Back to School with Sweat and Smiles

With my breath rushing in and out of my lungs and my heart racing, I smiled.  I don't think I had ever sweat so much in my life while dancing!  The Ambassadors show choir in high school probably came close, but this... this was more!  Of course I would give a good portion of the credit to the heat and humidity of India, but boy, did we dance hard today!  Members of the LifeDance Troupe (the audition dance company at Rising Star Outreach) came up to me one by one to shake my hand and thank me for the class-- each of them with a smile on their face.  This... these students... this is what it's about-- witnessing a positive change from within my students through dance.

To be honest, it was difficult to round up the LifeDance Troupe!  I was surprised.  Because of this challenge though, it was even more rewarding to see the change each student went through by the end of class!  "I have pain," said one of my students before we had started warming up.  It was clear that she was trying to get out of doing anything.  I instructed her to give 100% of whatever she had to offer, and by the end of class her face was beaming with the biggest smile!  I asked how the pain was, and she said it was better!  Fancy that ;)  She was so happy!  She definitely experienced a change from within.

Now, with my breath flowing calmly and my heart pumping at a regular rate, I smile.  I am still sweaty (let's face it-- I'm always sweaty here!  Yum), but I feel fulfilled.  This was my 10th full day in India, and I finally got to teach!!  I still don't know many names, but I love every student.  Hopefully they come to love me too-- sweat and all!






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