The Hot Seat

On the IPOD "Cater 2 U" by: Destiny's Child

So as some of you know by my facebook post, I took a workshop last night called "The Hot Seat."

"A how-to "playshop" using two chairs, YOU, and some spicy, sexy moves. You provide the moxie! This practical and fun lesson will challenge every fitness level, and modifications are available for every beautiful body type. You'll leave with a routine that you can keep in your back pocket, knowing you have some wicked new skills."

I have to tell you that it took me a full week to sign up for the class. I thought about it and thought about it and finally decided that if anything it would be a great blog so I just dove in head first I guess. All day I kind of got myself excited about it...I picked out some super cute red heels with bows on the toes and did my hair so it would be super flippable! And then all of the sudden 7:15 came around and I definitely had little butterflies in my stomach, but as soon as I walked into the studio most of my fears just left.... The other girls were all sweet and nice and most importantly they were all "real" girls some skinny some not so much. I might have been the chubbiest but it wasn't so much so that I felt uncomfortable. The interesting thing was that I kinda felt like I was safe, like I was on my home court...I take Nia at this studio 3-4 times a week and it somehow feels like home.

We started off the class sitting in chairs in a circle (think AA meeting). Clarissa the instructor told us a little bit about her life...She told us where she came from and how she started as a fitness instructor and how she felt like exotic dance lessons could give girls self esteem and help them, kind of like therapy, move past some of their intimate issues and how it would make them feel strong and confident. We then went around the room and said our name, the type of music we call our "Home" and why we were there. So again like therapy...

"My name is Amanda. My home music is definitely indie although I really like all music. And I'm here because I have battled my weight my entire life and I started writing a blog last year and I promised myself that I would try new things and find out who I am outside of my weight and I also have fertility issues and have been feeling pretty ungirly lately (at this point I started tearing, up got to love a cryer) and I thought I needed a boost!" (see they didn't know how good at therapy I am .....)

The entire class kind of looked at me in awe... It's as if I have taken an honesty pill... Oh well it's the new me everyone better get used to it...

After that we started class. Each of us took our positions next to our chairs, put our heels on and started learning how to move our bodies. I kept thinking, look at you Amanda you can kinda do this... By the end of the class I had moved in ways that I didn't think was possible. I learned how to do a "Cobra" and a "Body Dive." And more importantly I felt confident and pretty and ready for more! The class was serious but it was also fun and funny at times...It felt a little sad leaving these women that I had shared such an intimate experience with...

After I left the first thing I did was tell me mom that she should be glad that I was not a skinny teenager because more than likely I would have ended up on the pole! She laughed! I headed home and had about an hour before Mike got here. I thought what a good time to practice...I did the whole routine and felt so proud of myself that I did it and that I actually remembered it. I don't know that I'm necessarily ready to show it to my husband yet, I think I'm going to keep this to myself for a little bit.

I will be taking more exotic dance lessons...for me!!! My advise for you is to try it...Find a reputable company here in Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston look up http://www.zensualdance.com/ . Just try it, it might changes your life! Also if you are interested in Nia classes in your area go to http://www.nianow.com/ .

xoxo chef a