 Today was a near magical day in my clogging class. Think two hours of non-stop (except for very short water breaks) dancing, working on three different dances, but one that has won my heart. To "Two Girls from Galax" (sounds very Irish to me), this number is a formation dance (like Riverdance) with dancers moving in different directions, moving from rows into circles, splitting into separate circles, then coming back together again into one with a number of other elements thrown in for good measure. A great time was had by all including - I must point out - the 80-85 year old ladies who stayed the entire time, clogging their feet off. They are absolutely extraordinary and so humble about their amazing ability and stamina. A friend recently asked me what makes the clogging experience so unique for me beyond the obvious (it's a great form of dancing). Without having to think even a second, I said, "It's the people!" I thought more about this and realized that the reason the dancers are so great is very simple: there is a complete absence of ego in class. This is evident in three ways: 1. No one is looking at anyone else to see what they are doing. Everyone is focused on their own dancing. And we are all smiling during the entire class. 2. The more experienced cloggers are the first to welcome the newer cloggers to the group. They are welcoming, supportive, and so kind. No advice is offered, but if you ask a question, they are happy to help without being preachy or demeaning. They simply love clogging and want new cloggers to share that love too. 3. There is lots and lots of laughter. We laugh when we make mistakes, there is great hoopla when someone learns something new, we are able to congratulate ourselves as a group when we do a dance and get it right. After 120 minutes of flat-out fun, I left class feeling like I had learned something new, fun, and pretty darn fancy! As I was leaving, one of the older (she's 81), excellent dancers said to me, "You are doing so well." I was on Cloud Nine as I walked out of class. For the first time, I feel I can call myself a clogger! Yipee! You can use this link to hear the music Two Girls from Galax. http://new.music.yahoo.com/nashville-mandolin-ensemble/tracks/two-girls-from-galax--30708908 Clog on! |
A Great Ride Through the Last Third of My Life.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Something Wonderful!
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"Begone! You have no power here!"
My Role Model
"Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore."
A great line with universal application
Whimsical Karen
It is GREAT music. Glad you like it. I wish I could clog every day because I would. And, it's so easy to do; just grab my shoes, drive to Auburn and jump into class. I think of myself now more as a clogger because I'm a better clogger than I will EVER be a skater. Progress in clogging doesn't move in geological time as it does in skating. That's one of the aspects of dance form that I really like.
ReplyDeleteI SO appreciate your honesty about my attempted European three turns!
Loved having coffee to celebrate your b-day, albeit a bit late. You are Ms. Positive in my life, without a doubt.