As I entered Lotus for the second workshop, I was looking forward to seeing new and returning faces.
Monika returned for her second round and a new face, Christine, a friend of Pratibha's, came as well. (Christine is a professional ballroom dancer and also helped with the beginning choreography. Like Pratibha, she is very talented. Frankly, I am jealous ! )
With the push of the button to play Osmyo, class began and in unison we all began warming up our limbs. This unison quickly ended with the warm-up. As we began the simple and relaxing movements that gradually leads to the demanding steps that follow, as a class we became confused and lost it. That was when our faithful leader stepped in to guide us how to correctly do both the steps and hand gestures.
After mastering the first part of the routine again (and in record time) Pratibha introduced the second part of RELEASE. It was quick and intense with a graceful ending. In this second part, she brought back the jump. And my self-doubt returned.
I have never liked jumping and prefer to stay on the ground as much as possible. But its moments like these that one must overcome their fears in order for their life to make progress and become confident in themselves. "It's now or never," I thought. And off I went.
Several trials later and a near collision with the wall, I was successfully leaping in the air and (almost) finishing RELEASE's first routine on time. The other girls were doing just as well.
Although I was beginning to understand and complete the steps, the back of my mind reminded me that my achievement was only partial. My hand gestures really need a lot of work. Their formations are ment to release stress and add feminity and grace to the dance. (Mine looked like claws, ready for attack) I was finishing the routine, but my body and mind continued to be stiff and clumsy. I know that once I can perform RELEASE's movements and hand gestures in unison, only then will I be able to truly experience the full benefits of the program.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Saturday, September 19, 2009
The Big Day
After our pre-launch, I was feeling prett-y confident about my dance moves, hence, my swagger down the street.
Nearly a month had gone by, and I was very excited for RELEASE's debut. It was the night we had been working so hard to make happen. I had just been to an amazing classical Indian dance performance by Charishnu in Toronto, so my belief in this program was at an even higher level.
I arrive at Lotus Music & Dance and I met with Pratibha. We both were looking forward to meeting RELEASE's first students. There were a total of three, but one made clear that she had a personal training session at 8:30, so she may be leaving early.
As we entered the studio, everyone was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect. I did not know what to expect. But once Pratibha put on the music, my unease calmed with the familiar sounds of Buddha Bar's Osmyo.
Pratbiha had kept the same opening to the class, swaying one's hands and body to the soft sound. She changed the fancy footwork to something else, something a little more manageable for 'non-dancers.' By the end of RELEASE's slotted time, the class was beginning to have the first half of the program's sequence memorized. And we looked good.
Time flew and before I knew it, it was 8:15 pm. The girl with the personal traner, exclaimed, "I need to go BUT I am definitely coming back next week!" I thought, "Yes! RELEASE has a patron!"
Within minutes, the class ended, and we were all glowing and smiling from our hour's work.
As we gathered our things to leave, literature about the program's benefits was distributed. The girls wished us a good evening and said we would see them next week.
As these farewells confirmed returning customers, Pratibha and I walked down the street, discussing our excitement about the first class as well as what else needs to be done for RELEASE's larger goals.
Even though the latter holds a big task, the success from the workshop's debut gives me enough confidence to know that RELEASE can and will deliver.
Nearly a month had gone by, and I was very excited for RELEASE's debut. It was the night we had been working so hard to make happen. I had just been to an amazing classical Indian dance performance by Charishnu in Toronto, so my belief in this program was at an even higher level.
I arrive at Lotus Music & Dance and I met with Pratibha. We both were looking forward to meeting RELEASE's first students. There were a total of three, but one made clear that she had a personal training session at 8:30, so she may be leaving early.
As we entered the studio, everyone was a bit nervous, not knowing what to expect. I did not know what to expect. But once Pratibha put on the music, my unease calmed with the familiar sounds of Buddha Bar's Osmyo.
