How can it be so that a guy can blow your mind in the dance floor and you can sense a huge amount of chemistry between you two, but the moment the dance ends that all is gone? Sometimes the dance connection can be so strong it can make you confused and think that there is something more than that, but normally this is just an illusion. "What happens in the dance floor stays in the dance floor", Mr A. always says, and I have to agree with him. Many dancers I have talked about this subject with say that they wouldn't even realize if someone was actually keen on them if this happened in a dance floor or a dance party.
Social dancing can really mess your attitude towards flirting. Flirting is an essential part of many couple dances, and you have to be able to flirt with your dance partner to make the dance great. What also confused me in the beginning, was the physical closeness. I think this has to do with Finish culture where we are used to a large personal space. If the opposite sex came inside that personal space, you could interpret is as an expression of interest. This rule doesn't apply in the dance floor, not even if your dance partner is getting really close to you. It is just a part of the dance.
It can be quite the opposite too. You can meet an attractive dancer with who you click immediately but when he takes you for a dance it is not working at all. I am just asking: why does it work this way? It would make much more sense that dance floor wouldn't differ from non-dance floor, but no!
Realizing this fact has made also me to think dancing as a neutral zone where nothing can happen and any kind of signals have no meaning what so ever. On the other hand, this makes things simple: dancing is dancing and there is nothing more to that. What happens in the dance floor stays in the dance floor.
I have been thinking already quite a while of asking Nic if he could give me couple of dance lessons, but I was too worried he would refuse. This week, however, I saw my moment coming and slipped out the question. I couldn't help smiling when the first thing he asked was "where?". Nic revealed that he was analyzing every single move I made when we were dancing on Saturday (I should have guessed!) and he already started to plan the crucial things to go through with me. I cannot say how happy I am about this. I really miss our practices and Nic knows best how to teach me. Oh I cannot wait for January!
I tried to set as many dance practices for this week before I left Helsinki for Christmas holiday but I had to settle for only two. On Tuesday I met up with JV. We had to share the practice place with another dance couple so this time we danced also some other dances than Zouk. It was actually quite refreshing! JV tried to lead couple of new figures but I still have lots to do with my following, even though I have been improving a lot since I started to learn following in September. I remember how horrible I was in the beginning. Every dance was a struggle! Anyway, I am happy about my improvement but still quite lost if someone is leading something new to me. Our practice reminded me that I also have to take an eye to my posture and the position of my hip.
On Wednesday I had a Zouk practice with Michaelo. Firstly we watched a video of our dancing from Sunday's practica. To tell the truth, I was quite shocked how our and especially my dancing looked like. It was too soft and flat and missed all excitement and sharpness. The camera is cruel and shows every single mistake, but videotaping dancing is a great way to see what you need change. The biggest things what I need to concentrate on is finishing of my movements, my posture and basic steps - so the very basics! Even though we have still a lot to do with our zoukking, a good thing is that we both are very analytical and willing to work on our weaknesses. Keeping in mind the things we need to improve we went through couple of figures from Pasty & Josta and one from Kadu & Larissa. In addition we spent lots of time laughing and fooling around. Sometimes, like if you want to have an efficient practice, it is not a good thing to have similar sense of humor, but at least we are having fun!
Having all this extra time before Christmas has been making me to think about my relationship to dancing. I have to say that there are four special persons that have had a huge effect on how I am as a dancer now. I would be really different if I didn't meet those persons. Firstly Nic, you were the one who made me addicted to dancing. Without you I wouldn't probably dance at all. Now I cannot even think my life without dancing! You changed my life and you changed me, thank you. Secondly Mr A., you encouraged me to continue dancing when you saw me struggle and made me feel welcomed into the dance circles. You have made me more confident dancer, thank you. Thirdly JV, you made me start dancing Zouk. You asked me to be your dance partner knowing that I had no idea about Zouk and since that have taught me so much, thank you. Finally Michaelo, you have made me feel really special dancer. You have deepened my love to dancing, thank you. I am so happy that I met all of you and got not only talented dance partners but also four great friends. It is hard to imagine my life without any of you.
But now I will quiet down and enjoy my restful Christmas time. I'll be back with dancing next week.
If I thought the end of Spex would mean a break from dancing, I was wrong. Well okay, if you count Friday as a break, I did have one, but the last two days have been just sleeping and dancing, and I will have dance practices every day until I head home for Christmas. My muscles haven't been this sore for a long time, ouch!
