When dance lessons are adapted to suit the requirements of a specific group there is greater relevance in dance education and its application.
Here are 6 Valuable Tips while conducting Adapted Dancing workshops.
1. Empathetic Communication
Communication is a very important part of any dance education. Especially so in dance workshops in special groups. When addressing a session it is important to keep a clear and empathic tone to establish a sense of connection and care. Whatever the language of communication maintaining appropriate eye contact provides the necessary connect of being spoken to in the session.
2. Simplicity of Steps
Breaking a pattern to teach by dividing it into simple steps or simplifying it all for every one by choosing easy to do steps makes it more relatable.
In case of dancers with balance issues it is necessary to initially modify / alter steps or reduce directional changes to suit these parameters and progress from there.
Ideally starting of with simply the foot work without working on the arm movements helps focusing on learning one thing at a time. The progression must be gradual in time.
Photo& Artwork credits Savvy Raj
3. Matter of Repetitions.
It is necessary to do a number of repetitive movements of the same steps in order for the muscle memory to form. Hence repetition helps more than switching to other movements.
Depending on the groups capacity to continue taking a pause, interspersed with explanation or some motivation in between is also a good idea so that it does not get too challenging or monotonous.
4. Ease ofFormations
There are different dance formations like the square circle and line etc. However conducting the dance workshop in circular formation is known to bring about a sense of community.
Adapting other dances creatively to this formation initially helps when the participants can see the instructors movements in the center.
5. Slower Music
Besides choosing slow songs even decreasing the tempo of the music aids in keeping up with the music Especially for new group of dancers and dancers with special needs.
6. Value ofInclusiveness
Most importantly ensuring everyone in the group is feeling included and addressed to, is very positively impactful.
Coaching another and transferring skillsets is an art.
Make sure to be responsible for the life entrusted to you to mould.
“To dance is to move with the strength of earth below you, sensing and knowing the grounding beneath you of your convictions.
To dance is to freely be able to improvise your physical and emotional self with the quality of fluidity like the flowing water.
To dance is to ignite the power of passion and fire up your creative movements.
To dance is to be able to glide as if you are as light as the air and soar in grace, as you feel the wind enveloping yet beckoning you to scale new heights of harmonious effusion while dancing with a conscious awareness of your edges and spaces that you occupy in this beautiful amazing world”
Just a casual conversation with a dear friend on Facebook threw open a facet of her innate personality, she loves to watch others dance and probably would love to learn too, but may be a complex of how it might be perceived, or so has kept her from trying. She also believes she has two left feet…
Well this is a notion held by many people, who may be basically shy or introverted by nature, or even perfectionists , or perhaps have some conditional experiences that makes them uncomfortable in daring to dance.
We went about talking as to how this can be helped.
Some simple yet profound movements that can help as starters.
A few things to remember:
It’s important to give yourself permission to begin movements, in whatever way you think best… a bow in prayer, a call out to yourself, or simply start with watching the dance of your breath in passive awareness and feel energized, with your in-breath and with every out-breath sense the release of that which needs to go …respect begins at home!
Sense, observe and feel one with any movement that you make, accepting the strange and the beautiful, the harmonious and the shaky moves … as part of the same source and believe there is a reason why they are what they are .
Take your time! There is no rush to prove anything so go with what works for you.
Preparation:
Allocate a time and place for yourself in the day at home. Clear the space and rearrange some furniture so that you have some moving space, without any obstructions. Option to have a mirror in front is totally yours as and when you want to allow it to happen. Mirrors reflect our actions so it helps to have one as a silent guide.
Make sure to remove jewellery, watches that may obstruct movement & avoid chewing gum as it is distracting.
As you begin moving on your feet it’s better to wear cotton socks for ease and flow of movement and preferably wear stretchable or loose clothes that don’t restrict body movements.
Remember the first time need not be the last time, just don’t give up! As with everything else, practise dancing from the heart and soul and be open to the changes in the flow.
With every movement we create energy in the room or space we are practicing. Each session is different. Sometimes exhausting, energizing, calming, stimulating, etc depending on a number of factors . Try to be receptive and accepting of that energy.
Aim:
To find yourself as you dance, accepting yourself as you create expressions through movements. Sensing the power of letting go & the power of Dancing as you move.
Take yourself a little less seriously. Enjoy Yourself!
My friend questioned me about how to actually start dancing. Having shared endless conversations completely whimsical or tremendously uplifting with her over the years I know her, I simply wanted to reach out to her and remind her, how much she has already moved with her unique experiences, dancing through the tunes of life. How many movements she already has explored in silent rapture and conscious presence. And how many times she has been supportive, constructive, connective ,caring, loving, giving, tender, gentle & corrective in her movements towards the ones she cared. People like me! Well it was time to gently remind her of her own innate creative flows…
Dance to your own tunes.
Depending on what suits your mood at the moment, let yourself hear some tune, that vibrates with the inner you. Knowing her soft and gentle nature, I suggested some soothing music to be played in the background without it being too overbearing. Since she was wondering how to begin… I suggested her to sit down and allow just her fingers, then her hand and then the arms to begin to move with the music, just yielding, flowing as she felt like from the depth of her soul.
Neutralizing the rest of the body allows the ease of tension of perceptions. With just the hands in front of the person as they move, one could draw a circle with each individual hand. trace a simple pattern, write their names in cursive , using the pace and flow that seems right for them. Many who don’t physically dance much in the open are self- conscious of their physical body. So its important to be gradual in the movements. Once the hands start getting comfortable to move from an inner calling of the rhythm, it’s time to allow the sway of the shoulders or even allow the foot to take a step ahead.
Soon the rest of body joins the dance gradually as you allow and acknowledge the presence of the creative dancer in you.
Movements may seem shaky and erratic at first and as you persevere you begin to see the changes.The movement starts getting connected with the inner you and you begin to merge with the tune and the movement.
After all there is a teacher in you for the disciple in you!
