Dance class trample 7 min read

My name is Mark and I’m a university student. I never thought I’d be excited for PE class, but that all changed when our professor announced that the famous choreographer Sarah Crossbow would be coming to work with us. Instead of running laps or playing dodgeball, we were going to put on a contemporary dance performance with acrobatic elements.

On the first day, we all gathered in the dance studio, buzzing with nervous energy. Sarah told us to take off our shoes and the guys to lose their shirts. I felt self-conscious at first, but then Sarah started teaching us the choreography. It was unlike anything I’d ever done before – all fluid motions and expressive gestures. Our bodies had to flow and bend in ways I didn’t know were possible.

“Feel the movement,” Sarah urged us, “Let it come from within.” I tried my best to do what she was showing us. It was challenging but exhilarating, like my body was waking up for the first time.

Sarah had us start with some basic contemporary dance movements – contract and release, roll downs through the spine, improvised gestures with our arms and hands. It was like learning a whole new language with our bodies.

Then she started teaching us some of the more acrobatic elements. We had to support each other’s weight, lifting, catching and balancing our partners. There were daring leaps across the room into each other’s arms. At one point, I even found myself in an upside down pose, my legs extended in a wide V above me as two other students held me up.

The choreography was mesmerizing but physically grueling. My muscles burned as Sarah guided us through the phrases over and over. Sweat dripped down my back and I was breathing hard. But I had never felt so alive, so in tune with the capabilities of my own body. This wasn’t just dance, it was art.

“Alright everyone, gather around,” Sarah called out, waving us into a tight circle. She had a mischievous glint in her eye that made me nervous.

“We’re going to try something a little more…intimate now,” she said slowly. “I need one brave man to volunteer.”

The guys shifted uncomfortably, no one wanting to be the first to raise their hand.

“Robert, you’ll do nicely,” Sarah said, gesturing him forward. Robert looked anxious but stepped up.

“Now lie down on your back, arms at your sides,” Sarah instructed. Robert lowered himself to the studio floor, the muscles in his stomach and arms flexing as he got into position.

“The rest of you men, pay close attention. You’ll each have a turn,” Sarah said. We nodded, intrigued but apprehensive about what she had planned.

Sarah turned to the group of women. “Ladies, who wants to go first?” Several girls stepped forward eagerly.

“Excellent! Miriam, let’s have you start,” Sarah said, singling out one of the volunteers.

Miriam moved towards Robert, waiting for further direction.

“Alright, Robert I want you to take a deep breath and fully engage your core,” Sarah said. Robert inhaled deeply, his six-pack abs contracting.

“Miriam, you’re going to step up onto Robert’s torso, placing one foot on either side.”

Miriam carefully climbed onto Robert’s prone body, wobbling slightly as she centered her feet. The studio was silent, everyone raptly focused on the unusual pose.

“Slowly transfer your weight onto the foot that’s against his chest,” Sarah guided. “Robert, keep breathing, don’t tense up.”

Miriam began shifting her weight forward. As her foot pressed more firmly into Robert’s pectoral, he let out a small grunt.

“That’s it, just ease into it,” Sarah said. “Feel his body conforming to yours.”

Once Miriam was balanced fully on Robert’s chest, his breathing sounded more labored, short puffs of exertion.

“Excellent, hold it there,” Sarah said. She addressed us watching. “This is all about trust and connection. The woman must feel fully secure and supported. The man must be solid but flexible.”

I tried to imagine being in Robert’s position, bearing the entire weight of a partner on my torso. It seemed almost painfully intimate. And yet as I watched them hold the pose, their eyes locked, they appeared strangely in sync.

“Now slowly come down, keeping control,” Sarah instructed Miriam after a minute. Miriam stepped off Robert cautiously. He sat up with a groan, rolling his shoulders.

“Who’s next?” Sarah asked. The other female volunteers looked eager to try. I realized all the men, including myself, were about to get very familiar with having a woman stand on our bare chests. It would certainly push us in new ways, both physically and emotionally. But I had to trust Sarah’s vision.

The rehearsal continued with each man taking a turn lying down while the women balanced on them. It was uncomfortable at first, but also created an unexpected bond. We had to be completely vulnerable and connected to pull it off.

After watching several of my male classmates take their turns lying prone while the female dancers balanced on their chests, it was finally my turn to assume the position.

“Okay Mark, you’re up,” Sarah said, gesturing for me to come forward. I moved into the center of the circle, my heart starting to pound. I had seen the intense focus and muscle control this pose required from the men. I hoped I was up for the challenge.

I slowly lowered myself to the hardwood floor, feeling it cold and smooth against my bare back. Getting my six foot frame arranged comfortably took a bit of adjusting. I interlaced my fingers behind my head for some cushioning.

“Remember to keep breathing deeply into your core,” Sarah reminded me. I inhaled, filling my lungs, as my abdominal muscles involuntarily tensed.

“Who wants to be Mark’s partner?” Sarah asked the group. I couldn’t see who volunteered from my reclined position, but soon enough a petite brunette named Claire stepped into my field of vision. She gave me a shy smile as she moved to stand over me.

“Okay, nice and slow,” Sarah instructed Claire. “Step up one foot at a time, find your balance.”

Claire carefully lifted her right foot and planted it on my ribcage. Her narrow heel dug into my skin and I had to resist the urge to flinch. This felt intensely intimate and vulnerable already.

She shifted her weight onto that foot, wobbling slightly. I tensed my core to keep still and solid for her. After a few moments, she stepped up with her left foot, placing it squarely on my sternum.

“Engage your center, don’t hold your breath,” Sarah said. I tried to keep my inhales and exhales steady as Claire’s full weight settled onto my chest.

“How’s that feel Mark?” Sarah asked.

“It’s…different,” I said with a strained chuckle. Having Claire balanced precariously on me was both unnerving and profoundly connecting. I felt hyper aware of her presence and my responsibility to stay sturdy.

“Just ease into it, let your body conform to each other,” Sarah encouraged.

Claire shifted her feet, seeming to find her balance. The pressure of her standing on me was intense. I felt my ribs compressing, my lungs working harder to draw breath. Each inhale lifted Claire slightly up and down.

“Excellent, hold it there,” Sarah said after a minute. Beads of sweat broke out across my forehead and chest from the exertion. My abs burned, every minute muscle fiber engaged.

“Remember, fluidity and connection,” Sarah said. “This is about support, trust.”

I maintained steady eye contact with Claire, trying to mirror her calm poise. In this strange position where she literally held power over me, I felt our partnership more deeply. We had to be utterly attuned, holding each other up.

After what seemed an eternity, Sarah finally said “Okay, nice and slow coming out of it.”

Claire gingerly stepped off my chest, one foot at a time. As soon as her weight left me, I involuntarily took a huge gasp of air. My chest felt simultaneously heavy and light.

I slowly sat up, rolling my shoulders to release the tension. Claire squeezed my arm and said “Thanks, that felt really cool once I got the hang of it.”

I smiled, realizing this experience had brought us closer together. I felt honored to be part of Sarah’s vision, even if it pushed my comfort zone.

As I watched the remaining men take turns with the pose, I felt a newfound bond with my fellow dancers. We were in this together, our bodies becoming canvases for Sarah’s art. The performance was still untold months away, but I could already tell this process would change me. Sarah was giving us the chance to transcend limits and connect in ways I never dreamed possible.