Gaga – A Crazy Good Technique to Beat Pre-Christmas Stress

A class that claims "Let's go bonkers" was something I had to try. And let me tell you: It's an incredible way to release tension and turn stored energy in your body into something beautiful.

When I think about the weeks before Christmas, I imagine a happy and merry time full of nice encounters with my friends, sipping on overpriced mulled wine at one of Berlin's many Christmas markets. In reality, Christmas markets are packed and Berlin in general is full of people tensed as tightly coiled springs. Last week alone, I was insulted and shouted at twice by strangers. Happy X-Mas, Katie. Thank you very much.

But, well, I get it. Besides the stressful annual buying presents marathon, the global situation in general gives us all enough reasons to be easily rattled. So I asked myself what I could do to avoid letting my fear or insecurity turn into a hostile attitude towards others. Because clearly I’m also on edge and believe me, my response to these strangers weren’t friendly at all.

In general, I believe that any kind of physical activity or body work practise is a great way to get grounded, let go of stress and turn the energy stored in your body into something truly unique and beautiful. And there are obviously several ways to do it.

Some people prefer the gym, others enjoy yoga, I’d like to introduce you to a slightly different technique named gaga. Yes, you read right. Gaga, as for “meschugge”, “a little bit crazy” or “let’s go bonkers all together”. And that’s basically what it is. A group of people going bonkers all together in a room without mirrors and plenty of arms and legs moving like spaghetti in boiling water.

A class without mirrors. Goodbye inner censor. Ciao, ciao!

When I mention dancing gaga, I often get raised eyebrows. People think I go on a crazy rave. I mean, they are not entirely wrong. There is dancing, there is moving, but a gaga session is definitely so much better than a crazy Berlin techno party –and believe me I’ve been to many.

It’s now two years ago, since I took my first class. And boy, was I terrified. I mean, they say gaga is for everyone, no dance experience necessary. But hey, the instructor was undoubtedly a professional dancer and many others in the room as well. And there I was, nervously listening to the instructor introducing the ground rules of the class:

• Never stop moving

• No sitting down and watching the others

• Mirror free dance space

Uh…that last one was music to my ears. I mean, sure, I've had some dance experiences, but at the end of the day, I'm a 40-something-year-old woman who does her best shimmy after two glasses of wine, swaying to Wham's "Club Tropicana”. (Better not to see myself doing that in front of a mirror)

Not a teacher, not an instructor, he was a full-body storyteller

So when the class started in the room without mirrors, I naturally focused on the teacher, waiting for some steps to copy. Spoiler alert: There were no steps. There wasn’t even an instructor in front of me. This guy who was leading the class was a full-body storyteller, guiding us with his every part of his (gorgeous) body and voice through an extraordinary movement experience.

One moment, I felt weightless, floating in an imaginary ocean. The next, I was channelling my inner Wednesday Adams, igniting engines in my body I didn’t even know existed.

Moving like spaghetti in boiling water

You know those t-shirts that say, "Dance like nobody is watching"? Yes, I know, laaaaamee. But to be honest: This was exactly what I did, and it felt absolutely incredible. I found myself lost in movements, experiencing joy and immense pleasure by researching, feeling and moving every cell of my body.

And before I knew it, my body was moving, shaking, and grooving in sync with everyone else in the room. Nothing, really nothing, felt embarrassing. I fake-smiled, chewed with my hips (still don't know how I did that… but I did) and let my arms and legs move like spaghetti in boiling water. I mean, can you imagine? I was pasta al dente.

The whole class lasted one hour and within these 60 minutes my body turned into a machine, a tap dancer, an earthquake, water, spaghetti, moving balls, the list goes on and on. By the end of the session, I was drenched in sweat.

“THIS wasn't just a dance class, I thought, THIS was something else, a full-body experience everyone should have at least once in their lives”.

Experience groove and pleasure… and let go of all the stress

Since that day two years ago, I've taken dozens of gaga classes, in person but also online. And every class is different, every instructor has their own way of guiding you with and through your body. Sometimes with music, sometimes without, but always with a lot of groove and pleasure.

So if movement is your jam in general, I highly recommend trying it out. And for everyone here thinking, 'I can't dance,' let me tell you: this is precisely the class for you. Gaga is arguably the best way to move without taking a dance class.

Here is a glimpse of what it can (!!!) look like.

And if you are too shy to go to an in-person class or there isn’t one around where you live – try out online classes or get a taste of it with this quick 9-minute session for free. I love the gaga break. It’s perfect to shake off the stress of the Christmas shopping marathon.

A bit of background

For those of you who are craving a bit more background: There is a fabulous Netflix show called "Move" and it features a whole episode just about Gaga and Ohad Naharin, the mind behind all of this – worth watching.

I wish you all a groovy, pleasurable Christmas pre-season (and maybe go a little gaga)
Cheers, Katie