I’m still high from yesterday (it was yesterday when I wrote this, but its now a while back if you are reading this). At least my mind is. Thoughts and ideas at a steady rhythmic pace unbeknownst to Tuesday mornings. It is not a narcotic induced high, mind you and your thoughts, it's only Tuesday! My
body, not quite so. Feet sore, muscles heavy, mind racing. This is the feeling of accomplishment.
It felt natural to be outside in the rain, gentle drops
falling from the pregnant clouds, watching the sky illuminate with bolts of
electricity while the thunderous sound of the heavens competed with the drums.
To be in that moment again is one you wish for. Your mind has let go of all the
troubles of the day, the blazing sun no longer scorches you, but only offers natural light. Your eyes are wide open, mind focused, driving your body to get into
formation.Your heart is racing, legs now moving instinctively to the beat of
the drums. You glance to the side to see the others doing the same thing appropriating
the fluid movements of the instructor; who makes this warrior dance look so
easy and effortless.
And that is why it is called a warrior dance you think, as
the drum beats fade and you catch your breath before the next dance begins. It
took all your concentration and effort to lift your limbs into formation, albeit
the occasional stumble- add some grace and poise while lifting your head and
arms high to the heavens, and there you are, dancing the dance of warriors of
past.
Where am I, where music, dance and history meet? Upon The Kopje in Harare. It’s much more than the hill that you drive up so cautiously when you are learning to manipulate an
automobile. It is the vantage point from which one can see the expanse of the city (through the overgrown vegetation). The lackluster
appearance would never suggest that it is in fact a heritage site. The only
suggestion of importance is the heavy military presence that you feel while
running up the hill, and make sure you run, even at snail pace. There is a
rusted but large ‘no stopping’ sign along the winding path, you can be sure the
authorities will question your speed when you eventually get to the top.
Finally, at the top of this heritage site with my new found
friends, doing something I have come to love and appreciate, some call it dance
fitness or even exercise, but to me it's dance. These new friends of mine do a
fantastic job making it more art than fitness. The highly choreographed,
rhythmic and fluid movements in tune with the music from places near and far in
Africa allow you to shake off all the stress and burdens of the day. It's no
wonder that this routine is aptly named ‘Afro Zunza’- zunza being the Shona word "to shake". This dance fitness routine
known as AfroFit, is the brainchild
of African Dance and Wellness - whose mandate is to fuse culture, fitness and dance in innovative ways that
stay true to their African roots. Dancing in a formal studio, on hilltops, wherever.
My intention, a month back was to join these people who I
had heard of via social media, just to dance. To go back to a dance studio
after two decades and do something I
once loved, more so to redeem myself from being the most rhythmically challenged
of my girlfriends. My first session was exhilarating! I loved the
music and the vanity of seeing myself make [beautiful] moments in the mirror clad
studio. When the music finally came to an end, and my body stopped moving I
finally got the fit part in the ‘AfroFit’. My body was drenched in sweat, heart racing muscles aching, but feeling
accomplished. Fun and exercise done simultaneously with the highly anticipated
dose of endorphins. Unfortunately
the dose doesn’t last too long, so you have to go back there a few days later to dance your way to a high.
If you are based in Harare, I would highly recommend this
activity, all ages, rhythm and fitness levels are welcome. Find out more about
them here.
