Step-By-Step

RELEASE finally came together last Saturday at Lotus Dance Studio. With six girls in attendance, the preview session began with Pratibha revealing RELEASE’s first routine. It was a routine spiced with the elegant sways, footwork and dramatic leaps of classical Indian dance.

After seeing Pratibha perform this dance with the greatest of ease, my eyes and jaws were wide open, exposing my panicking mind that was exclaiming: “She wants ME to do THAT?! Is she crazy?!”

Soon after, my anxious thoughts were followed by “Ok, calm down, Marie. The routine was feminine, cool, and inspiring. (Pause.) Heyyyy, I want to learn it too!”

And so I began nervous but ready to learn step-by-step. The beginning was easy and soothing, clearing my thoughts and preparing me to be concentrated for the footwork ahead. After several failed attempts to get the beats to make sense, they finally clicked and I thought“I am actually doing classical Indian dance. This is awesome!” The next part was the leap – the group practiced this several times before connecting it with rest of the routine. I was close to getting it. Nevertheless, the jumping was fun, and truly allowed me to be in control of the moment.

As the session concluded, I reflected upon my initial disbelief that I could not do what Pratibha proposed us six girls in beginning. Yet I had disproven myself and had completed RELEASE’s first routine. The accomplishment left me excited and dancing my way down the street.

- - Marie