Dance practice video guide is here! As you already know, you can take all the dance lessons in the world but without practice, your dancing will not get anywhere…just like with anything else in life. I have personally spent a lot of time analyzing what makes the perfect dance practice. And here is my first video podcast where I share the 5 steps I recommend you go through in each of your dance practices.
The 5 steps model:
1. 5-10 min of stretching to prepare your body for movement.
2. 5-10 min of very basic movements by yourself.
3. 5-10 min of advanced moves/choreography pieces by yourself.
4. 5-10 min of very basic moves with your dance partner.
5. 30 min-2 hours of advanced moves/choreography/routine with your partner.
After you watch the video let me know: how do you practice?
Related:
Online dance lessons
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
My wife (Carol) and I practice together about twice a week, usually one hour sessions. I think the advice to go over movements on one’s own before starting together is good, but usually (of course) we don’t do it. Sometimes we focus on one or two dances, but sometimes we just go through all of the dances to see what we can (and can’t) remember.
Hey David,
Going through movements on your own first is very beneficial since both partners are responsible for their own steps, balance, posture etc.
And I think its a great idea to have days when you just go through 1-2 dances thoroughly AND days when you just dance through all of them. Good Stuff!
Practicing by yourself is very important. Practicing can also be accomplished by thinking through the steps, technique, etc, e.g. when you’re on the bus or train. Or even going through the steps by “dancing your fingers” on a table.
The latest research on exercise has shown that stretching before exercise is not beneficial in preventing injury, but a good warm up is. I am a qualified Judo coach but do as much dancing as martial arts, so I do have some understanding of what’s involved here.