I feel better when I’m dancin’
To say that I didn’t know what I was getting myself into would be a massive understatement. Truth be told, I’m still not entirely sure what to think. But when one of my partners at Ironwood Family Practice, Dr. Leah Weatherly, dared me to go to a Body and Soul class with her at Peak Health and Wellness in Coeur d’Alene, I don’t think she expected me to actually take up the challenge.
Arriving in the studio space a few minutes early to warm up, everything seemed pretty normal. Dr. Leah and I along with 12 others (all women) stretched out while waiting for class to start just like any other exercise class. But once the lights were turned down and the music started pumping and we started to dance, it was like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
It’s hard to describe the class without using words like “booty." It’s spicy and fast-paced with hip-hop and dance music loud enough that you can feel it as well as hear it; some participants with sensitive hearing wear ear plugs. Dr. Leah describes it as a mix between Zumba plus step plus dance aerobics and agrees that “you move literally every part of your body.” Let’s just say I didn’t know my hips could move like that.
Our instructor Lexi Ellenbecker started right off with some body rolls as she promised that we’d all end up with smiles on our faces. She didn’t give instruction so much as demonstrate the dance moves as we tried (more or less successfully) to imitate her and keep up. I mostly just tried to follow along, although others who had been before seemed to know the routines and could anticipate the moves. But as class progressed I started getting more confident and began enjoying the music and movements.
Although Lexi grew up dancing and is a certified Zumba instructor, she only started teaching Body and Soul classes one year ago because she “loved that it was different.” She and Tabi Mabrey, the other Body and Soul instructor, often work as a team to create new routines but they try to incorporate moves from older routines and songs that people know so that participants can build confidence while keeping things fresh and new.
Gaining confidence, it turns out, is a big part of this class. Lexi and Tabi really try to create an environment where people are comfortable. For people who are nervous Lexi reassures them “I promise, nobody’s watching you.” As Dr. Leah put it, “You can tell it’s dim, so anonymity is kinda nice in a group class. I’m not trying to be on stage. I didn’t grow up dancing but it’s so freeing.” Although I was extremely aware that the class was all women except me, I would agree that the vibe there was no judgment. In other words, nobody seemed to mind the goofy middle-aged guy in the fluorescent shirt doing his best to imitate twerking.
By the end of class, we all were more relaxed and having fun and had a really good workout. According to Lexi, “If I can create community through movement and stress relief and smiling, then I’m succeeding.” Judging by the smiles on everyone’s faces (as promised), I would agree that it was a huge success.
THE GOOD: Although I went specifically for the Body and Soul class, Peak Health and Wellness is a full fitness facility with tons of activities besides dance exercise. With locations in Coeur d’Alene, Hayden and Post Falls, they offer everything from personal training and cardio to indoor tennis and pickleball.
THE BAD: Cost for a single person Peak membership is $57/month but if you just want to just do the exercise classes, a punch card is available with 16 classes for $130.
THE NITTY GRITTY: If you want to have fun while building your confidence and fitness, consider a Body and Soul class. As Dr. Leah says “you get aerobic exercise while you're enjoying yourself and letting go and it's just really nice. And you don't even have to get all the steps right. Sometimes I'm just doing my own thing but I'm moving and that's fun.”
• • •
Dr. Emry is a family physician and partner at Ironwood Family Practice in Coeur d’Alene. Exercise Explorer MD will appear every other week in The Press and Dr. Emry can be contacted via email exercisexplorermd@gmail.com. © 2024. This work is licensed under a CC BY-ND 4.0 license.
Dr. Geoff Emry