
Love this post! And I love the mantra to be kind to yourself and enjoy the class! I quit ballet after one round when I was little b/c I was made that all we were doing was pointing and flexing and occasionally plie-ing and I wanted to be on point (haha). I didn’t get the graceful gene.
Natalie the Singingfool
Thank you! I certainly didn’t get that graceful gene either!
Dilovely
Yay! So glad you had fun, and gave yourself that talking-to. I am a deep believer in the biological need to shake what your mama gave you, in some form or other.
Kathy P in Pittsburgh
I watch the Zumba class at my gym occasionally. One day, I might try to join them, but I’m awful at picking up steps. I got turfed out of ballet and tap classes as a child because I’m so lousy at learning routines. I guess I could just hop around when I get lost…
Good for you for Zumba-ing!
Natalie the Singingfool
Lol, I definitely did my fair share of “hopping around!” 😉
Michelle Longo
I always wanted to be a dancer but I have the grace of an elephant. Good for you for getting out there and having fun!
Natalie the Singingfool
Yep, that sums up my grace level quotient I discovered. Man was it fun, though!
Imelda Evans
Oh good on you for sticking it out and I’m so glad you had fun! Keep shaking, baby, shake it like you mean it!
Natalie the Singingfool
Woohoo! Will do!
Punky Coletta
Good for you, that is so cool. Now I kind-a want to try something like that.
Natalie the Singingfool
Oh, do it! It was so much fun!
TriGirl
Yay!! I’ve taken zumba. It’s tough and a sweat fest! But totally fun if you don’t worry about how many pas-de-stumbles you do 🙂
Natalie the Singingfool
Yes. In fact, I may call myself the MASTER of the pas-de-stumble.
Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom
I took some dance classes in college for my Theater major and I loved it! Always wanted to take tap. I need to get back to doing something to get my butt moving. 😉
Terrific post and congratulations!!
Natalie the Singingfool
Wait, you were a theater major? That is MAJORLY cool!
Thank you!
Linda Roy
I have never tried Zumba and I’ve wanted to. They offer it at the local gym. It’s the start of a new year and I think I should give it a try. It sounds fun and I’ve heard great things about it!
Linda Roy recently posted…I Don’t Like Mondays #50 – Free Wheelin’
Kath Galasso (@KatsTheory)
yay you.
Natalie DeYoung
🙂
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