I’m going through ballroom withdrawal. It’s been almost two weeks since my last lesson with Teacher. I did have a social dance lesson with Teacher’s friend almost a week ago. But since then, I’ve been travelling and all the non-routine activity makes it seem like ages since I last danced. My next lesson is hopefully this coming Friday, but I still need to confirm with Teacher.

Embassy Ball was also this week; it’s the world championships for those competing under the NDCA and WDC. I haven’t been able to compete there yet, though it’s on my list. I had actually scheduled my travel during this week on purpose. When I’m unable to participate in an event, I’m always torn between wanting to be there to support those who are participating and enjoy watching the dancing and wanting to distance myself to avoid feeling left out or “ballroom poor.” Sometimes just not being there is easier. It sounds a little self-centered, focusing on my feelings rather than being present to support my fellow dancers. I blame the demons and I’m working on it.

I didn’t really avoid the competition though. Ballroom friends posted photos and updates on Facebook. Ballroom Viking kept me updated on his own dancing (2nd place in the silver smooth scholarship!). It didn’t help the withdrawal, but I also couldn’t help checking back in to see what the latest updates were. A lot of people I know danced really well and came out as world champions or at least world champion finalists! Way to go, everyone!

I also want to give a shout-out to the Ballroom Villagers who danced in the last couple weeks!  I love reading about your trials and victories at your competitions. You all rock!

Meanwhile, in the last couple of my own non-dancing days, my body has started to throw a tantrum. It may be the bed I’m sleeping in, but my back has been full of kinks and a knot between my shoulder and neck that never really goes away flared up so much that I can’t stretch my neck to the left!

I’ve noticed that with any major physical activity, you “use it or lose it.” If you exercise regularly, whether it’s ballroom dancing or something else, if you stop, you lose the muscle strength, elasticity, etc. a lot faster than you gained it. I’ve definitely experienced this loss with my stretching. When I’ve been really good about stretching every day and then start slacking off to every other day or every two days, my progress stalls or reverses a little.

So if I do get a lesson on Friday, it will be interesting to see how well I can dance! Of course, I know I should have been better about finding time to do a little stretching and/or dance practice while travelling, but hindsight is 20/20 and now I’m just hoping the knot in my neck loosens before I have to get on another airplane! You can trust that I’ll be making time to stretch in the next few days before that flight!

I did get to channel one of my favorite dancers briefly on a walk though! It was raining and there was a lamp post. Need I say more?