Dance like nobody’s watching
This is my second link up to the one and only Shell’s Pour Your Heart Out. She’s so inspiring…
Earlier this month the adorable Katie at Sassy Silly Spunky Momma asked me to guest post. I was so excited as this was my first guest post that wasn’t another recipe site.
I jumped at the chance!
Then…
Panic set in.
As you all know, my blog is all about recipes. That’s what I usually write about. Me and the boys in the kitchen whipping up some delight.
All of the sudden I had to be witty and engrossing for someone else?
Ahhh!
The pressure.
As Katie’s blog is not about food I decided to embrace my inner blogger and blog like nobody’s reading…and it was fun, so I thought I’d share it with all of you. Care to join me?
Have your ever heard the saying “to dance like nobody’s watching?” The first time I heard it I loved it. Really loved it. I thought, yes of course, that is how everyone should live their lives, not caring what anyone thinks, and then I remembered that I have never ever in my entire life not cared what anyone thinks. I was always the girl in high school concerned about her appearance, about what people thought, about how pretty I looked, how smart I came across, how popular I was, yadda yadda yadda. It was exhausting. In college, it was no better. I was constantly concerned with my grades, my friends, my reputation. And even now, you will NOT catch me in a bathing suit. But at the end of the day, who on earth am I trying to impress? My husband adores me, my kids love me no matter what? What is all this about? Why can’t I just dance like nobody is watching?
So a few days ago I go to my first Zumba class. Yes it’s totally ridiculous and it’s a bunch of old ladies and young hot teeny boppers jumping around an aerobic studio but when I don’t feel like torturing myself for 45 minutes on a treadmill sweating with the masses is my happy alternative. See, I’m not a dancer, I never was a dancer. I was a gymnast for a while, but graceful I was not! I believe my nickname was “froggy legs.” Anyway, I remember taking some modern dance classes somewhere around junior high and always being the worst one in the class sort of got to me after a while, so I quit. I’m not exactly coordinated when it comes to choreography.
But you know what? When you just can’t take another kickboxing or pilates mat class you just gotta step it up right? So look out Pasha and Anya (uh, that’s a SYTYCD reference for those of you who actually have lives and aren’t attached to your TVs) here comes Alex.
OH EM GEE! Well I almost killed the poor old lady next to me during some samba shimmy sashay thing but I survived it. But what struck me during the whole thing was that I couldn’t take my eyes off this woman in the front.
Let’s call her, Sally.
Well, Sally looks like life may have not been the easiest for her. She’s in her early 30’s, as homely as all get out, she’s sort of a big girl, she’s got the big oversized glasses and if she was a dude she’d be wearing a pocket protecter.
Let’s put it this way, if I was back in high school, we would not have asked her to sit at our lunch table (and yes, as an adult I now know that’s wrong, but that’s a whole other post.)
Anyway, Sally pretty much screams dork. But there she is, front and center, right in front of the mirror, right next to that tiny little energizer bunny of an instructor…Sally is hard to miss. And she’s moving before they even turn the music on. I sort of giggle to myself and the music gets going.
Ok, these people don’t waste anytime. We’re moving and grooving and I’m trying to pick up and place my feet like a billion times faster than any kickboxing class. Oh and apparantly there are all these muscles in the hip area that I clearly haven’t used in decades, much to my hubs dismay.
But then there’s Sally…she’s a machine, she’s sweating and adding hops and getting her swerve on! Now, her dancing skills are not better than mine, and we’ve already established that is not saying much, but you know what?
SHE DOESN’T CARE.
SALLY IS HAVING A BLAST.
And her reckless abandon is making me care a bit less about how stupid I look, and I assure you I did look stupid, but suddenly I’m adding a bit of swagger, I’m adding a little roll, I’m tossing in the sexy arms, and I’m having a blast. Suddenly I’m dancing a fool, even if there are a bunch of college cheerleaders behind me, I mean really? Cheerleaders?
I learned a valuable lesson at Zumba. And I can’t wait to go back.
So thank you, Sally.
Thank you for helping me get over myself…
For helping me learn to live a bit…
For helping me let go a bit.
Thank you for teaching me to dance like nobody is watching.
If you’re a fan of So You Think You Can Dance, and we’ve already established that I am and I don’t, then you know that last Saturday July 31st, was National Dance Day. It is supposed to include a variety of dance-themed activities for people of all ages. It will empower, challenge and inspire everyone to try various styles of dance ranging from hip-hop to ballroom to anything that moves. Above all, it will encourage everyone to DANCE as a means to stay fit and be healthy. I was at a zumba class. What did you do? And did you do with as much passion as Sally?
Hello there! If you’re here from the Friday blog hops welcome welcome! Please leave me a note that you were here so I can get back to you this weekend! 
Related posts:
that post is HILARIOUS! I’ve heard zumba is so much fun and happy you “danced like nobody was watching!” ha, so fun! I can’t say I’d care what people thought too much, because I’m a goof ball! When music is playing anywhere,I’m dancing…even when my three year old hides his face in embarassment, I’m still dancing! While exercising, I’m dancing…just can’t help myself! My husband laughs because if I’m in a “dance” mood, he has to dance with me in the living room and kitchen while the boys are laughing at our feet
CUTE POST, KEEP DANCIN’!
