I wish my dance class at the UW dance department was in-person. But SMH covid. However, the online dance class has been pretty fun actually (even though we can’t do grand jetes, and pirouettes on the carpet is rough).
I was so happy when UW reopened the IMA (intramural activities building, AKA: the gym) with 5-person-limited in-person recreational classes.
There are classes such as street jazz, barre, core, HIIT etc.
On the day the registration opened, I stayed up past midnight to guarantee a spot at the modern dance class. I was so desperate to dance on an actual floor and in front of a mirror again.
What the in-person studio class looks like
I was pretty sure the IMA gym’s reservations were booked out. However, it felt so quiet and eerie walking through the first floor (well technically the second) to get to the studio.
I enter the brightly lit studio room. There is a cart with a lap top in the center. In front of it is a tripod with a camera. There are big bright lights in the corners of the room to provide better lighting for those joining the class over zoom.
The floor is taped up, dividing the room into 6 rectangles, each with a taped X. The five of us set our stuff aside and select a “box” to stand in.
The instructor stands at the front of the room, directly in front of the camera. She wears airpods so Zoomers can hear her instructions better. The spotfiy playlist link is also shared so they can follow along. In the room, the music plays really loudly because I guess it’s hard for the instructor to hear.
The atmosphere feels a bit weird and everyone in the room seems slightly uncomfortable.
The modern dance class itself
I appreciate the effort put into making this class possible, so I don’t want to be too harsh. After the first class, I decided to try it out for a second time before writing this. My feelings about the class are still the same.
It is really boring.
There’s this saying:
“Please all, and you will please none”
Aesop
The class is super duper beginner friendly. Dance technique involved is almost none. The hardest thing was probably staying balanced while doing attitude swings. The instructor explains that she wants to make this class doable for people of all levels.
The first 35 minutes are cardio movements and light stretches with a wee bit of ballet elements.
Details
- Mini plies in first and second position, and then lunge over
- Little sways back and forth and stand on one foot
- Tendus and hold
- Swing arms and roll the back.
At this point, I am so bored.
In the first class, the last 15 minutes is listen to the gentle music and just dance. SO I start going at it. I feel a bit self-conscious considering I was right next to the huge glass windows, where there are a bunch of people playing sand volleyball outside.
I may look really stupid but it feels nice.
In the second class, all that beginning stuff is exactly the same. I just keep checking the time because I am bored out of my mind. In the last 10 minutes, we learn a short combo. It’s still veryyy beginner friendly.
Again, I think the instructor is doing a great job and the best she can, given the circumstances. This class is suitable for people who just want to do some mild cardio for an hour with dance elements.
I am trying the street jazz class this upcoming week. We’ll see how that goes.