KEEP ON MOVING (DON’T STOP NO!!)

Today the studio is bursting with energy. Both Callie and Masha are in the studio being fabulous and I am drawing from their different dance styles as I try to figure out who my character is. I start to rehearse my choreography and even though Antonio is focused elsewhere he somehow can see what I’m doing and occasionally gives corrections. (How does he do that?!!)

Today’s Life lesson came before the start of class- it was meant to be a dance instruction but I was also seeing a life application. Don’t go through the motions, make every moment count- every moment builds on the other and you want to build towards something good. He also said since I am connected to him as a dance partner what I do affects him and likewise. That statement made me think of how we are all connected to each other, and how we are not designed to be islands to ourselves, what we do affects those around us we are connected to for better or worse.

We begin class warming up with Cha- Cha, Rumba and Swing. Today Antonio wants me to focus on slowing down and perfecting my movements so we are doing mostly basic steps. I am starting to get anxious as I am trying to remember posture, moving my arms, to be light on my feet and to do it all with attitude.

We move on to choreography and Antonio tells me he knows I know the choreography now it is time to tighten things up. He suggests when I rehearse to take smaller parts and clean up the movement. I get a bonus life lesson when I was stumbling through a kick ball change rock step movement. If you mess up keep going and look for the next opportunity. We try the step again and I get it! Finally, for the first time I got those last few counts perfect!! It felt good to finally master these moves and Antonio congratulates me.

For a Celebration Dance we do a Cha-Cha- I am really starting to love Cha-Cha!! I am too happy as this was a great class. I am thinking of the song “Keep on Moving” by Soul to Soul, but I won’t just be moving for the sake of moving, but I will fully execute each movement with strength and grace.

By: Kamaria George (04/05/2016)