Dance for Me

by Cheng-Ling Chen — November 23, 2007

Inside the dim S studio, I inhale deeply as it's my turn to dance. Face down on the floor with arms sheltering my head, I am locked up. When my song starts, I close my eyes, waiting to see where my body wants to take me today. For a moment, I think the song will keep me here, wrapping me tighter into myself on the floor. I hear the words of Rafiki by Zap Mama, a Belgian music group known for its African infused beats.

Sit down here and tell me a story
When you're with friends no need to hurry
No more rush
No more haste
No more

Time to see sisters face to face
Time to talk time to breathe
I can believe I can believe

The lead singer's lyrical voice is soft, but there is a hint of mystery and strength that stirs me. The studio and everyone in it begin to melt away, and I make my way to standing.

My body swing-walks to the front pole and flies me around it. I hold on as she takes me up on the pole into a powerful inverted trick, the Snake Dive. As I slide down the pole head first, I am holding on with just my feet. Mid-flight, my arms are outstretched to embrace the air. My body takes her time gliding to the floor. Nor more rush. No more haste.

When she gets there, she crawls slowly like a poisonous spider. Arms and legs stretch in all directions as far as they can go. Without apology, my body is determined to take up as much space as she can. This pulling away of my limbs releases me, allowing me to let go of the tension I have held on all day, all week.

When the song ends, my classmates cheer. They shout and embrace me. They tell me that my journey, short as it was for three and a half minutes, was breathtaking to watch. I am grateful for these women, their encouragement, and this haven we share with each other. We quiet as another woman steps on to the dance floor. We brace ourselves as her fiery spirit awakens, whirling into shapes of beauty.

(For more articles related to the S, please click here.)