Learning to shut up and be grateful.

It was bound to happen. Especially after an hour tango class, another hour practicing and watching the intermediate class, and then 2 hours of practica. Fast forward through dinner and short nap, to milonga the same night. I managed to dance in the endorphin buzz until just about midnight.

And then Piazzolla. *sigh* I was too tired, and I knew it. But I couldn't resist Piazzolla - plus I would be dancing with one of my instructors, so I knew I was in good hands.

All of perhaps 8 steps into the dance, my body just stopped. I tried to pivot, swivel for an ocho - and just couldn't. I locked up. At first, since there wasn't any pain, I was just bewildered, tried to keep going and walk it out. But anything that involved turning my hips just wouldn't happen. Frustrated, I made it through the one song, apologized profusely to my very patient (and probably somewhat confused) instructor, and made it back to my chair. As soon as I sat down, ironcially, the pain started. I was frustrated, embarassed. And then had to remind myself I'd been dancing almost 7 hours that day. I should have been elated, not embarrased. I should have been grateful to my body for giving me so much of the day without any pain at all.

So I pulled myself together, silently thanked my body for a lovely day, changed shoes, (thanked my instructor again for the dance and for his patience) and called it a night.

Dance till the stars come down from the rafters
Dance, Dance, Dance till you drop.
~W.H. Auden