Keeping Practice Exciting

[DanceMentor]

What do you do to keep practice exciting? Here are some of my suggestions but I would like to hear yours.

1) We'll run through all of our routines one after the other without stopping to discuss it.
2) We'll discuss any moves where one of us feels improvement is needed
3) We'll work on improving that area

or

1) We pick a dance we want to work on (e.g. Tango)
2) We work on technigue the whole time (e.g. Walk fprward and back, turning to promenade,etc.}
3) We finish by dancing our routine for that dance

or

1) We review video footage of ourselves dancing or taking a lesson.
2) After the initial shock is over we discuss ways to improve.
3) We start working on it.

[SDsalsaguy]

I don't know, this may sound nuts, but I don't need to do anything... until I am either physically or mentally exhausted, I'm always game to practice! I love it. It’s actually been during practice that I've hit those absolutely sublime moments, the truly transcendental ones, which are the epitome of all that dance can be. I’ve only had two such instances, but my G-d, those alone are worth every ounce of sweat and tears, of hours and dollars, of effort and disappointments.

What I have trouble with is getting motivated to practice on my own, if I’m working with a partner…hell, that’s what I live for! (Speaking of which, I just found someone interested in putting together a one-time performance number with me—yay! Given that she’s away at other comps for the next two weekends, and my upcoming travel schedule thereafter, I have no clue when we’re actually going to be able to work through and choreograph out our music, but what the hell, I’ll be dancing!)

[pygmalion]

Let's face it. Routines are exciting. Dance drills are boring. So for the routines, I do as SDSalsaguy does. Just practice and have fun. The drills, I break into tiny (one minute or less) pieces, then incorporate them into the rest of my non-dance life all day long.

For example, I do footwork drills while I'm cooking dinner or practice standing in releve while I'm brushing my teeth. Just fit in the boring practice drills wherever I can.

[pygmalion]

Another related question: HOw much do you practice. In another thread, someone mentioned five hours for every hour of lesson time. Is that realistic? What do you do? Anyone?

[SDsalsaguy]

The numbers I've always heard are at least 3 hours practice per hour of lesson time...ahough 5+ is better. The whole point, after all, is not just to have information but, rather, to make it one's own.

[DanceMentor]

Try practicing at a new location.
That makes a big difference for me sometimes.