Dance and Dogs, Surrey, BC

"I always wanted to dance, but growing up on a farm in rural Quebec – that just wasn't going to happen! I did manage to slide into the Arts and spent the next 35 years Stage Managing for Theatre and later Set Decorating in Film. A few years ago I got a new dog and wanted to do something different with her. I came across "Canine Freestyle", aka Dancing with Dogs. Most of the people involved are women who love to dance but can't get their husbands to join them so they turn to a four-legged partner!

It takes a long time to train the dogs and for the first few years you just move around the floor (hopefully in time to the music!) getting your dog to do tricks on cue. Last fall, I decided it was time to up my game; my dog could do things, now I had to learn how to move. So, I hit the Internet in search of someone who could teach an old klutz how to dance! 

 
Lucky Karen - I found the Just For You Wellness Studio! I started by taking a few Zumba classes and really enjoyed them. Then, Karen gave me some Private lessons to help me learn some of the steps – I'm still pretty uncoordinated, but it is coming. I took the Video Vixen class with Kayla over the winter – more lack of coordination, but somehow, it didn't matter anymore! Along the way, I started to lose some of my inhibitions, and feel healthier, too! Karen and I are now choreographing a Swing routine for me and my dog. It will take both of us (my dog and I, not Karen!) the better part of a year to learn, but I'm determined to work hard and pull it off with some pizazz!

My dogs and I have a pretty major role in my Club's Theatrical production this November, 'Shadows of Eternity' (at the 1000 seat Bell Performing Arts Centre - shameless plug!) At the costume fittings, I did not like what I saw; too much middle aged 'real estate' around the middle! So, after whining to Karen about it, I joined Early Riser's Bootcamp. I'm in my second week and already I think I can see results. (If I'm deluding myself - please don't tell me!) Next week, I'm going to try some Yoga, the Dance Sampler, and maybe the Nutrition workshop.

I would say it was a pretty worthwhile Google search that I did last year! I'm hoping this is a lifestyle change that I can stick with." – Lin