IDM blog..

Right, so the dancing aside, I've just realised that whilst I thought I'd left behind the insecurities of body shape that come with growing up, my recent lessons in ID have caused these nagging feelings to return!

Fair enough, at my class last night I am not looking my best, or feeling my best, and yes...I really must remember how important it is to wear a sports bra...especially in a room full of mirrors whilst jumping up and down!

However, on the whole I am happy with how I look, except I wish like everyone I could loose a few pound here and there, but last night in dawned on me that I am not longer the girl I used to be.

Practicing our Light Jig I found myself watching the other girls in the mirror. they are all so skinny with flat tummies and perfect legs. I just look like a tall person who loves Ice cream a little too much.

I just wondered what everyone else thought, do you guys have the same fellings in class or with time does this go away when you see how much better you are getting at your dancing?

As for the details of the lesson last night, little by little I seem to feel like I am getting better, if only a little. I am remembering to flick my foot up on my skips and have FINALLY mastered getting my feet in the right place on my sevens.

I am off to the All Irelands this weekend, and had a dream last night that everyone I met asked me to show them what I have learned! I hope this is just a dream and doesn't become reality... I am not ready for a public performance yet.

Oh so tired!So how long do we think it will take before I feel proud of what I am learning instead of feeling like a total wally?

I still haven't fallen over...but once again discovered my ankles are not strong enough to support me yet. Does anyone know of some simple exercises I can do to help with weak ankles?

So this week as there were two girls there who hadn't been before we went back to the start, which I was really pleased about. This meant that I got a chance to really get the steps of my reel in my head! Apart from occasionally putting the wrong leg in front on my sevens... I think I nearly have the hang of it. So now I just need to keep my head up, knees crossed and remember to keep on my toes without falling over.

We also went through the light Jig and finished this off. A few more weeks of practice I think on this one.

Finally we had a load more fun with the Walls of Limerick...this is so exhausting.... how long will it be before I can breath and dance at the same time?

Answers on a postcard to tamasine@irishdancing.com

I always thought Irish dancing was difficult, I never tried to kid myself... but now I know just how hard.

So at my second lesson we went back over what we did last week. I am getting the hang of it BUT I am finding it really hard to try and look the part...I keep catching a glance of myself in the mirrors and just look wrong!

I wonder if it has anything to do with being tall.. are there any other 6ft Irish Dancers out there? If so email me tamasine@irishdancing.com and share your tips!

I need help with the basics I think- Like with a hop I amstill finding it hard to make it look neat and tidy! What am i doing wrong... I need help!

We also tried our first set dance... The Walls of Limerick! Ha Ha I had to dance as a boy though as apparently that is what tall girls do if there are no boys!
It was good fun though! i just need to get my fitness up to speed now!

A slightly scared looking TamasineSo it is a freezing cold evening in Bristol town centre, around half seven and there is no turning back. I pull into the car park as my phone rings. It is my brother ringing to wish me luck and laugh at me for putting myself into such a silly situation! I tell him it is not silly and that I am really looking forward to it. I decide to record the look on my face as I prepare to leave my car and head to my first ever Irish dancing lesson.

I hang around chatting to the guys who run the dance centre in Bristol where I am taking my lessons. Time ticks on and I start to worry that maybe the teacher is not coming. A lucky escape maybe?! But I then discover that the normal teacher left just before Christmas. So Kellie the new teacher has only been doing it a few weeks and the numbers are low.

Kellie finally arrives and flashes me a warm smile! I feel scared and excited. I follow her into the studio, decked out with ballet bars and mirrors, I begin to feel at home until she unzips her bag and takes out her soft shoes. I remember what I am here for and snap back into the real world. I dash to the loo to change into my dance gear and return to find another pupil has arrived.

We start by learning easy reel. I keep getting the wrong foot in front on my sevens and feel like my legs are tying themselves in knots. However I finally get to grips with it after about 30 mins! This could take a long time.

We then try our light jig which confuses me even more and before I know it the class is over. I leave worrying about hops and flicks and wondering how I am ever going to teach myself not to turn my knees out. I don't look elegant like when I used to do ballet. I look like a tall person who has no idea where to put her feet. I return home and decide that perhaps Olive's videos will help me perfect my moves before next week.

I have booked myself into Irish dancing Classes at a secret location in Bristol. I am wondering if I should go undercover or if I should tell them who I am. I guess being the editor of IDM will mean I have a lot to live up to… will they expect me to know what I am doing?

OliveOlive Hurley has sent me her DVD. I feel a right wally sitting at my desk trying to do a 1-2-3 sitting down hoping nobody will notice.

I decide this is perhaps better tried at home. After a long day in the office I get home and practice my 1-2-3s before I go to bed! How exciting! I have learnt my very first step!

I have to say I am really excited about this whole adventure! i love learning new things and what better hobby for me given my job! Everyone I tell thinks I am joking when I tell them... when I tell them I am not they giggle and tell me I am crazy! I like to think of it as dedicated and adventurous.

My new shoes are from Hullachan!My shoes have arrived. Craig Coussins has sent me a selection of shoes to try on and work out what size I need. I am shocked to see that whilst I am a size 7-8 he has included a range from 5-8 for me to try. I settle on a pair of 7 1/2s for my soft shoes and am now worrying that when I break them in they will be too big.

The hard shoes are FAB and I prance around the office in them annoying anyone who will listen and those who wont!.

My ballet training urges me to get up on my toes not so easy|! Owee. I fall over on my new lino floor- luckily no scratches to be seen!

TamasineRight then- As Editor of a magazine dedicated to Irish Dancing around the world www.irishdancing.com, I have come to the conclusion that I really should learn to Irish Dance.

I used to Ballet dance from the age of 2 and 1/2 up till about 18. Then I did a little dance at uni and just kinda ran out of energy! I.e: I became lazy and got a boyfriend!

However as the dawn of 2007 broke, I realised that the time was right to reintroduce myself to the wonders of dancing!

So this blog will cover the highs and lows of my Irish Dancing lessons.

I don't expect that they will be easy, and I expect to get a very red sweaty face... but hey I will get fit and show my dedication to my job. I kinda figure that to be the best journalist you can be you should not only connect with your readers, but also with the subject you're writing about! So wish me luck...here I go!

Right then- As Editor of a magazine dedicated to Irish Dancing around the world www.irishdancing.com, I have come to the conclusion that I really should learn to Irish Dance.

I used to Ballet dance from the age of 2 and 1/2 up till about 18. Then I did a little dance at uni and just kinda ran out of energy! I.e: I became lazy and got a boyfriend!

However as the dawn of 2007 broke, I realised that the time was right to reintroduce myself to the wonders of dancing!

So this blog will cover the highs and lows of my Irish Dancing lessons.

I don't expect that they will be easy, and I expect to get a very red sweaty face... but hey I will get fit and show my dedication to my job. I kinda figure that to be the best journalist you can be you should not only connect with your readers, but also with the subject you're writing about! So wish me luck...here I go!