Who cares if I am the worst dancer in class!But do I care? Certainly not!
I am determined to learn how to salsa, no matter how long it takes.
It was my second session learning basic salsa and despite the damning judgement, I tell myself: Remember the promise you made to yourself last year when your spirits were low?
It had all started seven months ago when I had to undergo minor surgery.
Nothing serious, really; in fact, I was discharged the very next day.
Yet it was one of the most terrifying moments of my life.
I was scared and, born with a very active imagination, t thought of all the things that could go wrong on the operating table.
This was despite the fact I was lucky to have the best doctor and nurses who took really good care of me.
During the last moments before I was wheeled into the operation theatre, I made a promise to myself that right after the operation, when I got back on my feet, I would not take life for granted again.
Life is short and l intend to make the most of it.
So I made a quick list of what I would like to do to enrich my life further.
I promised myself that I would travel more, learn Mandarin, cook for my hubby ("Yeah, right; like that is ever going to happen!" I can hear him say), take up yoga and learn to salsa!
Why salsa? Because it is the most fascinating and lively dance there is.
But, more importantly, it is the kind of dance that makes you enjoy life and have fun.
I was hooked after watching the 1998 movie Dance With Me, starring Vanessa Williams.
I had this fantasy of dancing like that in shows - remember my active imagination?
I constantly fantasised dancing like that, free from inhibitions and letting myself go on the dance floor.
Today I proceeded with my second lesson, and discovered that it is not as easy as it seems.
But then again, nothing is easy…
That is why I am here - to learn.
I have a confession to make here: I am petrified of dancing in public!
But thank God for Mak. Who is Mak? Mak is many things - friend, colleague and, right now, my saviour.
Mak Khuin Weng volunteered to be my salsa partner and for that I will be eternally grateful to him.
To cut a long story short, Mak and I signed up for basic salsa classes at dance school Havana Estudio in
Word on the street is that this is one of the best dance schools in town, especially where salsa is concerned.
Owner and principal Sharie Dekorte opened the school 10 years ago when salsa was the preserve of the expatriate community.
Today, according to Dekorte, salsa is a lifestyle.
The whole concept of salsa, I was told, was to learn how to socialise and have fun.
My instructors – Sam Sopiee, better known as Salsa Sam, and Aisha Mansoor - were very clear about that aspect of the dance.
"The dance is not about learning for competitions or for the purpose of getting a certificate.
"It's about socialising and having fun," said Sam.
"It also helps one gain confidence and is a great way to de-stress," added Aisha.
I surely hope so, as my first session with Mak was awkward and 1 think both of us were a bit of a kayu (stiff) and a little shy, too, and. more than anything, we were doubly stressed at the end of the session.
But I am hoping that will change as we progress and gain more confidence.
During our first lesson, we were taught the basics, such as moving forward and backward to the beat of one-two-three and five-six-seven.
Also, how to hold our partner's hands, the importance of hand movements and footwork.
After trying it on our own for a while, we were told to switch partners, much to our chagrin.
It was Sam's way of making the learning process fun and a way of socialising at the same time.
Then we had to do it with music and, boy, that was fun!
Salsa music is so infectious. We started to really enjoy it and who cares that I forgot everything the very next day.
At least Mak and I had fun!
Salsa pose: Mak and I striking a salsa pose.
0 comments:
Post a Comment