When you go to class, are you surrounded by people who are just there to get some exercise and “fill up their time,”or are there hungry dancers sucking up every piece of information the instructor gives them?
I bring this up because yesterday, I went to a lower-level jazz class to ease my way back into dance after vacation. I was so happy to be back in class and was doing everything full-out. My muscles were rested, and I was ready to go! When we went across the floor, I tried to do as many multiple turns as possible and worked on my technique all the way from one end of the room to the other.
Unfortunately, I accidentally bumped into one of the ladies in class who just stopped in front of me while going across the floor. I apologized (even though she should have kept moving!), and she gave me a dirty look. Well, this whole incident got me thinking:
If you are taking the time and effort to go to class, why don’t you give it your all?
During the day, I find that there are many, basic dance classes filled with people just trying to fill their day until their kids get home from school. And that’s great. But when these people see others working hard and trying to get the most out of class possible, they should give them the room to do so and be positive about it.
Many of these dancers give me dirty looks and make snide comments. While they breeze through class doing the bare minimum of work, I push myself to add one more turn to my multiples, kick higher, stretch farther, etc. In the meantime, I’ve noticed that they have not improved at all since the last time I took this class. Plus, it seems like they can’t understand why I can dance circles around them. Obviously, it’s easier for them to make jealous comments and have negative attitudes.
But this really doesn’t bother me at all. Instead, I “feed on their weakness”and dance that much better!
Now, when you find yourself in a class where you are the best dancer, and the other dancers resent you for it (even though they are not doing the work), it’s definitely time to find another class. Why it may be fun to be the “queen dancing diva”in class once in awhile, you need to go to a class where you are the worst dancer so you can improve your skills.
But my point is, if you’re going to show up for class, why not get the most out of it? I don’t understand why people spend the time, effort and money on dance classes, and the gas to get to the studio, if they are not going to make the most of it. There are so many people out there who would love to attend a dance class, and they just can’t due to reasons out of their control.
Dance is a gift. Cherish each moment you are in class and push yourself to learn as much as possible while you’re there. You’ll not only become a better dancer, but you’ll help improve your mental and physical health and be able to do something many people just dream of doing!
For more dance tips, click here.
