LIFE

CUTTING A RUG: Passey increases fitness with dance

Brian Passey

I’m panting. As I stop to catch my breath I make a realization: Just one month ago I would have been out of breath much earlier in the rehearsal.

Yes, I am still learning to dance. And although many readers probably perceive me as being in great physical shape because of my hiking column, it’s far from the truth.

My hiking column only runs twice a month. With as hectic as my life is lately, I really only get the chance to hike when I have a column due. That means I’m only hitting the trails about twice a month, not including my BackTrek charity hikes every other month.

And sadly those few hikes every month pretty much comprised my fitness routine until I started to learn to dance.

While I’m not running every morning or hitting the gym every evening, I am working out a little more than usual because of the dance lessons. In case you missed my first column on the subject, I’m learning to dance for Dancing With Your Community Stars, a fundraiser for the Washington County Children’s Justice Center on March 21 at Snow Canyon High School.

As I wrote in that first column, I am not a dancer. I’ve never enjoyed it and I feel as if I look awkward when attempting. But this is for a good cause and my girlfriend really likes to dance, so I’m doing it for her as well.

About six weeks ago I first met my dance partner/instructor, Tiffany Barnes of Red Rock Swing Dance. We decided we would perform the Lindy Hop. Then she informed me that we might do some stunts that would require physical strength and gently suggested I should start working out.

So I got back in my routine of pushups and stomach crunches. Well, it’s kind of a routine. I don’t remember to do it every day. And while it’s not a major cardio-style exercise like running or cycling, it helps build up that endurance a bit.

Still, by the time we met for our first rehearsal in January, I was breathing hard within minutes and we weren’t really doing all that much. I soon realized I was out of shape and it’s not as easy to get back in shape is it was when I was younger. Now that I’m in my mid-30s, everything seems to hurt more.

I also realized just how important stretching can be. I should probably stretch a little before hiking but I rarely do. For dancing, however, it’s a must. A couple of times now I’ve slightly pulled a muscle when I didn’t stretch properly before my rehearsal.

Wednesday night was my most physically demanding practice yet. Not only was it a cardio workout with all the footwork, there was also quite a bit of upper-body moves that made me realize I really need to be more consistent with those pushups, and maybe even add in some pull-ups for good measure.

Still, I was surprised that I didn’t get winded until the end of our two-hour rehearsal. I guess that means my endurance is improving.

However, dancing requires much more than physical strength and endurance. In fact, the mental aspect of dancing is the most challenging part for me. Not only do I have to remember the footwork, the choreography also requires me to move my head, arms and torso in certain ways. It’s kind of like that whole patting your head while rubbing your stomach thing — it’s mentally taxing.

Another mental challenge for me is the simple act of performing. I’ll admit I have stage fright. In recent years I’ve become more comfortable with public speaking, but public performing is another thing entirely. Even this has improved, though. I still have not danced in front of a large group but we have had a few observers at our rehearsals and I’m starting to feel a little better about the performance aspect.

So I guess it’s all coming along. While I’m still not where I need to be physically for our routine, I’m getting there. Even my irregular pushup routine is showing results.

I actually caught myself flexing in front of the mirror the other day and wasn’t horrified at what I saw. With age 40 only a few years away, it could be worse. But I never thought I would have dance to thank for that.

If you want to see the results of my work as I dance alongside Linda Baker, Carl Lamar, Sheriff Cory Pulsipher, Donna Smith, Carmen Snow and Kathy Tolleson and our professional dance partners, the show begins at 7 p.m. March 21 at Snow Canyon High School, 1385 Lava Flow Drive, St. George.

Tickets for this fundraiser are $15. They are available online at cjcwc.com, by calling the Washington County Children’s Justice Center at 435-634-1134 or in person at The Spectrum, 275 E. St. George Boulevard, St. George. You can also purchase tickets directly from any of the performers, including me.

Email Brian Passey at brian@thespectrum.com and follow him atFacebook.com/PasseyBrian or on Twitter and Instagram,@BrianPassey.

If you go

Dancing With Your Community Stars

• When: 7 p.m. March 21

• Where: Snow Canyon High School, 1385 Lava Flow Drive, St. George.

• Tickets: $15. They are available online at www.cjcwc.com, by calling the Washington County Children’s Justice Center at 435-634-1134 or in person at The Spectrum, 275 E. St. George Boulevard, St. George. You can also purchase tickets directly from any of the performers.