Putting Myself in My Students' {Dancing} Shoes.....

This summer my dear sister-in-law suggested that we take a dance class together.  I guess after two years spent together in the ballet studio's lounge waiting for our daughters, it seemed like a decent idea.  So....even though I have zip-zero-zilch in the way of dance experience, I agreed to join her for a six-week summer session of ballet/hip hop/modern/jazz.  And hey - I've watched every single season of Dancing With the Stars! How hard could it be?
 Well........... here is my visual of how I would look in dance class:

(That was before I discovered that we would not be wearing pointe shoes.  Hmph.) And here is how I actually looked in dance class:

I know because there is a GIANT MIRROR running all the way across the room. I sorta kinda forgot about that. And here's the thing I realized - I never try anything that I don't think I'll have at least some success with.  I'm just not used to failing so miserably. And that first week was - as my students say - an EPIC FAIL. I immediately sympathized with those students I've had that hang out in the back of the room hoping desperately that I don't call on them. Two things happened in that first class that helped me take on a new perspective.

1. The class went WAY too fast for me.  Most of the dancers had much more experience and already knew the moves and dance lingo. I barely had time to absorb one set of moves before another was added. Lesson Learned: Give my students time to practice at their own pace. Explain and demonstrate any tricky words.

2. My sister-in-law did something awesome and was singled out for praise. I messed up and was singled out for correction. Ouch. I shook it off and tried to do better, but....still....ouch. Lesson Learned: Find a way to give corrective feedback in a quiet way and in private if possible. Always find something to praise, too.

And although I am not going to be a prima ballerina anytime soon - I can say that with some focus and practicing on my own at home - each week has gotten a little easier. And I've taken the "Finding Nemo" inspired advice of my classmates: "Don't worry - just keep dancing...just keep dancing!"  And there's a lesson in that, too.

Tonight when I got in my car to head home after dance class, I laughed out loud when this song shuffled through my ipod - and I just had to sing along.............

"I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" - The Scissor Sisters

"......so I'll just pretend that I know which way to bend....."     :-)