I went on a dance holiday in September, in Ibiza. It was a whole week of classes and opportunities to dance with other dancers. Some of these dancers on the holiday were more advanced than me, but the ones I can guarantee were better, were the instructors.
And for the first time, half-way through the holiday, I decided I was going to dance with all three of the instructors as well as the best male dancer. I've been to a few dance weekenders now, and until Ibiza, I didn't have the courage to ask the teachers to dance. I might ask them to show me a move at the end of the lesson, I might even say hello, but until now I haven't had the courage to ask them to dance, believing that I was anywhere near good enough.
But here's the thing, I've finally realised that the only way to realise what you need to learn is to ask the more advanced dancers to dance with you, and to be willing to dance with them even though you might make a mistake, or need to adjust to their style.
This holiday I wore every sparkly outfit I have, we sat at the same table with the instructors at dinner, we relaxed around the pool with them, and you realise they're just people who can dance better than you can. That's why they're the teachers, they're there to teach us. And although we can attend every lesson and practise every step and technique they teach us, the only way to really learn, is to dance with them.
Wearing my sparkliest dress one night may have been a boost to my confidence to ask one of the instructors - it certainly helped that I felt my best. I just went up and asked one of the instructors to dance - and I kept up with him. I also realised I didn't need to constantly anticipate his next move, I just had to be in the move at that moment, and let the next moment happen, and dance.
That dance and realising that I could keep up with Kevin, gave me the confidence to ask the more experienced instructor two nights later, and by the last night I even asked the best male dancer to dance! And this time I could shine a light on my good qualities and laugh at any mis-steps and most importantly of all
- enjoy the dance!
Purlgirl
xx
