Thread: back to beginners

I have decided to sign up for a beginners egyptian technique class. I am really hoping it will give me a fresh perspective and some inspiration as well as go over the fundamentals that I tend to get lazy about after having gone pro 8 years ago. Geesh, time flies! Has anyone else gone back to beginner classes after being in the dance scene for quite some time? Did you find that you got anything out of it? The weird part is that the instructor and I took beginner classes together a decade ago. However, unlike me, she ended up spending quite a bit of time in Egypt studying. I hope the can transfuse some more Egyptian flavor in to my dance style.

I'm considering dancing again and I've been throwing the idea around of going to a beginner class. I'm sure the teacher would want me to take a beginner class since I would go to a new teacher.
It's been five long years since I've danced.

I feel that beginner classes can really help with the things you mention, the lazy-ness factor, giving yourself some extra discipline to really focus on the basics and picking up some fundamental technique from a different approach.

Also hanging out with beginners who are excited by the new things they are learning can help you to get back in touch with the specialness of this dance ... after doing it professionally for so many years it can become a bit like an everyday thing, I don't know about you but sometimes I lose touch and feel like it's just something everyone does. The curse of knowledge ... I feel like if I know it, everyone does too ..l;,

Occasionally I've encountered surprise and even a little dismay from fellow students that I'm in their class that's (supposedly) "below my level". But soon they realise that everyone is an eternal student and we can all respect each other no matter where we are on the journey.

But I do think that if it's a beginner class where most of the students have never danced before and are struggling with basic coordination it could be difficult. They need to know your background so they don't feel hopeless.

Originally Posted by Michelle75

I'm considering dancing again and I've been throwing the idea around of going to a beginner class. I'm sure the teacher would want me to take a beginner class since I would go to a new teacher.
It's been five long years since I've danced.

5 yrs here too! (nice to have company )

I've gone back to beginner status again & realized:

a) it's not just a good idea that I've self-imposed, I'm really *that* rusty & need it!
b) I didn't learn it all that well in the first place
c) I remember why I liked this dance in the first place, it soothes me
d) it takes a heck of a lot of humility to admit you have regressed and to demonstrate said regression in public with people that knew you back in the day or that were baby dancers when you were one of the local "pros".
e) it's gonna be worth it!

I wouldn't go back to beginners with my first teacher if she paid me. She's a better teacher for intermediates, although some of that is because i am better dancer!!!
You need to be sure of teacher's ability as teacher

I love Beginner classes!!!! Star, good for you, you go for it!

I like them cause some times I feel like I've missed something or that my technique has diminished and needs a tune up.

Every now and then I pop into my Instructors beginners class and the first words out of her mouth are, What are you doing here?! You don't need to be here!! That really irks me.

There is so much information to learn. If we miss a day of class we may not get that information for quite sometime or the light does not go on and the information does not register in the brain at the moment it is taught. After the six time the information has been given it finally registers and we stand around and say, why didn't you teach that before? Your instructor is shaking their head, saying I did, I did... and your like .w.:

So I am a firm believer in taking beginner classes no matter what level experience you are at. As I've said before and will say it again, if your learning a new style start at beginners....

in total agreement. It is also good to take beginners class every teacher has their vocabulary and structure for beginners.(If you are not familiar with the teacher)

Alrana

I still take beginning classes sometimes, especially if I want to be in that teacher's class. Beginning class is all about technique and that's always a good thing to work on.