Just wanted to get really real today and say that life isn't always sunshine and rainbows for me, even though I am an optimistic person. Feeling really uglys today, like I look more like Ursula the Sea Witch than Nina the Dancing Queen. I still did a 1.5 mile walk on the treadmill and 30 minutes of practicing leading my Zumba classes.
Hopefully I'll feel better about my reflection tomorrow--I'm sure I will.
Dancing is better than moping!
Love, Nina
Man this week got away from me! Today's dancing involved a dance party to two songs at work this afternoon when my brain stopped working for a bit, and some rocking out while I sorted laundry. Not dancing for fitness, dancing for mental health.
Yesterday night it was more Filipino folk dancing, which I really love. Photo below is of our sweet youngest dancers, practicing one of their pieces, about fisherfolk and fish in nets!
I have noticed that the dancing and my Season Affective Disorder lamp have been working really nicely together to keep my mood consistently happy and mostly even keeled. A nice side effect is mental health balance!
Just dance,
Nina
Things got crazy this week, and its only Wednesday! Last night I took a dance class at the Y, and tonight I had biggest Zumba class yet, with 2 NEW dancers--yay!!
More tomorrow. Time got away from me, and it is late!
Dancing in the moonlight,
Nina
So when I teach Zumba, I say "sorry." Like a lot. Sorry I forgot a move, sorry I went the wrong way, sorry I'm not a better teacher, sorry I'm panting like I'm going to die by the second song. I love teaching Zumba, but I'm also ridiculously embarrassed that I'm not very good yet. Every time someone isn't at my class, I immediately assume it's because they got tired of my crappy instructing and went off to take a class from a professional. But, for the last 7 days, I've danced every day without ceasing, and basically ONLY listened to my playlist every waking minute of the day. And you know what?! Tonight, when I was teaching my husband, who dutifully attends class in our basement on Mondays (in case you didn't know, he is actually the best), and I kept count--only 3 sorries! Once, when I was doing a side step move and disappeared out of the main room and danced right into our storage room, and two other times because I made minor mistakes. But, other than that--I taught a 9 song, 40 minute set with only 3 apologies!
Feeling my confidence build every day.
Just dance. Put on your red shoes and dance,
Nina
Today's dance was a lot of booty shaking while washing dishes! I have 3 new songs I'm working on choreography for, and I figured I'd multitask!
Very sleepy and a busy week ahead--more tomorrow.
Goodnight,
Nina
Took a Zumba class this morning from my favorite instructor Maren. She is a phenomenal teacher and makes class fun for everyone. She's not the best danced in the class, but she's in control of every move, every second, and her confidence and competence are inspiring. I spent class in the back row, mimicking her instruction style. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. She knows I'm a licensed instructor and invited me to teach a song in one of her upcoming classes--which regularly have 50 attendees--terrifyingly exhilarating!
Dance until you drop,
Nina
Happy Friday!
Today's dancing including some mean hand choreo to practice my Zumba routines whilst stuck in traffic this morning, and a good 45 minutes of what I like to call clean-ography as I attacked the dust and pet hair in a variety of hard to reach nooks and crannies using our new vacuum. Favorite moves included: tiptoe steps on the rim of the tub while vacuuming our ceiling air duct and back bend off the bed to get the dust bunnies from under the far corner of the frame.
I will say that I've enjoyed the first work week of this challenge. As a long-time sufferer of Seasonal Affective Disorder, my mood has been the best it's been for the post-holiday season in years. Yay for seratonin!
Dancing my way to sleep,
Nina
