I LOVE So You Think You Can Dance (SYTYCD for us, groupies). I have watched it from the very first season and know exactly what you are referring to when you reference The Door, The Bench, or This Woman’s Work. I knew Travis Wall was uber talented from the season that he danced on the show and have fallen in love with him all over again as a choreographer– I even threw a theme party for the finale when you had to come dressed as either Travis or Benji. I have tolerated Mary’s screams and continued to watch through Mia’s on-again off-again appearances (why does she toy with my heart). I remember the first bollywood routine and can pick out past contestants on stage with current performers. I remember the excitement and anticipation I would feel when they announced that the next performance was a Wade Robson number (OH! This is gonna be a good one!) and get even more excited now, with Sonia. You will often find me prancing around my house throughout the season either throwing myself on the floor in the drama of a contemporary routine or booty-poppin after a bad-ass hip-hop number.
I know I am not the only one. There is a culture of us out there. You know exactly what I am talking about. You have experienced chills, tears, and literally jumped out of your seat in excitement. You have been in awe at the beauty and ridiculousness behind the strength and skill. You have said, “Damn, I wish I could do that (and I’ll take the body that goes with it).”
I love all of the mentioned above, but I also love the advocacy for dance. I was never a dancer but I now get how special it is. I love that the show has gotten further away from beating people down and more in touch with praising them for their love of dance. I know I will never be on the show or praised for dance in any way, but I love that they have given us the permission to do it anyway.
I have taken a few classes where free movement and expression were encouraged. It felt a little awkward at first but I really appreciated the opportunity to give myself permission not to care what I looked like or what other people thought of me. I was able to release, connect with the music, and feel the passion of a mind/body connection.
While, I know that I cannot dance with the skill and grace as Melanie, Twitch, William, or Jeanine, I can move. I can get the awesome workout and increase my flexibility. I can have fun, feel sexy and experience the passion of dance. And I am not the only one, because you, too are invited. Yes, friends, it is because of SYTYCD and free movement that I have been developing the Body & Soul class for Blissful Mind Wellness that will be starting in August. Who’s ready to join me?
BlissfulMindWellness 