Conversations with Sandra & Jafe

THE PROLOGUE

So when we set out to have a conversation with San and Jafe, we thought that we could get a REAL conversation going - you know, the one where the INTERVIEWER actually asks the questions, probing into the INTERVIEWEES' thoughts and opinions and shaping the whole direction of the conversation - BUT Noooo... not with these two characters, who apparently went on a lingual verbatose between the two of them and conveniently left (~ahem) yours truly to simply transcribe what they say (and what they ask - each other!) and effectively rendering this INTERVIEWER into a secretary (not that we have any issues with being a secretary...). So, as with any good secretary, we'll just regurgitate their whole indulgent conversation ad-nauseum for your amusement and enlightenment while I'll just file my nails away...

THE CONVERSATION

What made you decide to dance?

She : It was September, 3 months to Christmas, and I have a dress 3 sizes too small.

He: Bo Bian. She signed me up. Plus many years ago she tried Latin Cha Cha and ran out of class in tears so when she wanted to try dancing again I thought I should show my support and at least pretend to be enthusiastic.

 

Why Studio Wu to start with?

She: Studio is 2 minutes from my office, 1 minute if I run. Besides, there were 2 gorgeous hunks manning the reception the first time I stepped into the studio. Oh, and the annual fee package is a real steal.

He: These two guys at the counter were giving her the look-over. I had to protect my turf.

 

What lessons do you dig?

She: Call me the Intro Queen. Intro Hip Hop, Intro Street Jazz, Intro Anything. I have been urged to take a deep breath and go for Beginners or Advanced Beginners classes since I am now not so green (I.e can tell left from right).

He: Any lesson with my favourite instructor!!

 

Describe your dance experience to date

She: It was disastrous initially. I could see what the instructor was doing, and the other students following, but my reflection was out of step and out of sync! It got better once I decided to lose my inhibitions and just forget about maintaining any ego or dignity. Strangely, you should not try too hard at dance. It kills the momentum and the mood. On "off" days, just blame your work/stress/boyfriend and sign up for the next day's class. After 1 year, I think I can manage 4 simple eighths without landing a heart attack.

He: It is truly exciting to be meeting all sorts of people from all walks of life whom I will not otherwise meet. It opens up a whole new world. I am discovering parts of my body that I never knew existed, and what's more, I can isolate, pop, lock and whack them! Gosh, do I sound like a freak to you? Six months ago I would have agreed with you.

 

Tell us a bit more about the lessons

She: Slow stretchy start to get some sweat up. Then some repetitions on basic hip hop or jazz moves like waves, par-de-bouree, ball change, pique, new york, monastry, turns, and instructors have pet names for common moves (like prata and hoga). Then choreography incorporating some basic moves and eye-opening new ways to contort your body. Like golfers loving the sweet spot, dancers live for those moments they "hit" the music in class. This gets you high for hours.

He: There is this gorgeous student I always see in class. She is so good, she can pick up the choreography even though the instructor is half a mile away with his back to her. I always copy her during class. I nicknamed her my favourite dance instructor. She is a real shawty, which means an attractive sexy girl in the hip hop lingo...

 

How are the instructors? And I don't mean physical attributes only...

He: The instructors at Studio Wu are great! My favourite is this gorgeous student I always see in class … oh am I repeating myself?

She: It will be so unfair to attribute any instructor with a particular dance style as they are all so versatile. I would say they are friends and tutors, always competent and concerned. We are made to do physical conditioning (push up + sit ups = strong core), asked to listen intently to music (so that we can match the moves to the music) and constantly cajoled to dance it out (never mind the mistakes). They will go off on "study tours" (recently Japan, Korea and HK) and come back with the latest grooves (and a new wardrobe...)

 

Name the essential dance accessories

She: Mirror. Music. And Attitude.

He: (Censored) [Ed's note: That's self-censorship. We have nothing to do with this]

 

What was the best moment in your erm.. dance career?

She: The day I realize I can actually ISOLATE my neck without breaking any part of my body!

He: The day I tried out some new moves at Zouk and two shawties fought to buy me drinks. But it has not happened yet.

 

What do you really hope to achieve?

She: Look like a pro (even if I can't dance like one) and choreograph my own dance steps (so that I don't have to remember others') - no wait. Actually, I want to be competent enough to just enjoy dancing instead of mugging through the steps.

He: To try out my new moves at Zouk and have two shawties fighting to buy me drinks! Haha.

 

Has dancing made you a better person?

She: Aw... I wasn't too bad to start with. But yes! My hand-eye co-ordination is far better now. I hardly lose my temper anymore (it is better to whack it off in two hours of dance with loud loud music). And I think I am as fit as a fiddle.

He: Not sure. It certainly gives me a better bod.

 

Would you recommend dancing to your friends?

She: Is this a trick question? Of course!!! Don't know what you are waiting for!

He: Definitely. You wanna see how ripped my body has become?

 

THE EPILOGUE

Now, what can we say about these two characters? Self-indulgent, perhaps (well, the editor's not complaining either - he's out mastering the shuffle). But more than anything they are out there, putting their limbs and lives on the dance floor - for real! So if it's anything to go by, we'd say, carpe diem.