Shake it

Two Wednesdays a month I help teach Special Needs Belly Dancing. I am in no way, shape, or form certified to teach belly dancing. My mind tells my hips to roll one way and my chest to roll another and it comes out resembling a slight seizure. I love that the athletes that participate don't care how crazy their dance moves look. They put their all in to every move. They love that the scarf around their hips make jingling noises. They like feeling like they're part of a group. So, I will shake it until the cows come home if it makes them happy...

 The group getting into their drum solo lines...

My Sweet Jingly Belt... The belt I had 2 weeks ago didn't jingle and I was so bummed!!!

Arriba!

One Friday a month Altamonte Special Needs Recreation does a Night Bird Dance. It's a themed dance where the participators dress up as the theme and party all night (Well, not all night. Until 9pm but still it's a party!!). This month was Fiesta Friday. I was so busy dancing and having a good time that I didn't get a chance to take any pictures. Here is a video of the Valentine's Day dance where Shawn, one of my cheerleaders, and I got down with our bad selves.

Don't you wish you had moves like us??

Shake it Like a Belly Dancer

Back in December I started coaching Special Needs cheerleading. I completely fell in love with the Special Needs community after volunteering for Disney's Special Olympics (see that post HERE). Our team name is the Sparklers and we totally dominate the Special Needs cheerleading world. Back in March we drove to Jacksonville, FL to compete against 5 other Special Needs teams in a cheer competition. The Sparklers DOMINATED!! The Sparklers Elite team took home first place and the Sparklers Extreme team took home second.

CONGRATULATIONS COACHES! Job well done!

The Sparklers Extreme and Elite teams.

Now that I've gone off on a tangent, today I will be trying out a new sport that Altamonte Springs Special Needs Recreation has to offer-- Belly Dancing! I didn't get a chance to take any pictures this week. I was too busy trying to get my hips not to lie. (Shakira reference! Score!)... I will try to get some next week.