It was a cold, crisp and sunny morning when I met with my class outside and headed towards the welcome area of the 2019 Highland Hustle Conference. Even before reaching the reception area we could hear music, laughter and feel the atmosphere. Ten of us from Fife, at my Highland Hustle with Kate class, were heading to the beautiful Murrayshall Hotel ready for a weekend of Highland Hustle fun and I was so looking forward to the weekend ahead ...
The conference doors opened and we were welcomed with a goodie bag. Straight away we were all in them straight away to see our bag of goodies, we knew we would need the effervescent electrolyte tab for our water later on for sure!
Gillian welcomed everyone to the conference, introduced the instructors then we went straight outside to come together as one to record a secret challenge we had all learnt in advance. This was very special and brought us closer together as a group full of good spirit and friendliness.
As soon as the classes started we welcomed Hustlers, some of whom were there on their own, to join in our fun which is typical of a Highland Hustle class atmosphere. We were all inspired by so many of us loving Hustle throughout the weekend. Amazed by each instructor who lead a routine from boundless energy with impressive leaps to amazing motivation and encouragement to have fun no matter your fitness or dance ability. We sang and clapped along with the great tunes and all with huge smiles. In particular, the group tracks were such a great laugh.
Video shows samples from classes at the Conference (Highland Hustle Kate is the first instructor in the video)
During our well earned lunch break, some strolled around the hotel admiring the outstanding scenery of Perthshire surrounding the hotel while others chatted away with others. HH with Kate had some laughs and got to know each other a whole lot more as well as meeting Hustlers from Isle of Skye, Aberdeenshire down to Galashiels and lots of places in between. The optional Hustle Bingo quiz was a great ice breaker to amusing facts about our fellow Hustlers. A great way to mix and added at bit of amusing banter with each other.
Highland Hustle Kate above (centre) with her class at the Conference
The energy kept going the whole day long from singing to The Proclaimers, Glow Stick class in the dark to planks & plies as we toned then did an extended cool down to bring us all back to earth.
I didn’t manage a treatment this year but many of the ladies managed to get nails or a facial from the lovely Nicky or a sports massage by Gareth in between classes. Lots of the attendees said that they were great value with the special Conference offers and superb at their jobs. Perhaps something for next time!
But, we didn’t stop there, the fundraiser Ceilidh for Hustle Helps saw us Hustling to Shut Up & Dance, this time with hair down, make up on, dresses and heels. The Ceilidh band were just brilliant and what a great night it was!
Wow, we started again at 9am on Sunday (with an extra hour sleep thankfully with the clocks going back) with a gentler tone and stretch with some planks and a few more plank variations with a bit of hilarity mixed in between groaning. Mid Sunday morning there were short Highland Dance sessions tailor made to different audiences. Some of our ladies learned the Sword Dance for the first time whilst a few of the more experienced learned a short tricky piece of choreography.
We all left the conference with the bodies certainly knowing we had a great workout but feeling uplifted, full of good spirit, happy and looking forward to 2020. Can’t wait …!
If you are interested in the Highland Hustle Conference more information can be found here including booking links and sample schedules.
Find Highland Hustle with Kate's facebooke page here and find all classes worldwide here!
