Dancing with the stars

When life gets too stressful, you tend to want to curl up in a ball and just do nothing. You become tired, restless and demotivated. It's especially easy to just binge on junk in front of the TV when the weather is so dreadful outside. I'm only 27 years old but my body already feels aged. My joints and muscles often ache from misuse and my hands ache probably from carpel tunnel. It's easy to complain and convince yourself to just sit in bed but all you need is just that one time to do some activity and the cycle is almost always immediately broken. I often forget how wonderful dance is. I forget what it does to my body and soul. It makes me euphoric and not only brightens me up while I'm dancing but the entire week later I still am able to feed off that good feeling. It brings people together and allows a positive outlet for frustration. For me, it's probably one of my favorite stress relievers and funny enough I'm talking about fast dance. I've tried yoga and Pilates and they were so boring. For me to feel good I need to sweat and feel pain. I know it sounds crazy but without it I have nothing to feel proud about. Even if I struggle at least at the end I can tell myself "Yes! I did it! I got through it and it can only get easier from now on!" I love a challenge, I love trying new things and I love to learn. Those are 3 very honest truths about me. Even if I fail at least I can say I had the experience of something new and I learned something from it.
I love all forms of dance but there are some that I am better at than others. The types of dance I prefer to do are:

 

Dancehall (reggae)

 

Hip Hop (but I can't break dance unfortunately, that's too athletic for me)

 

Latin dance (I've tried salsa, samba and tango and I love all 3)

 

African Dance

The dance that I like to do but prefer to watch because I suck so much at, would be:

 

Ballet

 

Contemporary (Modern)

 

I like belly dance as well but it's so limited in terms of what you can choreograph that I tend to stay away from it. I like fusions of dance as well. Check out Saba, she's a Toronto dancer and dance instructor who teaches belly dance fusion classes. Her style of dance is pretty interesting and unique: 

If you're interested in taking classes, I can tell you that I've taken a few classes at a few different locations and I really like the classes that the members of AIM (Artists in Motion) teach at The Joy of Dance Studio. They are great instructors and their choreo is always so full of life. If you are interested in taking classes with them you can sign up at Joy of Dance Here: Click Here for Adult Jump In Classes.If you want to learn more about workshops and other AIM related activities they also have a facebook page here: Click Here for AIM's Facebook Page

I can't help but thank God for the gift of dance and allowing me the opportunity to have it and use it. I know I will dance my whole life and beyond until one day I'll be in Heaven dancing with the stars :)

Love y'all

Maureen