injury on the dance floor

[ProgressNotPerfection]

he'll be a decent dancer someday?

Chance would be a fine thing….

 

[pianistamediano]

Chance would be a fine thing….

I don't know whether to react to this post with a laughing or crying emoticon...

 

[ProgressNotPerfection]

I don't know whether to react to this post with a laughing or crying emoticon...

Right??? I mean, you almost have to laugh, if you want to avoid crying.

 

[j_alexandra]

Could be that they're taking a long-term view of things in the hopes that he'll be a decent dancer someday?

this

 

[LA.Dance]

In Smooth, now that we are further along, my Pro actually is demanding more of my weight. Sometimes he tells me to take the Lead position and he shows me as a Follow how much he wants me to hang back, and I get exhausted just leading him. Leading takes strength.

As my teacher once said, whoever has knowledge of technology has a greater chance of showing a high level, strength is not always enough, a balance between knowledge and strength is necessary.

 

[DanceMentor]

As my teacher once said, whoever has knowledge of technology has a greater chance of showing a high level, strength is not always enough, a balance between knowledge and strength is necessary.

Yes, this was something of a conflict for me. I have always had a lot of energy when I dance, but there were times when I would use too much energy. There are times to rest a little, and times to really go for it. There has to be some variety. And then of course there are two people doing this together, and the energy levels need to compliment each other. Often the right "technology" as you put it can do things that strength and energy alone cannot.

 

[LitZCT]

We have a new Pro at our studio, who is very capable in terms of his own performance. I have seen him in private lessons with beginners, and again, he is quite good. But every time he teaches a group lesson geared to upper students, like silver cha-cha, he pushes us on technique (good) but disregards that we are NOT in our 20s or 30s (bad). A couple of weeks ago, he actually said when focusing us on turning out the back knee more, "Yes, it should hurt. If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right." I feel it's asking for injury! I like the lessons, so I don't know if I tell him that or just keep going and nod and smile...

 

[fiesta0618]

A couple of weeks ago, he actually said when focusing us on turning out the back knee more, "Yes, it should hurt. If it doesn't hurt, you're not doing it right."

I am going to make a much stronger statement than I typically am willing to:

This should never be said to a group class.

In the context of a private lesson, it is true that there can be moments of discomfort when expanding range of motion or developing unused muscles. But that is not the same thing as pain, and it requires careful attention and active feedback to make sure that the feeling is not dangerous. In a group class, the teacher probably cannot provide that necessary oversight for everyone, unless the "group" is four people or fewer.

Dance should not hurt. Pain is a damage response. Dance should not be damaging you.

 

[Brummbaer]

it requires careful attention and active feedback to make sure that the feeling is not dangerous.

If it requires a greater range of movement, then there should be exercises to promote that range over time. But you're absolutely correct: dance should not hurt.

 

[j_alexandra]

This should never be said

Period.