I NEVER make New Year’s resolutions, but I LOVE making goals. Even though the specific goals change every year, they do tend to revolve around the same themes: working out, making time for family and friends, practicing self care, expressing myself fully with confidence.
This year is no different. This year’s goals follow the same themes: getting better at surfing so I can feel like I “shred” LOL (surfing was a longtime dream of mine that I started doing a year ago); setting consistent date nights with my husband and girls night with my friends; taking time every morning for meditation and journaling; being brave and putting myself out there more to perform.
No matter how the specific goals change, I’m always reminded how FLAMENCO COVERS ALL OF THESE- health, community, self care, confidence.
Of course, I’m preaching to the choir here, because you already know how flamenco feeds your soul. You know that flamenco is more than learning a new dance form.
Just by consistently going to flamenco class you cover MOST of the themes of New Year’s resolutions and goals.
1. GET IN SHAPE
Flamenco builds the core muscles for stability. It builds endurance. It’s great cardio- either mild or high intensity. It tones your body all around. Keep in mind, though, that you need to WORK IT in class. If you don’t feel your muscles engaged, you need to picture me poking your abs, your back, your arms. That will get you engaged and sweating!
2. MAKE NEW FRIENDS / BUILD COMMUNITY
People who come to my classes make good friends with people just like them- crazy flamenco aficionados! What’s not to love about that? It’s a good environment to be around your peeps. Even the women who join my Online Flamenco Studio become a part of a vibrant community through our private Facebook group. It’s important to maintain these relationships and bond.
3. WORK THE BRAIN TO STAY YOUNG
You learn how to stay focused and present in the moment. If you’re in class and you space out on “what’s for dinner” then you become lost! Learning choreography also works your memory and gives you a mental workout. It’s like working a puzzle of patterns and sequences. This is especially true of all the dual coordination movements – hands with footwork and head, etc.
4. BUILD CONFIDENCE
You build your confidence as you become physically stronger from your practice but also as you learn new aspects of yourself within the dance. Facing yourself in front of the mirror at every class, you see your own progress and you realize that it only happens through consistency.
5. REDUCE STRESS
I often get to class exhausted from a full day of parenting and other duties. But the stress just melts away once I’m in the studio, breathing, moving, sweating. It feels fantastic being able to let go and unleash within the dance.
How does flamenco fit into YOUR New Year’s resolution?
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