Belly Dancing!

One of my new year's not-quite-resolutions was to go along to a belly-dancing class at the gym we're paying exorbitant amounts to stay away from each month.

Only took me 5 1/2 months, but last Thursday saw me venture in search of some middle-Eastern culture.

What a laugh!

The last time I tried to learn anything invoving coordinated movement was in 6th form when us girls ventured to the local boys' school to learn the art of humiliation aka ballroom dancing. I gave that up after managing to cause a 6 couple pileup when I tripped and dragged over the poor bloke who'd picked me as a partner. Like lemmings, the following crowd landed on top of us. It was bad enough being one of the wallflowers who never got picked by any of the spotty oiks to be their partner, but this was the last straw!

Anyway, I digress....
I actually had the class recommended to me a few weeks ago so this reinforced the desire to find out more. Being my usual unmotivated self, however, it took me until last week to show up. As luck would have it, it was the regular teacher's last week before going on holiday, so I got to meet her. She took pity on me and instead of launching into a routine straight away, we spent half the time working on the basic steps, clenches, rolls and other torturous devices.

I have to say it was pretty difficult to follow most of what was being done, between trying to work out which muscle was working when and where, plus getting very distracted by the shapeless blob facing me in the full length mirrors! Such things should be barred, they're only there to make stick insects feel superior to us blobs.

My stomach was clenching for Wales (much easier to clench than to unclench) and I felt like I had 2 left feet at times, but throughout the class, everyone was encouraging and had so much fun it was infectious. I even ended up learning a dance routine to finish things off, and was well and truly hooked!

My hipscarf with coins has now been delivered, so all set for lesson #2 with the relief teacher this week, bring it on!!!