a pregnant dancer

on being in the sfdc studios & performing again:

for the last month my tango teachers have been blessing european tango communities with their charm, beauty & skill. so with my extra free nights in the week i signed up for a fusion dance performance workshop {taught by the diva of delight, jenni}. in 4 weeks time, 20 dancers went from nothingness to a complete 7 minute piece that we got to perform before a live audience, twice. {this is all because jenni has vision and skill and perserverence, just so you know}. it was a challenging and fun experience to not only perform with a group again but to do it while in the middle of pregnancy. i got a bit frustrated that i couldn't jump as high or balance as long or get up off the floor as easily as my pre-baby-bump body, but for the most part i was really happy with the results. i even did a few partner lifts and had much better stamina than i expected. i was asked by several people if i should be doing all that while in my condition. i suppose the thought crossed my mind a little, but not long enough to stop me. i am a dancer. that is what i do ~ it's one of my greatest passions & joys. so why should i not continue it even if i am gestating? besides, i really think the little peach liked it too. the music, the movement, the positive energy i was flowing. so i'm glad i did it and am planning to continue dancing until i literally can't any more.
{that's me on the far left arching back, and in the photo on the right i'm the one almost in the middle of the clump of dancers pulling on that high leg while looking down at the ground}

on being back into the tango vida:

{gorgeous image by smooth}

with the performance workshop over and a week break for work & vegas reasons, now this week i've jumped right back into tango. and none too soon. ney & jennifer are back with more vitality than ever and even though i'm a bit bigger than last time they saw me, i still felt like a shining star in their capable tango hands. i've enjoyed happy reunions with my tango community friends ~ lots of belly rubs and comments like "wow you can still move that beautifully in 4 inch heels?". why yes, surprisingly, i can. sure the balance is a little off, but the strength and muscle memory is there ~ and i think my musical connection is stronger than ever. the senses are much more heightened during pregnancy, so perhaps that has something to do with it. i was worried that my embrace might be off, what with a little someone now very much between my partner and me, but that fear was unfounded. maybe for the leads to dance with me it feels kind of like how it feels for we followers when we dance with a man who has a big gut? it's not like you can't form a great embrace and walk with ease even if there is a bit more between you than with other partners. at any rate, tangoing again feels incredible, and i dare say there may be a new tango angel on the horizon ~ thank heaven's.

{my dear friend seth & i dancing at a wedding}

{all photos of me dancing taken by jendita}