How to Get the Most from your Lessons

So, you’ve decided to pick up ballroom dancing as a hobby.  Congratulations and welcome to the wide world of partner dancing!  You’ve purchased your first dance lesson package and now it’s time to get the most out of your time and investment.

First and foremost, communication is key.  It’s important to be as clear as possible with your instructors about what you hope to get out of your dancing.  Lots of new students come in with no idea what to expect and therefore have a hard time expressing exactly what they hope to achieve.  That’s perfectly normal and not a problem.  Talk to your instructors about what you want to feel, how you want to look, where you can picture yourself using your new skills or anything else that comes to mind related to your new hobby.  If you’re still uncertain, let them know that too because I guarantee you are not the first and won’t be the last.  The clearer you and your instructors can make your vision, the better  and more directed your lessons will be for you personally.

Our second topic is frequency.  The closer together you can keep your dancing the less you will forget and the more progress you will make.  This doesn’t mean you need to take a lesson every day (though wouldn’t we all love that!).  It does mean you need to use your new skills as often as possible.  Private lessons should be kept as close together as your schedule and finances allow to get the most bang for your buck.  Using group classes and practice parties in between private lessons also helps solidify your new skills and knowledge.

Third, we have arrived at practice makes permanent.  This is a double-edged sword.  We definitely want you to practice but we also know that almost nobody has perfect recall.  When you are practicing you are creating muscle memory. This means if you practice correctly you are creating good muscle memory.  But, if you are practicing incorrectly, you are creating incorrect muscle memory.  Whenever you are practicing in between lessons keep a notebook handy.  If you run into questions, stop repeating what you are working on and write down your question to bring to your lesson.  You and your instructor will both be happy that you did.

Lastly, trust your instructors.  They are your guide in this new world and are passionate about what they do.  Everyone who works for the studio is in your corner for this new experience.  Ask questions, follow instructions to the best of your ability and understand that your instructors will never ask you to do something they don’t think you can accomplish.