REFRAMING REST.
AND FITTING IN THE WEEKLY SHOP.
I have a dodgy ankle that gives me grief when I do too much high-impact stuff. And when it gives me grief, it gets me down. Dancing is painful, I feel shit at it, and I start to panic about the future.
So, when I take class for myself, sometimes I sit out of certain exercises. And through chats with 2 of our dancers (one who lives with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and one who’s health issues mean some exercises are off-limits), I’ve been thinking a lot about reframing the ’sitting out’ experience.
Firstly, let’s dump the term ’sitting out’. Because, when you opt out of a specific activity rarely are you JUST SITTING. Most likely you’re WATCHING your pals dance! Maybe you’re quietly getting to know someone new, who's also taking a moment. Or maybe you’re stretching/doing some other movement that benefits you (i.e. the dreaded physio exercises).
I actually choose to leave my Monday morning ballet class 10min before the end, because I know doing the jumps will screw me up for the rest of the week. Instead, I head off early and do my food shop. And I feel really good about that! I enjoy my class, I don’t end in pain and I live a more stress-free week because I had time to go to Tesco.
I’m not sitting out. I’m getting what I need from class and making it work for me.
Secondly, there are some GORGEOUS benefits of experiencing class in a different way.
It’s a privilege to be able to watch other people dance. To witness adults learning and progressing. Plus when you experience class in this way, you have the chance to play a different role in your group. You can HELP people. Working with others to figure out tricky moves (VERY handy in floorwork!). You feel good, are still a part the class AND understand the movement more (plus your classmates are grateful!)
And you know what you can also do when not dancing? REST. And...you know that’s okay right? It doesn’t make you weak or incapable. And it doesn’t mean you won’t be able to join in later, or do the exercise next week. It just means that the most fulfilling option for you in that moment is to rest. Feel empowered to make that choice.
Dance Class is a team sport. We all participate in our own way. And we’re all part of the same team.