Embracing the Grace: A Guide to Starting Dance as an Adult
Embarking on a journey into the world of dance as an adult can be a rewarding yet challenging experience. Dance demands a unique blend of strength, flexibility, and grace. As you dive into this art form later in life, it's crucial to approach your learning with the right mindset and expectations. Here are some valuable insights to help you navigate the beautiful but intricate world of dance as an adult beginner.
Patience is a Virtue: You Can't Reason Your Way Through Ballet Movements
Most adults approach learning to dance in a fundamentally wrong way - they believe that they can reason their way through it. They expect to “figure it out” like they figure out how to solve problems at work. Then, once it is “figured out” they expect to be able to “do it” and do it correctly.
The bad news is that dance doesn’t work this way. Learning to dance takes years. It takes years if you start when you are 7, and it takes years if you start when you are 37. Children don’t “just learn it faster.” They spend years taking classes and improving their technique. Adult beginners, who eventually become good dancers, also spend years. And they spend these years practicing and doing, not “figuring it out.”
As an adult, you won't be able to reason your way through dance movements. Instead, approach each class with an open mind and a willingness to learn, understanding that progress will come with time, dedication, and consistent effort.
Embrace Your Journey: Don't Compare Yourself to Others
One of the biggest pitfalls for all dancers, including adults, is the tendency to compare themselves to others in the class. It's crucial to remember that everyone's journey in dance is unique, and progress can look different on different days. Rather than focusing on how you measure up to your peers, concentrate on your own growth. Celebrate your achievements, no matter how small, and acknowledge that each person progresses at their own pace. Your best performance may vary from day to day, and that's perfectly normal.
This goes back to expecting learning to dance to work in a straight-forward logical progression. And once again - sorry, not going to happen. You will have days when you finally “get it” and it looks amazing. Then you will have days when you can’t do things you were able to do with no effort whatsoever a week ago. This is where many adult dancers get discouraged and often quit. The key to becoming successful in your dance journey is understanding that this is just how it works. Your body is your body, and it has a mind of its own. Expecting it to work like somebody else’s body will only lead to frustration. Instead, practice what isn’t working, ask your teacher for advice, and give yourself time.
Avoid Forcing Dance Movements
In ballet, turnout (rotation of the legs from the hips) and extensions (raising the legs to a high position) are integral components. In many other dance forms, where these are also relevant, you also need to be able to “move your hips” (in Latin dance), “move using gravity” (in Contemporary dance forms), and make a clear distinction between sharp and soft movements in most dance styles. However, attempting to force these elements can lead to frustration and, more importantly, injury.
Understand that achieving a beautiful turnout and impressive extensions will take time. Moving one’s hips is really being able to isolate different parts of your body while utilizing the correct posture, which will take just as much time and practice. And we all move using gravity, but working out what that means in the context of dance, and how to achieve it - you guessed it - will take time and practice. Work with your body, gradually building strength and flexibility through targeted exercises.
Consistent Practice is the Key to Improvement
There's no shortcut to mastering dance. Just as with any skill, practice is the only way to get better. Consistency in attending classes, complemented by regular at-home practice, will significantly contribute to your progress. Establish a routine that allows you to hone both technical skills and artistic expression. As an adult beginner, you might face physical challenges, but perseverance and dedication will yield tangible results over time.
Starting to learn dance as an adult is a courageous and fulfilling endeavor. Embrace the challenges, savor the victories, and appreciate the unique journey that dance offers. Remember that progress is a gradual process, and each step forward, no matter how small, is an achievement to be celebrated. With patience, self-compassion, and dedication, you can gracefully navigate the enchanting world of dance.
