This past Wednesday my fabulous friend and LAC Adventure Expert, Katie Parét invited me to a Hustlercise dance class at Hustle & Flow Studio on Brackett Street in Portland. I had NO idea what to expect from the 9:30 a.m. class, but as a carryover from living abroad, I still try to say yes to what comes over my transom, especially from people I trust. Walking up the stairs was familiar as Hustle & Flow resides in the old home of Bhakti in Motion where I did yoga with Kara Seymour for a few years. But the interior vibe was new and fresh and Steph, today’s teacher had a totally different energy from Kara (both energies are great, but different). The music started up and Steph started moving her muscular body and I did my best to follow along. I kept thinking, this 49 year old body is not bad, but it is not a 30-something year old body and it just can’t move in that way. Steph has rhythm, moves, and is full of energy and enthusiasm. There were hip gyrations and leg and arm movements that sometimes eluded me, but I did my best to follow along and it felt good. As we were sweating and shimmying, I thought about how much I love to dance, and in this moment, the movement was only for me and for getting my sweat on. No one was analyzing my dancing abilities or looking at my jiggly butt, they were too engrossed in their own ecstatic and rhythmic movements on that honey-colored hardwood floor. If you love to move your body, check out Hustle & Flow. I just might see you there on a Wednesday morning. And if you do make it, PLEASE amble on over to ZU Bakery at 81 Clark Street. Barak will probably have some chocolate croissant fresh from his oven and all those butter-filled calories are 100% worth it, especially since you just rocked your body for 60 minutes.

Happy adventuring,