Reunions and Resumptions

The other day, I visited a dance studio that brings back fond memories.
How many years has it been...?

Even just making the inquiry,
I was so nervous because it had been such a long time.

Of course, someone with a name I didn't recognize answered the phone.

"Do you have your membership card?"

"I wonder if I still have it? It was quite a while ago..."
"Oh, I found one from 2017!"

(Wow, has it really been that long since I stopped?)

"I'll check if it's still valid, so please come by first!"
"We'll be waiting for you!"

Their bright and kind response eased my tension a little.

I follow them on Instagram.
I have always enjoyed watching everyone's success.
I have a general idea of what the studio is like.

The number of people has grown and grown, and it has gotten bigger,
so it seems there is no one left that I know.
I wondered if there were still people from the old days,
thinking of my old friends.

Even if I don't know anyone, the
dance teacher who taught me is still there.
What would they say if I visited?
I wonder if they would be surprised, happy, and nostalgic.

I would be happy if we could reunite.
I would be happy if they remembered me.

With that expectation and nervousness in my heart,
I headed to a dance lesson for the first time in eight years.

Now that my new life has settled down,
I had been thinking about resuming exercise for a long time.
I was torn between joining a gym or taking dance or ballet classes,
and I couldn't quite move forward with it.

My weekday days off from work changed,
and I found out I could take dance lessons.
A chance to return!?
Although I secretly thought that,
I couldn't take the step forward due to an eight-year gap.

During those eight years, even if I wanted to go,
I had to give up because my days off didn't match.
I changed jobs and my days off changed,
and I never thought I would be able to take lessons.

I was happy.

What should I do?
Should I go? Should I not?

When I was feeling indecisive,
I discovered a workshop for a dance style I love!
Is this a sign?

Am I being called...?

If I miss this timing,
I probably won't take that first step.

I have to go!!

My heart started to move.

I do stretches every day. I'll be fine.
My movements might be sluggish, but I have my past dance experience.
I've been away for a while, so doing just okay is fine. Here I go!

Good timing,
good opportunity,
I pushed myself forward.

Go, have fun!

Towards a dance comeback.

But, wait!

Wait, what!?

M-my dance shoes, they're gone!!

Wait, no way! How could that happen?
Me, who loves dancing so much?
To think I threw away my dance shoes~~💦

Could that really happen?
Really??

I doubted myself,
but it seems I really did throw them away...💧

Oh no!

Had I really given up on dancing
enough to throw them away... I guess I had...

I comforted myself and, having no choice,
used regular training shoes as a substitute.

Well, this will do, I guess♪

I was in a rush right before leaving, but
I was filled with excitement for dancing after such a long time.

When I showed my face at the reception,
a teacher I knew noticed me with surprise.

“Oh my goodness, no way!”
“I knew it was you!”
“We were all wondering, ‘Who is that? Could it be Yu-yu?’”
“Oh, I’m so happy!”

I was so happy that they welcomed me like that♪

They even let the staff room know, and
a teacher who had been teaching me for a long time came out
to greet me!

Overwhelmed with happiness and nostalgia,
we spontaneously embraced and shared a joyful hug♪

To be welcomed so warmly,
I felt so happy and grateful,
and I felt thankful that I had spent time enjoying dance together~✨
I felt truly grateful☺️

Performing in recitals and on stage together,
practicing seriously and having fun,
it was because of those times that I am who I am today~✨

Touching upon warm hearts,
touching upon the connections between people,
remembering the time spent in empathy, sharing, and a sense of unity,
I savored a little bit of happiness once again.

Now, time to dance!♫

Dancing after such a long time
was sooooo much fun!✨

It’s fun to master using my body♪
Ah, dancing really does feel great♡

I’m going to keep on dancing!♫

2025.05.09

I wrote this much and left it as a draft, and
although I said that, due to circumstances, I still haven't been able to go, haha.

I plan to go properly next month!

Dancing is fun, after all ♫

・・Thank you for reading・・

#PuttingHeartIntoWords
#Yuyu
#Essay
#AsIFeel
#Heart
#Dance
#Resumption
#Reunion