TEACHERS

Thursday, May 9, 2013

Kizomba and Spring

Springtime always makes me think of cherry blossoms and haikus.

I think its because when I was growing up, I loved reading manga and had crushes on some of the characters I read about and there was always something special about springtime and cherry blossoms.

All the cherry blossoms and wonderful weather in Seattle has inspired a kizomba haiku:

We walk relaxed, slow
Together we dance as one
A sweet close embrace

The adage "less is more" are words that resonate strongly with me so its no surprise to me that kizomba is a dance that resonates just as strongly with me. These same words can be applied to make kizomba hit that sweet spot every time you dance.

You know how there's a running joke with that other dance-aerobic (and NOT partner dance) form called zumba? Well, I tell people to think of the chant "ohm" while meditating - this dance is so chill its like meditating: so, its "kiz-ohm-ba".

As I continue to learn and teach this dance, I realize how much we relearn movements that our bodies would normally do when relaxed. It has taught me a lot about how my body works and how it works when dancing with someone else. I am constantly learning about what years of outside influences have done to make me (and others) forget what comes naturally.

This dance has a beautiful simplicity that many mistakenly view as easy. Walking with a relaxed stance, in close contact to someone, moving as one, is never quite as simple as it sounds.

Simple and relaxed, that's the key to achieve that kiz"ohm"ba moment.

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