MUSES & SNEAKERS
“Why do you dance?” It’s a question repeatedly raised in “Leap” — a favorite film of my three year old twin girls. In the movie, an orphan girl escapes her village, runs away to Paris and sneaks her way into the top Ballet Academy to make her dancer dreams come true. I can totally relate.
Crunch Gym is my “Ballet Academy” and to this day, it still makes my dancer dreams a reality. In 1995, I’d sneak in to the Crunch location on Lafayette Street in NYC and pretend to be a fitness instructor once my student membership ran out. I’d give a tough looking “Was-Sup” chin raise salutation to the half asleep Front Desk worker and enter through the side exit like I owned the joint. I’d then rush to secure my spot in the super packed dance classes. Amidst the throngs of gym-goers, I’d immerse myself in the surround sound beats of hip-hop, pop and R&B and eat up the new dance routine. It was such a high to feel that synchronicity of movement with an entire room.
Even once I became a lawyer (and could finally afford the membership), I was still a “sneaker”. I’d have to ask my legal secretary to cover for me and sneak away from controlling partners just so I go make it to these gym dance classes.Then, inevitably late from the office, I’d have to sneak into the crowded studio and carve out a space for myself while I cast off my cheap suit and Century 21 tie and slip on my makeshift dance wear. Man I remember desperately wanting to look cool without trying to look like I was trying to look cool — so a disheveled flowy vibe was what I went for. Plus, I loved how the oversized clothes FLOWED when I danced. I enjoyed seeing the continuation of the movement of the fabric from the dance that I created. Or that really, Malin created.
Ah . . . Malin Zaki. She’s one of the first dance/fitness teachers I ever studied with and every time I took her dance classes, I thought I was in the presence of a goddess. She was my Terpsichore — the Greek and Roman Muse of Dance. And there I was, my nerdy mythology loving self, in the back room of a crowded gym studio, dancing with her and doing her insanely complicated and yet accessible choreography! This elfin-like woman commanded us to flow, groove and shake to music in ways that empowered me. She’s also the reason I ended becoming an instructor at Crunch and which led to me celebrating my 20 Year Anniversary with the Company just a few months ago. Time definitely flies when you’re having fun dancing.
Hitting 20 years, I started to ask “Why am I still here?” and “What do I want my legacy to be?” It’s prompted a great deal of introspective dialogue and a coming back to basics and the purpose of why I do anything. I still teach one dance class a week. And it is work! The playlist, the choreography, the figuring out how to break it all down, the keeping it fresh, relevant and a great work out — all these factors make it the kind of class I can’t just waltz in and bang out. It takes time. And time that I seem to have less of since without design, I’ve come in to the position of directing the Crunch Group Fitness Department. Couple that with the actual design of becoming a parent of those twin girls I mentioned and there are definitely moments when I question why am I still teaching a dance class and even fundamentally, why do I dance?
My answer is still the same — I simply love it. And as I now watch my daughters dance with pure joy and complete freedom — I get it! That’s how we all start out — just loving dance! There is nothing like the freedom of movement and the simple pleasure of feeling the beat or rhythm or lyrics of a song in your body and your heart. It is joy personified. And as an instructor — I have the privilege of sharing that joy with others and challenging them to let go of all inhibitions and shake what their mamas gave them. It’s a gift and I am so thankful for it.
To my fellow dance teachers out there — I encourage you to take from other teachers and collaborate with those that inspire you. I have a new Muse in the form of one Jamie Drye. This beautiful soul is so passionate about dance and yet is so chill about it — which makes me enjoy the dance all the more. I am so frickin’ blessed to co-choreograph with him regularly and not just because he shares in the burden of creativity but because he pushes and inspires me to evolve, innovate and yet not overthink it. He keeps it FUN.
To my nervous about dance friends out there — I encourage you to remember how you danced as a toddler or kid and tap into what that felt like. And if it put a smile on your face and a shake in your bootie — don’t think — just dance. Go to a class. And workout tip: if the room is crowded — don’t stand in the back. Go to the second row and be on the side where you can feel the energy of the teacher and see them at all times. In that spot, you will also avoid the Front Row Mafia or veteran members in the center who often can be territorial of their spot or position in class.
Near the end of the movie “Leap”, the Ballet Master asks the little orphan girl “Why do you dance?” and she says, “I dance because it’s always been a part of my life… It allows me to live and to be myself.” I can totally relate.
