(no subject)
I had a breakthrough moment during bellydancing class tonight. We were working on figure-eights which I've never had any trouble doing, I've just always felt like it looked really awkward. I don't know if I was shifting my weight the wrong way or jogging my knees too much or (most likely) thinking about it too hard, but my figure-eights always seemed to look stiff and forced. But tonight something just clicked and all of a sudden I was on form. My movements were smooth and relaxed, my hips were doing what they were supposed to, and I--shock of shocks--actually looked graceful. Even when my instructor came around and told me "very nice!" I didn't get thrown off and lose my rhythm like I usually do when I'm singled out.
Later when we were working on Egyptian shimmies, I was in such a good mood about my body's cooperation that I couldn't resist showboating a little bit. I practice shimmies a lot (I've perfected a ferocious shimmy drill set to the guitar solo from Master of Puppets that kicks my ass every time but is definitely good training) so it was nice to be able to whip it out during class (even if it wasn't accompanied by Metallica).
Of course ten minutes later we started working on a traveling step that I was just not picking up. I wasn't falling over myself but I had definitely reverted right back to awkward stiffness. That'll be something to practice on my own time.
This is my second beginner-level bellydancing class so half the time I feel like a ringer and the other half I feel like I really must not have done anything right the first time around. It gets frustrating sometimes because I feel like I'm not seeing any progress. But today I saw some and it makes me feel like these last few months have been well spent. I'll not be dancing at Marrakesh anytime soon, but I think I'm allowed to feel a little bit proud of myself.
Later when we were working on Egyptian shimmies, I was in such a good mood about my body's cooperation that I couldn't resist showboating a little bit. I practice shimmies a lot (I've perfected a ferocious shimmy drill set to the guitar solo from Master of Puppets that kicks my ass every time but is definitely good training) so it was nice to be able to whip it out during class (even if it wasn't accompanied by Metallica).
Of course ten minutes later we started working on a traveling step that I was just not picking up. I wasn't falling over myself but I had definitely reverted right back to awkward stiffness. That'll be something to practice on my own time.
This is my second beginner-level bellydancing class so half the time I feel like a ringer and the other half I feel like I really must not have done anything right the first time around. It gets frustrating sometimes because I feel like I'm not seeing any progress. But today I saw some and it makes me feel like these last few months have been well spent. I'll not be dancing at Marrakesh anytime soon, but I think I'm allowed to feel a little bit proud of myself.