Great post Alex!! I love that saying also and am always in awe of people that actually live like that. When I was in college this friend of mine and I use to go to this small little club. We’d dance and dance more once we drank a little more…but there was always this girl there…she would REALLY dance, just like Sally. I use to think, damn, I wish I could just dance and not worry about what everyone is thinking…then one day I realized… People probably weren’t even watching me, I mean really..and if they were, who cares right? LOL well, I still do at times, but at least I’m a little better then back then! lol
This is so cute! It makes me want to go take a class now, graceless and uncoordinated thing that I am …
I always love a great recipe blog!
Following from FMF!
I don’t know what you are talking about that it is hard for you to post if it is not a recipe!!! This was a very funny post!! I am thinking I should go try Zumba. I do tons of other classes, but never feel coordinated enough to do something like Zumba. That Sally man, what an inspiration! LOL!!!
You totally rocked the post girl!! Thanks again for guest blogging for me! You are too sweet!
That’s great…I am one of those people that is afraid to dance in public also. Although I didn’t use to be, I have lost my confiDANCE!
Thanks for sharing this hilarious post you are WITTY and FUNNY outside of the kitchen…KEEP ON DANCIN!
You site makes me hungry! I found you on the Friday Follow. Come follow me at
topfloorfamily.blogspot.com
Great post Alex! I’m totally addicted to SYTYCD. And no, I definitely can’t dance either. Good for you for getting out there and getting it done! And go Sally!
You know what’s seriously funny? My post on Tuesday is about my love for Zumba and how even though I’m not talented, I love their attitude and fun approach to dance.
Alex! You’re back! I absolutely loved this post! I have heard so much about Zumba and have never given it a shot. In my town there are hundreds that attend the class on any given Tuesday or Thursday evening. I totally should go but I have no courage. ~sigh~
Thanks for stopping by to see me today and commenting! I have missed you. I am glad you are feeling better. Have a happy weekend~
Candace
I was literally JUST telling my friend how much I LOVE Zumba!
I am totally addicted. Not only do I do class twice a week, I bought the DVDs too. I have THE MOST fun at class. I approach the whole thing with reckless abandon and I don’t care!!!
Zumba, baby!!
Great post! This had me reading all the way through. I’m so glad you could let loose. Sometimes I feel a bit uptight. LOL I’m not by nature, but it’s happening slowly but surely! A couple of things…thanks for the comment love on BFF this morning. I’m so glad you could relate! Then I came by to see you, and you are just what I need! My kiddos are SUPER PICKY! I also have a husband with high cholesterol. Any recipes you want to share? Would you be interested in featuring one on my site? I’m a new follower!
Glad you were able to let go and have fun! We all have to let loose once in awhile!!!
Aww..good for you for stepping out of your comfort zone! I give the same advice when people are intimidated about writing: write like no one’s reading!
I always love reading your posts and this one is definitely a keeper! I have heard so much about Zumba and I have wanted to try it out but the Zumba class at my gym is right at dinner time for our family. I will have to try and make it work at some point because after reading your post, I am motivated to make it work!
Alex, that was just a GREAT (I mean GREAT) post!! Loved it all. So interesting what we can learn from many we may have pre-judged (hmmm, I suppose that’s where the word ‘prejudice’ comes from, huh.) Anyway, love that you ‘got over’ yourself and had a great time. Keep up the good work! I’ve never even heard of Zumba, so I’ll have to Google it. Have a great weekend!
Oh. and I meant to thank you for the comment on Cranberry Morning and that I’m going to move in with your mom. You may want to let her know.
LOL
Alex, this was a great post. I felt like you were in my head when you wrote it. I need a good kick in the butt sometimes to stop worrying about what others think. So thanks for that! I also liked the reminder not to judge others. (And I loved the line about Sally getting her “swerve” on. Too funny.)
Sounds super fun! Thanks for dropping by!
Awesome Alex! You are so right…we need to approach life with the attitude of “dance like nobody is watching”! When we do not, we sometimes limit our experiences, and may even not pursue a dream.
…now what’s for dinner?
You go Zumba Alex!! I must go dust off my inner-Sally and join you (-:
omg, I absolutely LOVEd this! I was laughing out loud. I could totally picture it, haha. Anyway, I just loved reading this and think you’re very entertaining.
This was so awesome! I loved reading your guest post, how super fun you are!
Excellent post!! I have heard about this Zumba but haven’t tried it out. I so should. Not with anyone I KNOW though!!
Good for you with the guest post. I am not a particularly witty or savvy writer and my blog is the same, basically just recipes. I’m glad you got out of the comfort zone for a bit and you did a fastastic job. You made everyone THINK and WANT to do that!! Because secretly, everyone DOES want to dance like that!
I don’t dance – lol. My daughter actually does though. She has been taking dance lessons for about 6 yrs now. Her dance studio was doing Zumba classes for the adults last year – it did look kinda fun.
I would have to channel Sally too in order to do it. thanks for sharing.
Sally sounds like a beautiful woman! I love that she helped you realize this. No one cares that you look like an idiot at Zumba
they are all there to do the same thing you are! Get their exercise on : )
I might have to try that class this week. Even though I would be a total geek!
I am Sally. Seriously. I love zumba, but I am not a good dancer. However, I am there to have fun, break a sweat, and let off some steam. I am glad you had some fun.
I need to bring out my inner Sally! I have been avoiding a Zumba class, but now I think I need to take a chance. I’m guessing a glass of Pinot before class won’t be a good idea though, right? =)
-Aimee
I really must try Zumba. I’m really good at dancing like nobody’s watching. Sometimes, it is a problem.
Love this! I tried Zumba last week and realized the same thing as you. Wish we could be in class together- I could use someone to laugh with!
Btw, I’m so behind right now, not having had my laptop for 10 days. I’m trying to catch up now that I have it!