I heard that if you can’t laugh at yourself…don’t take up Appalachian Flatfooting and Clogging. It’s week 4…

And actually, I made that up. But for me it makes sense. This week has been challenging and fun… and I have laughed a lot at myself in the process.

I never understood that term… If you can’t laugh at yourself… who can you laugh at? Personally, one of my favorite activities is laughing at myself. But I also like to laugh at other people… but not in a mean way. We are all just funny creatures. And the more we try… sometimes, the funnier we are.

That is the way it was with my dancing this week!

Thank goodness… my motto for this is “PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION.” Takes a lot of the pressure off.

Week 4 is all about the legs!! And that means moving the whole leg. And I got my legs all worn out!! And confused. Heck, I am still working on getting those knees bending at the right time!

I laughed when I was practicing. I laughed as I tried to make videos, and I laughed while I watched those videos. And that is a good thing.

One nice thing about making these videos is that it gives you a whole different perspective — you can see exactly what you are doing wrong and what you are doing right. And I know that we are our own worst critics… so I have to take it with a grain of salt, too!

Appalachian Flatfooting and Clogging Videos – Week 4

Video 1 the first “all about legs” sequence that I learned this week — the fancy step + old fashioned. I think a couple of Old Fashioneds beforehand might have improved my form… but also may have been my undoing! It was fun, though, and turned out to be my favorite!

Video 2 also “all about legs” – Kentucky Loop and Wagon Wheel. This is me the least graceful that I can imagine. A Hippo in a tutu might have more grace. (No, she definitely did in Fantasia!) But I got through it… and it gives me something to work on! And something to chuckle about… Like WHAT am I doing with that back leg? ( I know my Teacher is going to wonder the same thing!!!)

Video 4 of “all about legs” was the easiest for me to get —Calypsos and Shuffles

Here is the slower version — because I think I needed to go slow to get it.. the next one is speeded up!

Video 5 of “all about legs” Calypsos and Shuffles – the faster version — not perfect, but making progress!

I was happy to get through this week — I didn’t get as much practice as I would have liked… that second covid vaccine left me feeling like I’d been hit by a tractor for a few days. But stuff happens and I just have to take it in stride. That is why I thought it would be important for me to post my videos… as imperfect as they are.

My goal for next week is to practice the module every day, and also, just spend some time dancing. So I will put on some music and freestyle every day as well.

Until Next week!

–Tracy