Hip Hop, Hip Drop

Fabulous night.

I have officially started belly dancing lessons on a whim. They are every Tuesday night for six weeks, and only six bucks a class...and it is something that I can do with my mentee. Anyway, as I was saying, it was fantabulous. I felt so empowered (girl power, woot), fit, and not to mention sexy! What a great way to stop my psychotic internet use, and actually get out and meet people.

I mean, I definitely purchased the "hip hop, hip drop" workout DVD years ago to learn the basics before I actually embarked on a class with real people. (Clearly, I am not the type that enjoys group workouts for the hell of it...I am too competitive for that.) Seriously, I have been talking about doing a real class for a good four years. Actually, I take it back, I know the exact reason why I didn't...me being overweight...I just can't be sexy when my stomach looks like a melting ice cream cone.

Anyway, I definitely turned into the person that takes themselves way too seriously in the class. I immediately located the one student that looked authentic and knew what she was doing, and sparked a silent hip roll competition. I mean seriously, she wore the bells and only had a sports bra on in addition to swinging around her long, black curls and always doing extra moves in the mirror. (I seriously sound like an ultra-hater right now, LOL). I mean, I am a self professed dancer and I am Black.

Sadly, I soon forgot about my mentee, and moved to the front of the packed class to grab some mirror space right by the instructor. Unlike everyone else who laughed off the instructors constructive criticism, I waited specifically for the silent nod of approval and awe at how quickly I learned the new move. But when she criticized me there was no laughing, no smile, just a fierce attempt at correction to gain the approving nod. (Man, if I didn't know myself before, it was completely clear after tonight.) As a matter of fact, I think I childishly and subconsciously distanced myself from my mentee because she was struggling so much and wearing jeans.

Anyway, tonight was a 98% success. I definitely could not get the "Lotus Hands" move, and I was pissed (my cries of defeat and desperation were very audible over the "tribal music" that our instructor liked to refer to). I mean, it was THEE simplest move. Move my damn hands in the figure eight motion above my head, period. But I was incapable. I looked like I was trying to untie a knot above my head. Definitely not the graceful move I was going for. I suppose I wasn't the only person struggling, but it seemed like it. So the instructor moved on and told "those of us" who were having trouble to practice it off youtube.

Speaking of body comfort, there was a wide range of female form in that room (and someone keep childishly letting SBD's, thinking they wouldn't be found out since there were like 30 people in a dorm sized room). I mean, a good fourth of the women were bearing midriff with their bells, and not all of them had flat stomachs. As a matter of fact, the instructor had a straight pooch, but let that ish hang. It was so hot that I thought about letting it free (especially since it no longer hangs over my pants), but then reality slapped me - it isn't about the stomach, its about the belly button. And mine definitely makes a frown face - not awesome. I mean, even people with a little chub had a circle or a spiral, but for some reason Mr. Bad Attitude still resides in the middle of my body. So, in essence, no midriff for me...yet - because the work we do in that class is about to have me ripped. (Ripped enough to match the new neck muscles I have gained from sporting 3lb. weave for over a month in addition to my usual head size.)

So anyway, I am hooked...now if I only I had someone to show my moves to...


Aside: Please pray for the bereaved families and raped women in Guinea. This tragedy just breaks my heart.