It’s January, which means it’s time to discuss resolutions!
What is your dancing goal?
A number of students are preparing to participate in dance competitions and many are getting creative with showcases and spotlight performances. Others desire to pass levels, improve posture, or become more comfortable on the social dance floor.
With the help of your instructors (and lots of hard work on the dance floor), you can achieve your goals and become the best dancer you can be!
Whatever your individual dance goals may be, here are some helpful tips for you:
Set a Specific Goal
All of the students at Fred Astaire Morristown work with their instructors to set personal dancing goals. While goals may be different for each student, they are a necessary and important part of the learning process. It’s important to revisit and review the goals you set throughout the course of your program to make sure you’re on track. Be sure to talk to your teacher if you decide your goal has changed or feel it has become unclear!
Make a Plan
You’ve established your goal. Now, how will you get there? There is a road map to learning to dance, and your instructors can set the course, giving you a clear path that leads to the goal you’re shooting for. Without intent and direction to your goal, you may wander aimlessly, and risk never attaining your fullest potential!
Commit
You’ve seen the phrase spanning the mirrors at our studio “Progress Begins the Moment You Commit.” If you feel you aren’t seeing the progress you were expecting, ask yourself if you’ve truly committed yourself to achieving your goal. Committing includes having the correct equipment (such as dance shoes and practice wear), sticking to your scheduled lessons, practicing with different partners at socials and taking advantage of group classes and coaching opportunities. Having discipline will ensure you get the most out of your dance investment.
Expand Your Limits
When was the last time you did something that felt uncomfortable? Chances are your first dance lesson took you out of your comfort zone. Movements and concepts that are new often make us feel uneasy, and it’s tempting to run from the feeling of insecurity. But discomfort can actually be a great sign! That awkward feeling is your “growing pains.” If you haven’t been experiencing that sensation, then you probably haven’t been pushing yourself to your limits! Talk to your teacher to find out the best way to challenge and improve yourself.
Live It
Anything you choose to improve must become a priority! By setting a priority you are deciding to focus your energy in every aspect of your life. This means developing new habits and small changes in an effort to achieve results. For example, do you arrive early, prior to your lesson to stretch, review and practice? Do you stay afterward to cool down and take notes in your dance journal? Have you attend as many weekly classes as possible? At socials, do you rotate with student dance partners of different levels to improve your leading or following skills?
Remember, we want you to achieve your dance goals! Fred Astaire dance studios utilize a 3-way system of dance instruction, which means you learn best when you follow your teacher’s recommendations. For best results, combine your private lessons with group classes and social dancing. If you haven’t been attending all three each week, there’s definitely room to improve!
