walden_

Teaching a bellydance class in a few hours. Trying to figure out if I want to focus on stylistic fundamentals for dancing, or movement vocabulary -- I only have an hour after all. Sometimes students want to be able to go home and show off for hubby, do a little dance or at least be able to frame their movements with cool hands or a sassy walk.. but honestly, bellydance is about muscular control and illustrating the music with the body -- which requires a strong movement vocabulary, and being able to push your body beyond its normal flexibility with strength.
The way to get the latter is through drilling. Over .. and over.. and over.

Let me tell you what.. it's a pain in the ass, coming back week after week, when students don't drill at home. It's like you have a class of baby beginners who get frustrated with -you- that they aren't "getting it". Your body has to memorize the movement..

So, it comes down to making them drill in class, which gets boring, and makes the students lose focus.. or, doing fun stuff, sacrificing form, to keep interest high.

I usually combine it, with a goofy sense of humor. I'm watching a dance dvd to see if I can get any strength drills that are fun off of it.


In other news... it's my birthday Monday! I got my nails done in celebration. Hehe. I love this little girly indulgence.