My Dance Room

I'm so happy to finally be able to post about my dance room! 

Growing up, I was a dancer. I took dance classes since I was 3 and barely out of diapers and began competing a few years later. 

I will be the first one to tell you-I am not good according to dance standards. My body is NOT made for dancing. My feet turn in, my knees are always bent. My legs, hips, and feet won't do what they are supposed to-I was practically born with deformed hips and had to have my right hip completely reconstructed. Trust me when I say, I wasn't born to be a dancer. 

But that didn't matter to me. I love dancing. It is my absolute favorite thing to do. I cant help it but feel the need to move, especially when a song comes on that makes me see the music. 

When I was growing up, I used to blast the radio and dance like a maniac in my room and that carried over to when I had my own apartments in my 20's where I would dance like a fool in the bathroom. (I have never admitted that to anyone until now!) Yes, slightly pathetic, but I couldn't help but find a way to dance. I have always thought how cool it would be to have my own "dance room" and figured when I grew up, I would find a way to make a "real" dance room. 

In addition to my love of dance, I started taking pole dance classes sporadically while I was living in Florida for grad school. When I moved back home, I took classes in this area as well, but again, would go sporadically. I would go for a few weeks and then stop again. And then, a few years ago, Ryan got and installed a pole for me in the basement at our last house. For my birthday this year, he gave me the ultimate dream present: my own dance room, complete with the pole. 

Since our basement has pretty low ceilings, we mad the decision to build the room in the garage where the ceilings are much higher and there is generally more room. 

We started with this: 

Ryan began by clearing out the back section of the garage on my side. I am forgoing my ability to park in the garage for the dance space. He then installed recess lights. After that, he cleaned the walls, ceiling, and piping and then painted the area with some left over paint from the bedroom and living room. We did get some white paint specifically for the ceiling area though. Then, he laid down some floors and installed the pole. 

Right now, I have the mirrors just propped up against the wall for the time until I can get the proper brackets to go into the concrete wall. 

It is pretty freaking awesome. since I found a new studio that is close to both home and my new job, I started taking classes regularly. (Wahoo-a 101 in 1001 goal!) Also, I have been using my dance room regularly and have now officially mastered a trick that I have been working towards since I started! (Yep, another 101 in 1001 goal!) I believe it is called the Gemini, but not totally sure. Although it is far from the most flattering photograph (I am holding my breath while upside down!), I was really proud of myself for finally figuring out how to do this with only one leg. 

Gemini

That's all I got for now, but if you are following along with my 101 in 1001 list, I can now cross off three more items on my list (build the dance room, go to pole classes regularly, and master a new trick) and add another $15.00 to my savings account. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Questions for you:

What has been the best birthday gift you have ever received?