Thread: How to structure a 1 month intensive class?

What do you think would be the appropriate structure for a begginer student?
I know that embrace all the aspects that this complex discipline implies is impossible in one month (rythms, history, music, accesories, steps...)
I think what worries me most is the number of steps, which order and how far to go in one month.
In part it will depend on the progress of the student and the amount of times and hours we'll be rehearsing, but what do you think about:

1. Historical introduction
2. Posture & fitness
3. Arm and hand movements
4. Chest movements
5. Hip movements
6. Basic steps (emphasizing on good technique) *which order?
7. Traveling steps
Who can give me more light about it? What else to include/remove? Any suggestion or advice ladies? Thank you!

have you taught before, or are you starting from scratch, here? I can tell you what I have done to squeeze my regular curriculum down for intensives, but it won't help if you don't already have your basic routine done.

Yes, thank you Lara, I have taught before. I do have already a routine for basic students in group, however this is the fisrt time I'm teaching individually and in such a short amount of time, never done something intensive before...

First question is what do you mean by an intensive? To me that suggests several full days (9am-5pm say) - maybe even a week. But I suspect if you are doing it for a month you don't mean 20 days at 8 hours a day!

So first question would be over how many hours? To be called anything other than a "class", you'd have to be offering more than 4 hours a week. So, I'll assume 20 hours total.

1. Historical introduction - history of the dance and folkloric forms - 2 hours would hardly scratch the surface. I do about 2 hours in my own 10 hour beginner course. Earlier this year I did a 6 hour presentation to more experienced dancers and couldn't cover what I wanted to.

2. Posture & fitness Describing posture is quick. The trick is then reinforcing it while they dance (often people can stand very well but do very odd things once they start to move).

What do you want to cover in "fitness"? I used to do a 75 minute session looking at basic range of movement indicators and then working with simple exercises to improve. Also some stength and control work and core stabilization. This may be worth bringing in a sports physio to take if it is not an area you have done work in.

Personally I don't do any cardio specifically - although I briefly mention it wrt getting ready to do stretches ie big muscles, arms above heart, raising internal temperature etc.

5. Hip movements
Core of the dance. Decide which ones you want to cover. Ensure they are safe for the level of student you are expecting (avoid extension and vertical work for GP). Work out which build on which - eg need to be able to do a hip rock to do a drop, a twist to do an eight.

Plan how you will introduce them - and reintroduce them with variations etc to drill them very deeply. Also extensions and imagery.

The following are not such a big deal - especially in a short time frame:

3. Arm and hand movements

Don't over do this. Add them to hips etc.

4. Chest movements

For beginners I start mobilizing - but don't do much else - it's all in the hips.

6. Basic steps

What do you mean by this? Unless you intend to go way over the 20 hours I assume you'll have - don't bother going passed those basic isolations. They need to get them spot on before adding battas or jewels (for instance)

7. Traveling steps

Yes, a few. But first make sure they can walk gracefully in time to the music. I have students who struggle with a basic scissor walk - so don't be too ambitious.

What about improvisation? Vital part of the dance. Consider veil and maybe zills - just as a taster.