There are many facets to being an accomplished dancer. Whether your goals are to be a fun and sought-out social dance partner, or a successful performer or competitor, you learn quickly that there is a great deal of information to learn and many skills to build before we can become the kind of dancer we desire.
There are many layers being a skillful dancer, including partnerning skills, musicality, posture, muscle control and isolation, and many more. Mastering even some of these seems daunting, and finding adequate time to practice these skills can be a challenge.
That’s why solo practice is a powerful tool in your dance development arsenal. When you work on your own to develop body actions and skills, dancing with a partner becomes so much more rewarding. Every great dancer spends a great deal of time practicing alone. You can practice alone at the studio, going through combinations, practicing body actions, training your posture and the like. You can also practice in your day-to-day activities. Taking the dog for a walk or running on the treadmill at the gym? Activate your core, and you can also practice your dance posture.
Is there a pesky problem with your posture or your body alignment that your teacher is always addressing? Don’t get frustrated because your teacher sounds like a broken record. Instead, why not practice? Maybe you don’t have time to make an extra trip to the studio, but you can always be thinking about your dancing at work (we know you do already), at play, and anywhere else.
It can be difficult at first to practice solo. We may feel foolish or self-conscious. I recommend that you try it first at home, in front of a mirror in the comfort of your living room. Then, come to the studio early for your next lesson and warm up before with an exercise from your previous lesson. If you need practice ideas, just ask your teacher for suggestions. After you have practiced alone a time or two it will get easier, and you will begin to see results.
The key to developing as a great social dancer or competitor is no secret. It takes time, dedication, and a lot of repetition. If you can do the repetition more efficiently we have an edge, and we don’t need a partner to do what it takes to make you a great dancer, and when you are done practicing alone, reward yourself, attend a practice party or go out to a club and enjoy the benefits.
Lawrence is a teacher at Dance Station. If you would like to take lessons with Lawrence or any of our teachers, call 505-989-9788 to schedule.
Boy, Lawrence, does this column ring true. I have many “broken records” clattering around my head. My problem is that when I practice, there are so many things I could be working on that I don’t know where to start.
Perhaps you could follow up with a column on how to structure a solo practice session.