Bokwa? You never heard of Bokwa?
Despite the way it reads, it is not the sound of someone choking on a chicken nugget or a new kung-fu move. It is in fact a high impact cardio/dance workout and as they say in the marketing pitch, if you can spell and move, you can do Bokwa. You can read more about Bokwa here.
It’s funny how life always throws things at you in groups. First, there was the A-Z April Blogging Challenge, blogging by the alphabet and now there’s exercise by the alphabet. That’s right, dance steps in the shape of letters or rather your feet move to make letters of the alphabet. I suppose you could Bokwa the alphabet song, but the letters are actually chosen at random to fit in with the routine, rather than danced in alphabetical order. This is a very good thing, because concentrating on the dance steps, coordinating arms and legs whilst reciting the alphabet would probably be a little too much multitasking. All of that and you want grace as well? Ha!
So, I had my first full Bokwa class today after having had an introductory taste of it last week for there comes a time in every mother’s life when being self-consciousness is yesterday’s news. I mean, if you have ever given birth, you would know that you check your dignity at the hospital door. There is just no room for self-consciousness when some nurse is elbow deep inside your birth canal. And that REALLY prepares you for what comes next, namely, when your 5-year-old bright spark of a child boldly announces to the world at large that “Mummy has wobbly bits”.
My wobbly bits look just like hers!
Image courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net
And so it was that I took my wobbly bits to Bokwa.
I am proud to say that not only did I survive the 45 minute class, but I had great fun along the way. Firstly, the music is fantastic. Latest hits that even on a bad day would get your foot tapping, let alone your whole body moving on a good day. And you can sing along whilst doing it. Secondly, whilst the steps are set, you are encouraged to put your own spin on them. Dip here? Why, thank you I will. A bit of booty shaking there, certainly.
Thirdly, and for me, most importantly, the class is taught by a couple of fantastically patient and energetic people from Zumbalicous Australia. You need motivation? They have it in spades. You need to start with the basics? No problem, they will step it through until you’ve got it. You’ve come along for a bit of fun and to sweat – they deliver. A good exercise instructor is like a good hairdresser, a relationship that’s quite personal and something to hold on to for as long as you can!
Below is a pic that was taken after the class. Two of these lovely ladies are fantastic dancers whilst the other wears really bright sneakers.
Over and above the Bokwa itself, I beseech you all to try something new and often. It’s so easy to come up with multiple excuses for not wanting to do or try something, but more often than not if you can overcome the resistance of your old and familiar thought patterns, you’ll be glad you did.
Today I mastered L, O and C. Can’t wait to see what’s in store for next week.
And one day soon, I’ll be able to dance the following letters for my wonderful instructors:
T, H, A, N, K, Y, O and U!!
Raising the Curtain 