I never thought that when I was 67 my passion would be dancing! Music has always been a big part of my life since I joined the band in the 5th grade. I went to school because of music. When I wasn't listening or singing to it I was playing it on the piano, clarinet, or saxophone. I majored in instrumental music in college and taught it for 20 years. Now that I am retired I have found another way to enjoy music, dancing!
Actually it is fitness or aerobic dancing. It is my exercise, my outlet, my passion. I started dancing in grade school in music classes. Our music teacher, Mrs. DePew taught us folk dancing and square dancing. I loved it then too. Then I started aerobic classes in my 30's and taught it in my 40's. I went back to teaching in my 50's after taking time off to be a stay-at-home mom. Before I only taught instrumental music but the second time around I found myself teaching general music. After taking Orff classes to help me teach general music I was teaching dance in my classroom. The young kids love to move and feel the music, it was so much fun. Anyway now that I am retired I needed a way to keep the weight down and my hips from hurting so much. I tried classes at the local gym but there were no dance classes and I missed dancing. I bought a Zumba CD and my passion began!
Zumba is mainly Latin dancing such as the samba or the meringue so I learned Latin steps. It was new and different and I loved it. I wanted something more pop so I started choreographing my own dances using a lot of Zumba moves. I also watch others' choreography on YouTube sometimes stealing their routines but most of the time I do my own. I have a book full of routines from the last 5 years.. Now I CAN'T STOP! I dance almost every day. I dance for an hour and stretch out for fifteen minutes afterwards. Two days a week I also lift weights and maybe do a few floors. I hate floors by the way, especially crunches.
It's hard to explain what dancing and music does for me but it is all engulfing. Every worry, every problem, every thing disappears except for my movement with the music. It takes me away to another place. I fantasize that I am dancing for thousands or just for one. I visualize a stage and lights and everyone enjoying my passion as much as I do. No one has ever seen me dance and no one probably will. I would like to do a flash dance someday. Who Knows?
