Learn to dance

“What was dance class like? My father drove me to the studio. I’d enter the cool dressing room and change into my leotard. I loved its smooth feeling against my skin. Then the class lined up. I stayed in the back to follow another student. The teacher led us in warm-up exercises. Music played. We sat down and spread our legs apart and bounced up and down. We knelt down and brought our arms around in a circle, like a windmill. We stood up and did a routine of kicks and bends and steps. It moved too fast for me, but I tried to do it.”

“In my first hip-hop class, I felt so lost. With every new move I was asked to try, it felt like my brain and body were having a back-and-forth conversation saying, “You want me to do what? Hips in a circle? huh?” I gave it my best, and two people came up to me after and genuinely told me, “You did great” and “I love your energy.” I was grateful to them, and it mattered. Also, after that class, I felt good, really good.”