On Saturday I had a long Zouk practice with Michaelo. Our last couple of practices somehow haven't been that efficient and we weren't able to progress that much. This time, however, we went through three new figures quite well. We have been watching quite a lot of Zouk videos with Michaelo and I was able to induce him to come to Amsterdam's Salsa and Zouk festival with me in February. Maybe one of the reasons is that Kadu & Larissa and Pasty & Josta are few of the many great artists there. After watching their dancing from many videos I am really looking forward seeing them dancing live.
On Saturday evening it was time for HOT Dance pre Christmas dancing party. I took Nic with me in hopes of dancing few ballroom dances with him. The place was super crowded and it was almost impossible to fit to the dance floor. Fortunately they decided to expand the party to another dance floor, but at this time Nic already chose to head home and my plan was kinda failed. I did dance a lot but I didn't get those dance flow experiences that I got a week before in Pohjalaisten tanssikerho's dance party. However, it felt great to dance something else than Zouk, Salsa or Bachata for a long time.Variety is the spice of life - and of dancing.
On Sunday afternoon I had a practice with Mr A. for the longest time. Actually we were supposed to dance on Friday but I over slept after coming home at 6 am from Spex party that morning (and truly felt awfully sorry for that). I can't even remember when was the last time we had a practice! As always, we danced variety of ballroom dances and had heaps of fun. Dancing with Mr A. is always somehow relaxing in a way that I don't need to think or stress about anything if I don't want to. I have to admit that lately I have been taking dancing a bit too seriously, so the practice was also a good reminder to slow down. I don't want to stress about dancing. That doesn't lead to any good.
Sunday evening I went to my first Zouk practica ever to HSA's dance studio. I don't know why I haven't been going there before. Somehow I've always had something else on Sunday evenings. I felt really tired after the practice with Mr A., and I thought I wouldn't be in a mood for zoukking at all, but I got my energy back as soon as I started dancing and the three hours flew super fast. I was able to get into the Zouk feeling quite quickly and had many great dances. I was especially happy with some of Michaelo and my dances since our practices have been missing these impro/dancing with feeling moments. These moments proves that we do have something special in our dance connection that I don't have with anyone else. Anyway, from now on my Sunday evenings will be dedicated to zoukking.
This evening we have a Spex dancer's reunion practice. Let's see if I already start missing our choreography dancing, especially now that there is no pressure of the showings. By the way, here is a video from our Spex's final rehersal that I forgot to add to my previous posting:
Yesterday was the last Spex showing which means the end of my Spex-experience. These two weeks has passed so fast and it is hard to believe that this was it. I must admit, though, that I am quite exhausted (and it is not just because last night's farewell party that lasted till morning). Even though I knew Spex was going to take a lot of time I wasn't really prepared how much of my energy it would take. If three months ago I knew what I know now, and someone asked me if I wanted to take part of this, I might think it twice but definitely say yes. I have learned incredible lot about dancing and, more importantly, about myself as a dancer during these intensive months.
It was surprising to notice that all the showings were so unique. The premiere was a total success and the energy in the back stage was unbelievable. Every single spexer was extremely excited and gave the audience one of the best shows in Spex history. On the contrary, the next showing in Tampere was a disaster. Set pieces were stumbled, technique didn't work, the audience was sticky, the band was smashed, two scenes were skipped by an accident and the excitement was gone. The situation was fixed back in Helsinki but the feeling wasn't the same as in the premiere. Even though it is not supposed to effect that much, the way the audience acted played a big role in the whole thing. A loud and cheering audience made all give a bit more to their performance which also reflected to the enjoyment of the audience. Some showings were notably better than others and at least my feeling in every show was different. Yesterday's final showing was a blast but the long week had taken it's toll and I was already quite tired both physically and emotionally, and my output was according.
The last two weeks have given me couple of special and unforgettable memories. One of these is Wednesday's showing where most of my friends came to see me dancing. I can't remember the last time I was so nervous! When I walked to the stage my hart was beating so fast and hard I was afraid I wasn't able to concentrate on dancing at all. However, I got even more energy to my dancing because of that.
Maybe the best lesson Spex taught me was the chance to dance in front of an audience. Before I had no idea how I could react or how the pressure would affect me. It also proved that I am able to learn a choreography and perform it as well as anyone else even though I don't have as much dancing experience. However, I have also learned that group dancing is not my thing as much as couple dancing is. Now that Spex is done, I will have more time for my lovely dancing partners who I have been forced to put in the second priority. Maybe now I will also figure out what I really want from dancing. But before I do that, I just want to take some time from any pressures and dance just to get the joy and enjoyment from it.
30 minutes before the showing I started getting nervous about the performance. Finally, I thought. I had been waiting for this feeling the whole day. The atmosphere in the back stage was charged and everybody were counting the final minutes before the show time. I gave a final glimpse to my reflection in the mirror: Yes, I was ready.
