On Monday night, Claire organized a group of us to try a new hip hop dance class in a dance studio downtown.
I was a dancer growing up, but my focus was on tap, jazz, and ballet, which have a lot of similarities. Hip hop is a tooooootally different ball game! Needless to say, we were all quite a bit nervous!
Our instructor was Edna-James, who told us right away that she was 68 years old and has been teaching hip hop for decades. She did a few quick moves for us, and girl can get dooown! She was great though, and she made the class very fun. There was about 10 of us total, and four in our group (our friend Mack joined us late!) We went through a warm up, floor exercises, and then learned a short routine.
As with any new activity, the first five minutes were totally awkward! I was embarrassed and laughing. But just like anything new you do in a group, I reminded myself no one cared what I looked like and relaxed into the moves.
I absolutely loved the class, especially the routine we learned to Liam Payne’s “Strip That Down.” (Love that song.) I caught on to the choreography quickly and danced well, but my hip hop style was lacking big time. I looked like a jazz dancer out there! Not to mention I am pregnant. LOL, have you seen anything more hilarious:
We are hoping to go back on a regular basis!
Afterwards, we had dinner at Monsoon where I got a delicious Pad Thai!
Have you ever taken a dance fitness class? My friend Diana takes them in NYC and sometimes posts videos of her class. They look so fun! I’m sure with practice I’ll get better at my style : )
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
Good luck on your hip hop journey! I took hip hop dancing classes for a few months when I was around 12… yeah, that was when I discovered that I cannot dance to save my life! Even now!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Kaci says
I have not taken a dance class but I have done buti yoga, which incorporates some fun dance style moves! There is booty popping, hip wiggling & you get down….I was nervous my 1st class but quickly the same as you stopped worrying about what I looked like & had so much fun!
KathEats says
That sounds so cool!
Kori says
I wish I had gone more with you and Sara! I love that you took this hip hop class, Kath! Looks so fun. Kaci and I also took a hip hop Barre3 style class last year that was so fun. I let go of my insecurities and just let my body move, and it felt awesome!
Linda @ the Fitty says
Dance is one of my favorite kind of movement activities and yet I don’t do it often enough. Thanks for reminding me that I should indulge in my creativity again! You go girl!
Suzanne says
I don’t know if you watch Bob’s Burgers, but this is what I thought of when you said hip hop. 😀 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nHNdes00Bco
KathEats says
Haha there were a lot of similarities!
Tonya says
You look like Larbs in that first pic! Only dance fitness class I take is Zumba. Some teachers are INTENSE!
Liz says
That sounds so fun!! I’m a Zumba fanatic. I used to take it 3-4 times a week until our YMCA started charging extra for it. Zumba Toning is my favorite of all. Different instructors make the class feel completely different, and it’s so fun to learn the choreography and then get better and better at the dances every week. Then you learn new ones and start all over again! I’d rather spend an hour at Zumba than doing any other form of exercise.
Sofi says
Pad Thai is one of my favorite noodle dishes, and I remember reading about avoiding bean sprouts while pregnant, unless they are thoroughly cooked. “According to the Food and Drug Administration, it’s not safe for pregnant women to eat raw sprouts. This includes all kinds of sprouts, including alfalfa, clover, radish, and mung bean sprouts. Here’s why: Bacteria – including Salmonella, Listeria, and E. coli – can get into sprout seeds through cracks in the shell.” Just sharing the information, no judgments made. Wishing you the best of luck with your pregnancy!
KathEats says
There are too many things to keep track of! This didn’t even cross my mind, but you’re right that they were bean sprouts.
Diana says
Aww wish I could have done class with you guys! I’ll have to visit! 😉 Or you can come see me! Love the Thai dinner after. Looks delish. Yum! 🙂