You may or may not know that I have recently taken up dancing. It actually was first brought to my attention by Angela, who told me about this…mmm, over a year ago. Then more recently by Jessica. As fate would have it, I had the time and took it on myself as a personal challenge..one created as part of my work goal (Yes, I work for a pretty kick-awesome place…but that’s another story!) I am going to take a dance class.
Every Thursday now, for the past few months, I join other women and men and take an Adult Contemporary Dance class at Studio at Ryans American Dance in San Luis Obispo. When I first joined it was more for the workout…and boy did we get worked! I love the fact that I was a sweaty mess and had to take a shower again by the time I got home, but it is so well worth it!
What’s even more amazing is the community of people I get to be part of every Thursday night. Serendipity, karma, laws of the universe…call it what you want…but this group was brought together for a reason…and whatever reason we each hold in our hearts, we treasure as sacred. No judgement…just a love to move! AndI brought my friend Anne into it to!
Tonight’s class was an exceptionally amazing one. Our teacher, Josh, recently had a loved one pass away. Jessica and Angela went in to action and via social media, we were able to come together to provide him a care package for his trip this weekend. You have to understand , Josh is simply a loving, kind, genuine, soul who loves to teach. I feel very fortunate to be his “student,” but really he treats us more as his friends…which I am happy to say…we are! He often says how he looks forward to our class each week because of how we are really so eager to learn!
This week he created dance numbers for most of his classes as a tribute to his Nanna. We did our usual warm up, but it seemed tonight we were all in sync and I felt myself breathing harder and pushing my warm up limits. Then we learned this beautiful routine…full of flow and ability to take to it and run with it kind of feel……By the end of our class we were feeling elated and connected. Julia asked to take video of the routine…I love her for this! She does this for all the routines and then drop boxes them to us to study and use. Normally we would all also join, but we all just wanted to see Josh….see him perform and let go. He had the whole hanger floor to himself…and he flew! In those few moments of watching him….we were moved with such emotion to tears. Now most of you know me and I cry at just about everything! But I realized I have never been moved to tears through the sole act of movement and dance. Watching him dance…with such passion, care, and freedom….was amazing to see. I was transported…as if to a tribute…which it was, that was breathtaking and full of grace, humility and love. We all felt it, as did he and we thanked each other for the experience.
It’s one of those experiences in life that you can’t quite explain to it’s full vivid glory (I tried, but still…my words don’t do it justice)! We all realized and take to heart that what we have is something simple but something so special….every Thursday night, we come together to stretch, to learn….and to fly. I am so very grateful for all the people here and no doubt more to come……..for those who will soon be joining…you are so lucky! To those of us already there…..so are we! Thanks for this.
As I was driving home tonight…I was thinking of the dance… I had to stop to take pictures of the sky as I always look to the sky to talk to those who forever remain in my thoughts. Look up and know they are alway there for you. Then do something specials for yourself…cook something new, dive into a good book, take a dance class…..and you to will learn and yearn to fly…and you never know…just may find a community of kindred spirits too! Kara, Cathie, Angela, Jessica, Julia, Anne, Josh…..and more….Thank you!
(Little dark spec in the sky above and to the right of the crescent moon was a balloon…a sweet sign if you ask me!)
Om She Said 