Dancing

This post is to help theatre people having dancing problems. I am clumsy and not the best dancer but I get by alright because of these following tips. I emphasize these are for people struggling through the learning process of dance...

1. Regimented Practice- set aside some time during the week to practice by yourself in a dance studio. You need to do this to begin training your body as a dancer body. It is just like any other physical dicipline you must get used to the movements on a scheduled ruotine to greatly improve.

2. Unregimented Practice- the reasons for this are the same as above, to get you ready to move like a dancer. Unregimented dancing happens during your day to day life. For example, when you are standing in line somewhere, do a few Flap steps or some cross ball changes as you are walking down the street. People may stare, but think about the results you will see later. I did pirouettes for 2 days while I was standing or walking and in just those two days I went from barely being able to do one, to being able to do three comfortably.

3. Knowing the terms: Know your dance terms. You should learn someform of understanding of the move you are doing. I recommend these sites, but I also recommend learning sounds and movements from teachers (monkey see monkey do technique) there are many world renowned dancers that never learn the "real" terms.
Tap: http://www.theatredance.com/dictionary.html
Jazz: http://www.twirlmania.com/TIPSjazzterminology.htm
Ballet: http://www.abt.org/education/dictionary/index.html
Teacher: Find one, doens't have to be real teacher just someone to learn from, they are amazing resources.

4. Push Yourself: Never be satisfied with what you know, always strive to learn more. When one becomes entirely comfortable with their skill it can cease to grow.

5. Buy Dance Attire: You will feel like a dancer and your mind will make you immitate what you percieve as a dancer. I am not saying clothes and shoes are the only things to make you feel like a dancer. Wear your dance attitude too, don't think you are going to fail, think you are going to succeed. The difference may seem little to you, but if you don't feel like a dancer you may never be a dancer.

6. Stretch: You must be flexible in some way shape or form to do certain dances. So start stretching now, especiall your legs, arms, and torso.

7. Watch Dance: As mentioned earlier your brain interperates dance and then tries to apply the concept to your body when you dance. In effect the more you watch people dancing, and decipher how they do it, while training the better understanding your brain will have of how to make the adjustments for your body. Remember the brain isn't what fails to dance, its your body.

8. Nerves: this was partially mentioned earlier. You must be comfortable to look like a fool. You may be the worst dancer in the room, but letting that get to you and ruin your spirit can make you the worst dancer in the room. Everyone in the room is struggling with some part of the dance. No one is perfect, because if they were they wouldn't be there. Yes people will probably talk about you behind your back, but if you keep a humor about your dancing, without letting it destroy your spirit, this won't bother you.

9. Workout: build lean muscle in the gym. This will help you balance and maintain your center while dancing. The benefits from this are exponential.

10. Teach: there is no bettter way to learn how to dance than to teach others who don't know how to dance, the few things you do know. This strengthens your understanding and also helps someone else out done the path of expression through dance.

These tips are not the endall, obviously, but take them into consideration with your dance training. They helped me emmensly, whilst I was creating them. Thank you.