A Stunning Review…

“This review is for the “back-and-forthers”, the “sitting-on-the-fencers”, the “wondering-if-I-oughtas” thinking about whether or not to attend Tara’s retreat. 

I could tell you about the magic of San Miguel, the enchanting cobblestone streets, the way the pink swirls into the terracotta, swirls into the butter yellow of the buildings. I call it Mexican Italy. I could tell you about the food that made me stop mid conversation. The smell of fresh churros when you walk out of the apartment. 

I could tell you about the lazer-sharp, whirlwind teaching skills of Tara and Adrian. The way they zero in on exactly what would help your dance next. The expert way they assist your body, your movement. The way they support you, bring the best out of you, shape you, lift you. Until you look in the mirror on about the fourth day in and wonder if that’s really you. It will be. 

But, I’m going to tell you about another reason to go. The reason I went but didn’t know would be the reason. 

It happened a few weeks after I came home from my trip. 

When I first came home, I saw a video of myself. And to be honest with you, I thought my dancing looked exactly the same. I thought, “Hmm, well at least it was a fun trip.” And thought nothing more of it. 

But then, and the only way I can explain this sorcery, is that somehow what I learned with Tara and Adrian needed time to marinate in my body, needed sleep and dreams to sink into my bones. And one day, yesterday in fact, (which is what inspired me to write this review now,) a month after I have returned home from her retreat, 

I lit up on the dance floor. 

I have always thought of myself as a “half open umbrella” kind of dancer. But that night, I became a fully open umbrella. I was confident, joyful, open, unselfconscious. The way I’ve always dreamed of being. My arms extended out of my body powerfully. Shit even my collar bones became graceful. And I know my dance affected people too. 

Leads told me things I’ve never heard, “I love when a Follow knows how to dance herself!” “I’ve never done that move before, but you inspired me!” “Just keep being yourself sweetheart, and I’ll learn how you move!” 

And my favorite, favorite moment was when a beautiful dancer, who I have admired for ages, came up to me after the Social and said, “You inspired me! It made me want to go on that trip too!”

Give this gift of a dance retreat to yourself, if and only if, you want your dance to become a gift to every partner you connect with on the dance floor.

That retreat will not be the last retreat I attend with Tara.”

Meg, Texas