It's all about PERSPECTIVE

Yesterday, I randomly decided to look back to my dance videos from the Prodigy Program. If you are unfamiliar with the Prodigy Program, it is an intense dance program facilitated by one of NYC's greatest , Jerry Curls Paulino. This had been my 2nd Prodigy program, and my experience was much different than the first. In the first Prodigy, it was much smaller and in the summer. The amount of time dedicated and the amount of things I needed to get done in my life during that program allowed for me to practice the choreography. This second round was much different! When I enrolled myself, I immediately said why did I do this to myself: I have work stress, parental duties that stress me, a home to maintain and my Master's Program is VERY demanding. All of that while trying to maintain a social life and be available for the few friends I have.

So back to talking about why I created this post! Because I was so busy, I really tried to push myself through this program in various ways. More than HALF the time I was TIRED, there were many times I didn't feel like going to class because all I wanted to do was lay in bed and do nothing or watch TV. I also played around with "looks" as a motivating factor to get me excited for the class despite the low energy levels. Building a teacher/student relationship with Jerry allowed me to be motivated as he often pushed me in this program that I could do it, which I appreciated. One of the reasons I love Jerry's program is because he focuses on the same choreography for 2 classes and depending on how the class performs, at times he will opt to have it filmed for us (Which we all LOVE!). So to give you the backstory of this video, it goes like this:

This choreography was taught in the last week of the 4-week program. I had missed the first class because of having an overwhelming day at work. Then I was late (about 20 minutes) to the second class for reasons I do not remember right now. When I arrived, Jerry was going over parts of the choreography that was taught in the class I missed. I immediately tried to retain and learn the steps by seeing the girls and Jerry. Other girls were also late and Jerry advised that we needed to pick up the steps as best we can, he was moving forward with new choreography and said to treat it like an Audition. --- Immediately my mind went into work mode because not only did I have to learn new choreography but also manage to learn all the choreography I missed from the last class ( I was STRESSED). Not a bad stressed though because I was picking it up pretty quickly. Instead the thing that stressed me in this class, was my choice of CLOTHES.

In this prodigy I played with my looks, and I had a lot of fun. Because of my body type I've always struggled with cute FUNCTIONAL dance outfits. So as you can see my outfit was not entirely GIVING for this choreography. I found myself having to constantly fix my pants, while trying to learn moves and it took away the focus of the process. I was able to pull through but it was an ADDED-ON factor to the situation. I am aware that the appropriate clothing should be activewear for activities like these, but again I repeat --- I was playing with looks, checking out what kinds of clothing I can move in, for future concept videos. THIS OUTFIT WAS NOT IT.

I did not find this video Instagram worthy, although for the most part I don't mind and sometimes prefer to post my IMPERFECT videos. There was too much going on in this video for me, from my outfit messing up my look (My bodysuit showing was not exactly the look I was going for), and then not accentuating the steps like I know I can. Also I butchered a couple of steps, I knew I could do better. I was hoping that in the next and last class, Jerry would go over this dance one more time, like he did in the week prior. He did not. In the last class he asked us to perform the dance one more time and then moved on with another fun activity.

Yesterday, I look back to the video and my thoughts on the video have changed. As I continue to go through my motions of stress in life, I have gotten over the whole stress of the outfit and am #feelingmyself for still giving a GOOD performance despite all that was going on at that point in time of my life. This class was on February 19, 2022. I now not only I think this video is Instagram worthy, but Blog worthy! It really is all about PERSPECTIVE ya'll!