A fun fact that I often forget to include on my occasional “Fun Facts About Me” lists is that I did gymnastics for six years when I was younger. It wasn’t like Olympic gymnastics—I took classes at a local dance studio, so I did learn the basics and took part in yearly recitals, but I wasn’t out there on a balance beam or doing Simone Biles-style routines. I also took a couple months of jazz classes before quitting; one of the few things I’ve ever quit in my life.

It’s safe to say I’ve been in retirement for 15 years, but I can still count music on an eight count, and do a cartwheel, so I haven’t lost all of my magic. Then enter me working from home full-time and needing to get out of the condo.

I’m friends with my old gymnastics teacher on Facebook, and she posted that she’d be teaching a weekly jazz and hip-hop dance class at a yoga and dance studio. I went back through her old posts and saw she also taught classes last summer into the fall. I looked up the studio, which is about 20 minutes away, and brought up the idea with Josh later that night: “I have something to talk to you about and it’s nothing bad and I know as soon as I tell you, you’ll tell me to do it.” And I was right.

I messaged her the next day saying I was interested in the class, if any experience was necessary, and what she suggested for shoes. (I used to have the proper dance shoes but obviously got rid of them years ago when I stopped gymnastics/dance.) She was so excited to hear from me, said I definitely had experience already, and that she might have an extra pair of used jazz shoes I could use.

As of this typing, I’ve been to two classes already, and I really like it! It’s structured as a “drop-in” class but I think most of the same people are usually there; a few people have been missing because of sickness or other things, so there have been different people in each class. The teacher was so excited to see me in person, and I think I fell in pretty well with her teaching style again.

The class includes stretching and strengthening, practicing certain dance moves and turns (yes, they’re called turns and not spins; I said spins in class last week and got yelled at 😅), and learning short dance combinations. There are some things I just stumble through because I either haven’t done the move in a really long time or my mind just can’t figure out which way to turn on the correct foot. But it’s still fun; I’m working on giving myself some grace and just enjoying the time.

The classes continue through February into March, and I think there might be some sort of showcase in March that we’d participate in at the studio. When I told my mom I was taking classes again, she asked if it would lead to a recital; I said no but I’m sure if people can be invited to the showcase she’ll come. (When I used to take gymnastics classes, she’d cause “trouble” and cheer very loudly for me at recitals.)

I’m happy I decided to try something new and put myself out there, plus it gives me something to look forward to on Wednesdays to break up the week. So if you need me, I’ll be practicing my turns in my socks on the kitchen hardwood floor while I’m making dinner.