Riot and Frolic

For the third consecutive time, I have broken out in a rash during practice.  At first, I attributed it to … I don't know… something logical.  The second time I was too stressed out about my Viennese timing to really notice.  But the third time?

YOU GUYS.

I'm allergic to practice.

Okay, let's be realistic.  

I'm not allergic to practice.

I am, however, having a slightly intense physiological reaction to it.  A RASH, YOU GUYS. 

Practice is stressful right now, I'll admit.  We have A LOT of new material that I'd like to have down in less than 10 years; the new material is way above the level we had last been dancing; I am not as strong or as flexible as I usually am (good Lord, how long does that take?!); and the fatness (from being pregnant and then not pregnant) is so distracting (again, good Lord, how long does that take?!).  

All that, added on to what has never been a calm routine for us anyway (we are not un-intense people) makes me freaking BREAK OUT IN HIVES, apparently.

And yet, I'm still going to practice.  I'm involuntarily scratching my neck after falling on the floor for the umpteenth time and rubbing my itchy arms after my posterior cramps from doing my 975th arabesque.  

I'm only assuming the rash/hives/horribleness of this era of practice will go away in a week or two.  Or I can invest in Benadryl and Cortizone.  

EITHER WAY.  

Still dancing.