Firstly I’d like to explain why I
choose this theme. I had a feeling that I needed to get back to the
beginning...
What is the starting point? This
is the same feeling as the first dance class, after the introduction and warm
up we learn the first position and then we can move in any direction. So the
starting point is the experiences from the past.
I think the basic question is why
does someone want to learn dance?
Their past experiences have led
them to the present (they are at the class) and it can drive us to the
future...I guess
Let’s see what happens...
I remember when I ran my dance school in Budapest, Hungary where I had many young talented students. These ladies were excited about learning, loved challenges and worked hard on technique. Most of them wanted to be an expert. Their purpose was to be a winner at competitions, become known and to ‘conquer the world’.
When I came to the UK, I met many different
types of women. They represented the older generations who have never danced
before and whom required a different context of teaching. They just want to
have fun, gain some knowledge and do something healthy.
Dancing
has many benefits. Dancing amongst other things provides happiness, excellent
physical exercise, raises the heart rate, and burns calories, is way to make
friends, being a part of the community of dance and for many becomes a goal in
life.
There are so many reasons for dancing but I
looked for something else. I realised that whether consciously or not any type
of woman wants to return back to the traditional roots, both professionals and
amateurs alike. They want to get closer to the spirituality and the essence of
femininity. They are tired of having to maintain their appearance from nail
extensions and hair care and external things, and going beyond the health
benefits of dancing and personal aims, they are looking for the feeling of just
being confident women. It is not about expression but it is about harmony.
What is that confidence?
Joyce Meyer the best-selling author at New
York Times says that:” I believe
confident is all about being positive.[1]”
What does this mean?
This means that positive thoughts create a
good feeling body and also the opposite would apply which is that a good
feeling body promotes positive thoughts. Ester and Jerry Hicks say that “the good feeling body is a power basis for
an ongoing good attitude”. [2]
Why do they need that confidence today?
Even if these women are a different type of
woman today with different expectations they have in common a similar life
situation. The world has changed over the centuries especially in Western
societies. Many women are working hard and caring for their children, husband
and home, so there is no time to be a woman. These women often behave like men.
They need to be perfect in many situations and the stress as a result causes
frustration in women’s lives. Due to their mundane jobs or studying they feel
under pressure and this is the main reason why they want to relive their
stress.
There is a very well-known saying from Satire
X of the Roman poet written in the late 1st and early 2nd centuries AD:
"A
sound mind in a sound body".
I
believe that if someone realised that small and smart phrase, it could be the
first step to a harmonious life and they could be on the way to take a first
dance lesson.
Dance makes them newly born and in addition
the movements of belly dancing provides them with a connection between the
body, soul, mind and source of life. Cleansing chakras and enabling them to
integrate that confidence into their personal life.
I am very excited now and I can not wait, the
next steps…
This
observation opened my mind and I started that journey with one question and now
I have got many questions. I feel myself free, as if I can step into several
different directions and I think there are many fields that are waiting to be
explored.
Joyce Meyer. 2011. The
confident woman devotional 365 daily devotions New York, USA: Faithwords
Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Ester and Jerry Hicks 2008. Money
and the Law of attraction Learning to attract Wealth, Health and happyness Padstow,
Cornwall UK: TJ International
I found this an interesting read. However, as a gender minority (male) in the dance field, I ask how you would teach men seeking a start or return to dance class. Would you reach out to them and teach them in the same way you might to older women? I recently had two similar experiences on different continents. A ballet studio outside of my local community offered ballet classes for "teachers and professionals". That studio looked at me as an overweight, balding, man who had no right to be in such an alleged class. I took the receptionist by surprise asking what made them think I had less experience than the teacher who had not listed many performance, teaching, or other experience outside running her studio. Shock and disbelief was the staff's reaction. Why would anyone who did not fit the stereotype of anorexic, vegan/vegetarian/wannabe older lady be acceptable to take a professional level ballet class. Moving forward four weeks to a contemporary class in England I had people offer me a chair to sit and observe a modern technique class. My age and size did not prove to prohibit me from not only taking the class but allowed me to offer an example of how size , age, and shape do not limit a person's ability to dance and express emotion when doing so. The people who had thought I would need to observe the class looked in many different directions when the instructor complimented me on feeling at home in the movement vocabulary used and for "rocking the class". At nearly fifty years of age myself I find I loathe, yes that is a strong word, instructors and studio owners who do recognize the ability to empower all students no matter age, shape, size, or physical limitations. So again, I ask you to reflect on how you would react when approached by male students who might be older and wanting to share the experience of dance you have to offer.
VálaszTörlésIt is a good question. I teach belly dance and this could be the reason why I forgot to write about men, however I really like male dancers as I have learned a lot from them. There are many Master teachers in belly dance over the world. I have attended folklore dance (saidi, dabkeh) rhythms and the feminine belly dance style workshops with them.
VálaszTörlésI realised I have no ability to teach men because it requires a different style of dancing. If a male student comes to my class I always tell him I teach the feminine style, this is my responsibility to tell the truth. If he wants to stay, of course I will teach him like the others.
I have had only one male student in the last 10 years and he was very talented and inspiring, I was very sad when he stopped dancing because of his personal circumstances.
I was writing about the older generation at my beginner class at Citylit. They have just started to learn for only a few weeks therefore I have to consider that they need more patience. If someone wants to have more classes and is ready for the next level, I will advise them of my intermediate or advanced classes. I never differentiate between my students, I just want to give them my best and make them happy and find the best way of learning for each student.
I think men are in the hardest situation at the dance school because there are many women. l think men need support and encouragement especially at the beginning and then they will be grateful and helpful and they will inspire many people.