When my father was diagnosed with a painful and aggressive lymphoma in late 2019, four years after my mother passed away, I turned to Angolan dance teacher Braulio Faria of Forever Dance Academy in Cape Town for support. It was the summer before lockdown. In between chemo sessions, we danced for hours. Until I felt I could breathe again.
That sounds weird, I know, but when I’m stressed my chest locks and my breathing becomes shallow. Braulio instinctively knows where I’m at and gets on with my ‘therapy’, leading me through classic kizomba, a dance performed in a family setting, and semba, the Angolan party dance. Eventually I relax, swept away by the magical African rhythms and, at that time, the views of Table Mountain from Braulio’s studio balcony.
I’ve danced all my life, and thrive on all kinds of partner dancing, from sokkie to semba – but I find the Angolan dance styles best for dissolving my mental and emotional blocks. I think it has to do with the joy of being held, safely, while moving to incredible music.
WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?
My dad passed away before dawn on 11 March 2020. The following day I flew to Botswana via Joburg for an exclusive travel assignment I couldn’t cancel. I’d planned the trip to coincide with a weekend dance festival, which I navigated through numbing disbelief and floods of tears in the arms of empathic partners. Multitalented dance teachers Frias Fumo from Mozambique and Sidney Grant from the US – who led me to dance the best Argentine tango of my life, all legs and flicks and embellishments – played their part.
This story is from the March/April 2022 edition of Fairlady.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March/April 2022 edition of Fairlady.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Easter with edge
Grant knows what it's like to miss out on the celebrations that anchor family life.
The MALE bias
Historically, medical studies were mainly done on male mice and on men; and then extrapolated to treat women, as if a female body were just a smaller version of a male one. Here’s why that doesn’t make sense, and how to work with your body’s natural rhythm for better health.
Wellbeing
How to sleep better, feel better and look better!
The other type of CHEATING
Lies about money can have devastating consequences in a relationship.
THE 'PEST' IN PESTICIDES
oe r Despite many highly Hs hazardous pesticides being banned in their countries of origin, 192 of them are still legally exported to South Africa
START A BUSINESS LIKE a Saffer
There's nothing quite like a South African entrepreneur. In the face of adversity, they innovate and persevere. But what fuels that determination? We chatted to some self-starters to find out.
How to take the MONOTONY OUT OF MONOGAMY
It's easy to get complacent in a long-term relationship. Before you know it, your partner is little more than your roommate. Here's how to shake things up.
SUPER TROUPER
At one point, Josie Borain was the most famous model in the world. Her face was on every magazine that mattered. And in the madness of all that attention, she never lost her sense of self. She talks to us about turning 60, being single, and starting her third act with a move to the platteland.
Little wonder
Over the years we have visited 16 Greek islands, but when we first set foot on Halki, the little-known gem just south of Rhodes, we knew we'd found the closest thing to the perfect one. And we vowed to return. Often.
HOME AFFAIRS
These three entrepreneurs are redefining the heartbeat of homes through their unique blend of creativity, sustainability and purposeful design.
