Dear Gaby
An advice column for dancers
Practice makes perfect .
This is generally true, practicing can get you closer to your dance goals. It’s like anything in life, if we wish to master or just improve on any one skill, a little time and effort goes a long way.
When we are consistent with taking our private dance lessons, group classes and practice sessions, along with going to a dance club, you are perfecting your dance skills every step of the way, and at the very least you are having a whole lot of fun!
In my early years of learning how to dance, I remember my dance instructor giving me homework, it was how to practice my Cuban motion. I was a waitress at the time and I remember practicing while waiting for the food to come out of the oven. I’m sure it was only a minute or two at a time but as I waited I would find a corner in the room and bend and straighten my legs. That minute spent waiting for food orders became my practice time…so as you can see you don’t need to wait. You could be practicing right where you are, waiting at the cross walk, elevator, or bank and in grocery store lines, or in your car while listening to music. These where some of my favorite places.
I am not a very patient person. Waiting at the bank and in grocery store lines drives me crazy, so working on posture and foot position took me out of being in my head and being mad about waiting, so I turned delays into my dance practice time. The time just went so much faster that way.
Southern California traffic can drive anyone mad. Turn up that music and practice your timings: cha cha cha , slow quick quick , triple step triple step rock step.
Yay, you are one step closer to your dance goals.
To dance is to live
Thank You,
Gabriela Young