Not Your Grandma’s Dance Class

Story by Amanda Gervasi

The thought of an organized dance class tends to make me cringe. Poised, slender figures floating the room with perfect grace is an image describing all that I am not: namely, disciplined. Lucky for those like me, dance doesn’t have to mean militant strictness, zero percent body fat, or cutthroat, bloodthirsty gangs of competitive rich girls hoping to maim you for the top spot.

…okay, so maybe I’ve watched one too many movies.

As luck may have it, right here in Maine we have the type of dance studios that also aim to eradicate these fears. When the focus is shifted from perfection to letting loose and accepting yourself and your body for precisely what they are, there’s a much more valuable lesson to be learned: confidence.

I walked/tiptoed into Casco Bay Movers lugging a suitcase of outdated childhood fears.  I registered for the hip-hop class and couldn’t help but assume that I was about to become the hippo among a handful of Beyoncés. Meg Hall, the instructor, welcomed me with genuine warmth and reassurance that this Saturday class was more about shaking off the stresses of the week and was suitable for all levels. She was so contagiously energetic and sunny that I found it nearly impossible to feel awkward.

Several huge, naturally-lit rooms with mirrored walls make up this popular studio which hosts a myriad of different class flavors including jazz, ballet, modern and even yoga. The hip-hop class was fun, fast-paced (but not overwhelmingly so), and it simply felt good to kick off the weekend by shaking it to loud music in an accepting space. The jury is still out on the hippo thing, but as it turned out, I didn’t care. This class left me walking a little taller, but proved I needed to up my game for the next adventure.

Burlesque. Fishnets, high-heels, cleavage, booty, and a smoldering stare.

These were my expectations when I registered for a Beginner Burlesque class at Red Hot and Ladylike and, well, that’s what I got. Sexy but without a hint of pretentiousness, owner and instructor Melissa “Miss E” Cloutier keeps the mood sultry and the jokes rolling. There were ladies dressed in full sexpot garb while others chose comfortable, workout appropriate attire.

The routine was smooth, slow and loose enough to inject your own flair into the mix. Ages in the class ranged from 21 to over 50, which speaks to the welcoming atmosphere that Miss E has achieved. She reiterated that the class aims to help students work and love the body they have, not the body they wish they had.

Although belly dance was the next on my list, class scheduling was not working in my favor. In the arena of body acceptance, I’ve heard rave reviews about belly dance and there are some stand-out local studios to try. Coming from a non-dancer and a terribly ungraceful human, to say that I felt a new sense of satisfaction after these introductory classes is pretty revelatory.

Now, to find some fishnets…

WHERE TO GET YOUR DANCE ON:

Casco Bay Movers

Covering a wide variety of classes including hip-hop, jazz, modern, ballet, tap, acrobatics, yoga etc., Casco Bay Movers boasts experienced instructors and an expansive, welcoming space. A separate 2014 Kids/Teen and Adult class schedule is available on the company.

website at:

Red Hot and Ladylike

Here for you to get your sexy on, Red Hot and Ladylike wants you to feel great about the skin you’re in. Choose from burlesque, go-go, hip-hop, Dubstep, or even In Da Club for men. No dance experience is necessary, so come try a class and reignite the self-love flame! Full schedule available at:

Zabel Belly Dance

Word has reached my ears that Zabel is a fantastic introduction to the art of belly dancing. Accepting all levels of experience, Zabel not only aims to instruct, but also to empower women and promote confidence through movement.

+ zabelbellydance.com