written by   on 11.07. at 11:02:22

Don't panic! You're not expected to be Nijinsky or Nureyev (yet)!

I think rule number 1 is to relax and have a go at the step, even just once (and on your own at the back if necessary). The most important thing is to try. I had a problem with pirouettes (still do) - but my teacher insisted that instead of always doing pirouette preparation when everyone else turns, I attempt to turn too. "It doesn't matter if you only complete a quarter turn, if you don't even try to turn you'll never learn to go round." So for months I floundered around, lost my  balance, looked stupid as ever. And then a week or so ago, when I wasn't really thinking too hard about it, something just clicked - I guess my body took over and I just sailed round, easily.

The biggest hurdle for adult beginners to overcome is the mindset that somehow, once you're over the age of 20 or 21, you're supposed to be able to do everything perfectly first time; and that if you can't, you shouldn't be attempting it. CRAP! When you're in class, imagine you're a kid again and hurl yourself around for all you're worth - sure, it hurts more when you fall over, but you'll learn faster :-)

The only thing that looks worse than messing up a step in a sequence is stopping and standing still. I try to focus on getting in to the music, so that if I get lost or out of sync, I can try to improvise my way back in to the enchainement - any step looks better than none, even if it's not what you're teacher asked for!

>>> And just what, if I may ask, is your own dance bete-noir?

I wouldn't know where to begin - glissades, I think (though I'm working on them). Chainee turns are pretty nasty, too - I end up either (i) in the wrong corner, or (ii) more often, on the floor. But I just "pick myself up, dust myself off.... start all over again!".

A.