We sneaked to the wings and I couldn't help to peak through the curtains. The house was full. My heart beat was getting stronger. I looked at the other girls and I could see the same excitement from their eyes. After the final silent cheer we walked to the stage.
Every second I stood still in the stage waiting for the choreography to begin, I soaked up energy from the waiting audience. When I took my first step, suddenly the time seemed to slow down. I could distinguish every face in the audience and I saw the other dancers better than ever. I felt the loaded energy flowing through me. I didn't have to think my steps, my body knew exactly what I had to do. I danced better and stronger than in any practice. It was not until I had to stop moving when I noticed how heavy I was breathing and how fast my heart was beating. The audience gave us loud cheers as we ran from the stage.
My hands were shaking. The first thing that came to my mind was that I wanted to get back to the stage.
Wow, the premiere is tomorrow! I am super excited! I am pleased to my performance in today's final rehearsal and feeling confident that I will dance well tomorrow. All the negative feelings I've been having lately are gone. I just want to get to the stage and show what I can. This is what we have been practicing for the whole autumn! I am also so happy that so many of my friends are coming to see me dance. I promise do my best for you guys!
The final rehearsal was hectic. Everybody were running around in the back stage, everything was lost and people were stressed but I enjoyed the feeling. This was the first time we had all our dance clothes and make up on, and it gave the the extra thing to the performance. It is hard to believe that it really was the last practice after all the hard work. I simply cannot wait for tomorrow!
To relax my mind about Spex for a while I had couple of Zouk practices yesterday. First I met JV and we went through the figures we learned in the Zouk festival. With the help of JV I was able to fix some problems I've been having with my spins and all in all the practice went really well. I have been learning a lot the last two months and its reflecting to our practices too. We can now concentrate to more specific things and I have a feeling that also JV is getting more out of our dancing. Later I had my first practice with my new dance partner Michaelo. It is amazing how well we dance together already. We must use our bodies the same way. Its like putting two puzzle pieces together, click. Michaelo gives lots of good feedback about small things and it helps me to pay attention to things I've learned the wrong way. Right, we still need time to get the connection and leading/following perfect but for the first practice it was already in a really good level. Our practice was so efficient and we both are really eager to learn more. I have a feeling that we don't need much time to get our zoukking great. I am so lucky to find these amazing dancers to dance with!
But now my mind is just in the Spex and tomorrow's premiere. It is going to be a blast! Who would have guessed nine months ago when I started dancing that I would be dancing in a stage in less than 24 hours? Incredible but true.
... NO! How is is possible that 6 days before the premiere my body decides to get sick?! The flu hit fast late Monday evening and conquered my entire body during the night. Tuesday's go-through was absolutely horrible. I had no strength, I couldn't concentrate, made stupid mistakes and felt like dying after dancing. I came to a conclusion that dancing and being sick is like ice cream and ketchup: they just don't go together (plus I love ice cream and hate ketchup)! I have been trying to rest as much as I can but I still don't feel well. I mean, why now after being well for more than a year? Okay, if I try to see the positive side of it, I might get better before the premiere. It is just that the last week of training is so important. We have to get all the dances perfect in just 4 days.
Practicing choreography for Spex has definitely taught me a lot, not just about dancing but about me. One thing concerns feedback and criticism. Even though I know that if I get negative feedback, it is not because of I cannot dance but because everybody have to make all the moves the same way. If there is even a small difference it has to be corrected. Even though I know this very well, it is still too easy to take it the wrong way. Hearing only negative feedback in every practice has dragged me down too many times. It has made me question my abilities as a dancer. However, I believe this experience has also made me stronger and taught me the importance of always giving also positive feedback. It is so easy to concentrate on the mistakes but it is the strengths that makes us shine.
Oh, last weekend I met one dancer whose dance style matches mine frightening well. We also think about dancing in very similar way. I think that if we started to dance together we might be able to take each other's dancing into whole different level. We have been talking about this and we might start dancing Zouk together. He is more experienced dancer than I but we are kind of the same level in Zouk. I have a feeling that he could be the kind of dance partner I have been looking for. I mean serious dance partner, not just someone I practice dancing with regularity. Let's see how things develop.
Talking about Zouk, I was recommended to check out one Zouk webpage and I think it is great. It is a good place to find some Zouk videos, so I thought to share the link with you: http://www.zouknation.net. Enjoy.
It can be quite the opposite too. You can meet an attractive dancer with who you click immediately but when he takes you for a dance it is not working at all. I am just asking: why does it work this way? It would make much more sense that dance floor wouldn't differ from non-dance floor, but no!