Pratbiha had kept the same opening to the class, swaying one's hands and body to the soft sound. She changed the fancy footwork to something else, something a little more manageable for 'non-dancers.' By the end of RELEASE's slotted time, the class was beginning to have the first half of the program's sequence memorized. And we looked good.
Time flew and before I knew it, it was 8:15 pm. The girl with the personal traner, exclaimed, "I need to go BUT I am definitely coming back next week!" I thought, "Yes! RELEASE has a patron!"
Within minutes, the class ended, and we were all glowing and smiling from our hour's work.
As we gathered our things to leave, literature about the program's benefits was distributed. The girls wished us a good evening and said we would see them next week.
As these farewells confirmed returning customers, Pratibha and I walked down the street, discussing our excitement about the first class as well as what else needs to be done for RELEASE's larger goals.
Even though the latter holds a big task, the success from the workshop's debut gives me enough confidence to know that RELEASE can and will deliver.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Step-By-Step
RELEASE finally came together last Saturday at Lotus Dance Studio. With six girls in attendance, the preview session began with Pratibha revealing RELEASE’s first routine. It was a routine spiced with the elegant sways, footwork and dramatic leaps of classical Indian dance.
After seeing Pratibha perform this dance with the greatest of ease, my eyes and jaws were wide open, exposing my panicking mind that was exclaiming: “She wants ME to do THAT?! Is she crazy?!”
Soon after, my anxious thoughts were followed by “Ok, calm down, Marie. The routine was feminine, cool, and inspiring. (Pause.) Heyyyy, I want to learn it too!”
And so I began nervous but ready to learn step-by-step. The beginning was easy and soothing, clearing my thoughts and preparing me to be concentrated for the footwork ahead. After several failed attempts to get the beats to make sense, they finally clicked and I thought“I am actually doing classical Indian dance. This is awesome!” The next part was the leap – the group practiced this several times before connecting it with rest of the routine. I was close to getting it. Nevertheless, the jumping was fun, and truly allowed me to be in control of the moment.
As the session concluded, I reflected upon my initial disbelief that I could not do what Pratibha proposed us six girls in beginning. Yet I had disproven myself and had completed RELEASE’s first routine. The accomplishment left me excited and dancing my way down the street.
- - Marie
Thursday, July 30, 2009
My First Dance...Class
My sister is a dancer. I have friends who are dancers. I am by no means a dancer in the formal and graceful sense. (Yes, I love to dance but there is no 'method' or thought to my movment.)
So, when I met with Pratbiha and Christine for RELEASE's first dance practice, I was very excited to learn the similarities and differences between classical Indian and ballroom dance.
We began our session deciding upon the song: "Osmyo" by Buddha Bar. As RELEASE's first track, "Osmyo" is the right one; the song had soothing beats, calming the acccumulated thoughts and worries from my day to a silent lull.
With "Osmyo" playing in the background, RELEASE debuted its first dance. On the small (and makeshift) dancefloor, Pratibha and Christine began interpretting and collaborating the song to their known techniques. The resulting fusion was so graceful, fluid, feminine, and energetic. I wanted to get off my 'observing chair' and dance too!
So, when I met with Pratbiha and Christine for RELEASE's first dance practice, I was very excited to learn the similarities and differences between classical Indian and ballroom dance.
We began our session deciding upon the song: "Osmyo" by Buddha Bar. As RELEASE's first track, "Osmyo" is the right one; the song had soothing beats, calming the acccumulated thoughts and worries from my day to a silent lull.
With "Osmyo" playing in the background, RELEASE debuted its first dance. On the small (and makeshift) dancefloor, Pratibha and Christine began interpretting and collaborating the song to their known techniques. The resulting fusion was so graceful, fluid, feminine, and energetic. I wanted to get off my 'observing chair' and dance too!
Eventually the session concluded, and I left with an aura that gave me the energy which encourged me to walk home (when I usually would have hopped in a cab.) It felt good.
- Marie
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