CONSISTENCY IN ADULT LEARNING Part 2

Consistency is key for building knowledge and improvement in any activity. Encouraging your adult students to be consistent across all aspects of their classes will set them on the path to success.

Consistency In Effort

Consistency in effort can also be very dependent on the emotions of the day, and life outside the studio heavily influences this. It can be great one week and feel less so the next. It can even swing between the two within a single class. So how do you encourage consistency in effort during class?

Ballet is truly an ‘in the moment’ experience, and when the dancing stops, that moment has passed. Ask your students to approach each enchaînement with renewed effort every time, not allowing what has gone before to color their view. Of course it’s important to hold on to the corrections and instructions that you give them, but if something doesn’t work, it’s important they learn from it, and then let it go. This is one of the most challenging aspects of learning ballet, however encouraging your students to find consistency of effort in every moment that they’re dancing will bring clarity to their movements and thoughts.

Consistency In Thinking

The last area to consider is consistency in thinking. Turning pesky negative thoughts into positive ones only takes a bit of practice. As the teacher, it’s your responsibility to create a positive environment for your students where they don’t feel belittled for their mistakes, but encouraged to learn from them. Remind your students that there is always opportunity to improve and refine their ballet technique and that learning ballet is an ongoing process – it’s not just about ticking the boxes! The beauty of the adult ballet experience is that there is always the next class to practice again.

Boost Your Body Confidence

When you are dancer you are being body scrutinized all the time. It is your instrument. When performing people are looking at your body moving. In an audition you are being checked out. Even in the class room you spend hours looking at yourself in the mirrors. It is constant. Yes, this is all true so you have to be able to develop the confidence in you. Be resilient and accept all the judgment that comes with a dance career.

Here is how you do that. This is a good place to start.

1. Name What You Like About You.
Look at yourself in the mirror. See what you have, not what you do not have. Accept the things you are not good at. But, what are your really good qualities. Work on them. A beautiful line in an arabesque or a fantastic shimmy? Small chest, we can fix that in costuming. Be positive.

2. Filter Feedback.
Take advice from well meaning people with a grain of salt. Filter it. Some of it might be worth keeping. Some not. Be realistic. Be strong about your strong points also know your weak points and work on them

3. Focus On How You Feel.
Try not to feel insecure. Wear what makes you feel comfortable. Always enjoy the movement. Relax, do not try to be perfect.

4. Study Other Body Types Like Yours.
Yes, find a body double. Identify movement qualities you admire in these dancers and try to bring those attributes into your own dancing. See how that person makes up for whatever it might be.

5. Be Grateful for What You Can Do.
Remember all the amazing things you can do. Find balance and perspective wit your body image. Use your best skills and make them better.

6. Do Not Pin Your Hopes On What Others Do.
You are more than just a body. Look for a place where you belong. Draw strength from what is going on outside the dance world.

Look at your whole life, not just your body and pursue the project of being a balanced human being.

Morwenna Assaf, Educator and Choreographer
Arabic Style Dance and Movement
ArabiDanseAcademie@sbcglobal.net
https://ArtDanceAcademy.webs.com

:
760-715-2276 Online – In Studio Sessions
Walid Assaf, Rhythm Master & Musical Director

Location: New Market TN 37820

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