The Black Swan Challenge Week II

We're Gonna Need a Bigger Dance Bag...

Let me just say that the word "challenge" is no joke here, friends. This has been an uphill battle, both physically and logistically.

My joints? Stiff. My extremities? Bruised. My feet? Callusing. My muscles? Oh, so very sore. Earlier this week it was as if I was driving, trying desperately to reach the next exit on a gas tank that has nothing but fumes left. I was pulling every last ounce of energy that I possibly could from my fatigued muscles, commanding them to fire and getting a minimal response in return.

So far, I have taken different ballet classes, modern classes and a Pilate's class. While dancing, sometimes I feel as though I am getting reacquainted with an old, dear friend. Other times, it's more like bumping into an annoying relative at the store. You know, the one who always has on way too much cologne or perfume and makes the food nobody eats at family gatherings? They greet you with an awkward hug and proceed to talk at a feverish pace. You try to politely end the conversation, but they don't let you leave, asking you why you're still single and how come they never hear from you. Yeah. Like that. Concepts that were once familiar need deciphering. Positions that once required minimal effort take every bit of strength I can muster. Things that I was once working on perfecting, I am now starting back at square one just trying to execute. Why can't I just get my knee to passe??? Talk about a reality check.

Then, since I am working full time during the day and dancing in the evenings, I am having to get creative with my errands and household chores... I can wear this shirt again, right? It totally passed The Sniff Test... I know that we are all busy--I'm sure that there are parents out there wondering what I could possibly have to say about being short on time--but, when we make dramatic changes in our lives to accommodate whatever new demand, be it kids, pets, or a physical endeavor, it can be very tricky indeed.

I am adjusting to a lot of little things, as well. Like packing enough snacks for a long day and figuring out what to wear to classes everyday, i.e.: determining what still fits after all these years... and getting it all packed and mobile. Plus, as the holiday season continues to add another dimension to the demands on my time, I am working hard to stay ahead of the game.

So... Why am I doing this again? Well, at the end of the day, after all of the above is said and done, the feeling I am taking away is a wonderful one. I'm not sure how far I've come yet, but every day is a small accomplishment, and I am meeting wonderful people in the process. People that share my passion for dance, as well as the challenges of life and dancing/dancing and life. And, to all those dancers out there that sometimes find themselves pondering the whys and hows of their dancing as I have been, remember that warm, fuzzy, wonderful feeling you get from it, in whatever way it comes to you. Put THAT in your dance bag and... carry it.

- Brittany

P.S.:

Last week's theme song: Ready, Steady, Go - Paul Oakenfold

This week's theme song: Let's Dance - Billy Idol

Pointe Taken

Turning an epilogue of dance into a new story's beginning

My name is Brittany Petry. I was born and raised here in Anchorage, Alaska. I do accounting work for a small business, I just moved to south Anchorage with my boyfriend, and I own two Welsh corgis who may be the coolest dogs on the planet. What else? Well, I love camping and fishing... I'm a Gemini. Oh, and I'm a dancer. Well, that is to say, I dance. Uhhh, I dance... in front of the bedroom mirror when Gaga comes on. And I drop it like it's HOT in my kitchen on occasion. I've done a pas de deux with my vacuum cleaner in the living room... and I've certainly done my share of spirit-induced dance floor moves. Heck, I've even lead the Electric Slide AND the Cupid Shuffle at a few weddings! Huh... I really do LOVE to dance. Really! It's just that my dancing is now limited to the aforementioned instances... and I've been trying so hard in the past few months to figure out why. Why did my story become "I used to be a dancer"?

Don't get me wrong, I firmly believe that ANYONE can dance. I think of it as a universal language that we can all speak at some level; that's what makes dance so special. And while I wouldn't deny that some one's at-home twerking session is their avenue to dance, for me, I feel like I can't presently call myself a dancer. It's been past-tense for me, personally, because the scope and the frequency of my dancing plummeted, with no good excuse at all for the change. 

I started dancing at 4 years old; a little pre-ballet blur, all in pink, then pink and blue, learning to leap over carpet squares at Alaska Dance Theatre. As I grew, so did my love of moving. I dabbled in gymnastics and figure skating, but stayed dancing all the while. I essentially grew up at Alaska Dance Theatre, taking ballet, then jazz, then modern. I started with the company at 13, letting most all other activities outside of school play second fiddle to my love of dance. My schedule through junior high and high school was full of rehearsals, classes and performances with some of the most amazing resident and guest teachers and choreographers from around the world. In short, I ate, slept, and breathed dance. It was a core part of my being.

At age 19, I stopped taking dance classes. I had intentions of being with the company another year, but decided against it. I think it's accurate to say that I let frustrations I was having in life and in the studio get to me, and instead of rising to the challenge, I walked away. While I know I had my reasons at the time, I can't put them together in hindsight. And, really, how lame is that?!?

Honestly, I can't count the number of times that I thought to myself over the years "I should take a ballet class, I miss it". I feel like the absence of dance in my life created a little hole in me that was getting progressively bigger over time, but for some inexplicable reason, I wasn't moved to fill it. Perhaps I was in denial, or, maybe, once I let enough time pass, I was too scared of the daunting task of getting back into it. But I don't think dance was ever done with me, and over the past few months, that hole of dancelessness (new word--write it down) seemed too big to ignore. About that time, some opportunities to dance started cropping up. I danced in a flash mob downtown, and at a hip-hop birthday party of a good friend's 13 year old daughter. The following day, while appreciating/lamenting my sore muscles, I pondered that the universe might really be telling me something... "Get out there and DANCE, dummy!" And who am I to argue with the universe?

Having taken the universe's hint, I made the decision to drop by Studio Pulse and check out class card prices. I had heard all about the studio opening and was pretty excited that an awesome company had given way to what was sure to be an awesome dance studio. My visit, by all accounts, proved my theory. Then, in the midst of leading the universe on a little, reallocating my fun money to accommodate the purchase of a class card, it happened... There, in my Facebook newsfeed, Studio Pulse posted the Black Swan Challenge. That was it. If I considered what was happening before to be the universe giving me hints, I might consider this to be the universe hitting me in the face with a pillow, like, "This sign couldn't be any bigger, tag you are SO it". And let me tell you: I am not one to back down from a pillow fight.

So, here I am. Scared, excited, nervous, and ready. Maybe "ready"... Well, there's no time like the present, is there? I am very thankful for this opportunity; I'm looking to turn what was once my epilogue into a new story's beginning. This is my moment and perhaps your moment as well. Because if I can dust myself off, get back out there and put myself to the test (and PASS), maybe you'll be inspired to do the same. So, stick with me. Pull for me. Keep reading my posts through this very blog-worthy challenge. I assure you, there is a pointe to this.

-Brittany

Brittany doing great on her second day, second class.