my korean techno pop dance party

so, i just joined a gym. finally. after i think maybe 8 years. but badkitty said it was good, and they have a lovely yoga class, so i decided to try it out. the first night i went, i thoughti'd bop around the gym a while before my yoga class started at 9 PM (yes! argh, so late!). and while i was doin' some sit ups, i noticed that an aerobics class had started in the class room. and the ladies who were walking into the class were definitely DOLLED up in a serious way. for instance, one woman wore dance tights, a flouncy black lace skirt and a white backless shirt. these women were so flashdance, i couldn't stand it. so, i decided to stare through the window at them for a while. the instructor had on a black spaghetti strap lycra shirt and red vinyl pants. i'm not kidding. red vinyl pants. i so wish i was able to get some pictures, but perhaps later i'll manage it. the teacher's make-up was off the hook. bright blue eyeshadow, red, red lipstick (very poorly applied...). and the dance moves were hot and very complicated. and so, i decided that the next week I was at the gym, i would brave the experience for myself.

so, on Monday and Wednesday of this week, I put on the cutest outfit I could manage from my stock of yoga clothes (along with the very cute black and lime green polka-dot wristbands that Amy D. sent me) and walked into the room. I was very intimidated by the fashion. Crazy dance fashion in Korea. This time, seeing the instructor's make-up close-up and listening to her very deep, very raspy voice on her headset mic, i was convinced of what badkitty told me: the woman must be a tranny. i dunno, but it's possible. definitely possible.

the class was insane. it was like no aerobic I had ever been too. it was a full on, choreographed dance class. every song is a different routine, and nearly everyone in the room, including the 2 guys who come to class, is korean and knows every step of every song. because they go every day. i was completely lost, but did nothing but smile the entire time. it was the most fun i have ever had exercising. so insanely complicated and such satisfaction to get the hang of a step or two along the way. all korean techno pop--lots of songs that i hear every day here in gwangju. i especially loved the final song where the disco lights went on, and everyone spontaneously moved out into a giant dance circle and popped their bodies like crazy and then moved back into position. back and forth like this for about 5 minutes. hilarious. like being at the club. awesome.

i went back again a second time thinking it would be easier. ah, but think again, lovely people. very few of the songs were the same, maybe 2 or 3. the rest were entirely new with entirely different, complex routines. how do they do it? i have no idea. but i'll be damned if i don't walk out of korea with at least one hot dance routine under my belt.

after aerobics is my new favorite yoga class. the teacher is awesome. much better than my last one. the class is a bit harder--more advanced stretching--but still mellow. and we get to do lots of breathing (kapalabhati, alternate nostril breathing). It's awesome. such a yoga nerd!

so, with five weeks left (can you believe it?) I'm working hard to leave here in a good state of mind with some serious dance moves.