I went to class tonight because I knew I would see MDB. I would see her smiling face and positive energy and I would want to do and be better than I felt and push my limits.
So after three weeks of no MDB, no lil black chick and other regulars that help put me in the 'zone', I took Mondays and Thursdays off to work on belly dancing projects.
I parked quickly and practically ran into Joel Hall Dance Studio to see MDB talking to someone. I tried not to interrupt, but I hugged her, gave her a Midwest Tribal Mafia postcard for the show and handed her two shortbeard cookies (I'm outta produce!).
Lil Black Chick is there giving her apologies for dropping out of sight and I smile and feel at home again. We all turn to watch Mr. Hall put his first company through their paces. In the fishbowl, there are more than 20 bodies creating movement, heat, grace, power and buckets upon buckets of sweat.
LBC and I wander to the back. The Young One has decided to come back as well and two regulars with a lot of experience join us as well. My left knee is feeling wobbly and weird from making it work on Sunday for rehearsal, but I'm determined.
Side Bar: Here we go and where we stop
Menty: Better not be on the FLOOR!
LBC and I line up at the last barre and give each other looks of encouragement before we start the plie combination. I'm rubbing my left knee in anticipation.
The plie combination is our usual - two demi's and a grande, port de bra, releve, plie - next position. We finish with a circular port de bra and switch sides.
We move into tendus, degages, rond de jambs, and frappes. I was originally worried that I wouldn't be able to do any of these at all, but like riding a bicycle - I fall off a few times and then just the hang of it again. I miss a few things, but it's still very familiar.
As we make it into battements, I know I'm going to be hurting and stiff tomorrow. I can feel how much flexibility I have lost as my body struggles to get back those few precious inches I'd originally earned from having three to four classes a week.
I warn MDB that I can't jump and I need to be careful when getting into retire, but she tells me to worry about the jumping and to coupe instead. We move into the adagio which involves a lot of posturing and grace - and I confident that I haven't lost much of that - but I'm still screwing up the combinations.
Side Bar: Which arm was that?
Menty: I don't know.
Side Bar: Look to the left....look to the right....
Menty: Another one bites the dust...
MDB is surprisingly gentle with us tonight. She doesn't pull out her riding crop. She does poke fun at us and at one point she says, "I know you are coming to class to get better." To which I say, "No. I only came for the jokes." We all smiles and get to work on the next combination.
As we finish the waltz turn combination, we move into tombe, pout de bouree, glissade, assemblage - and I don't even pause. I don't let my self doubt creep up, I don't worry about my feet, I don't think about who is watching (kinda) and I just do it. I don't jump really high and I don't do it right every time, but I don't freeze up or hesitate.
MDB is one of those teachers that makes you want to do better. For me, I feel this way when I'm taking workshops from Rachel Brice, Deb Rubin, Princess Farhana, Heather Stants, Jill Parker, Kajira of BSBD, Carolena of FCBD and many more inspiring and great teachers. I like having a teacher that make me look forward to taking class and giving my best. I aspire to be one of those teachers.....
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