| If it is your wish or desire to become a better | | | | me where I got the ball bearings installed on my |
| dancer than you are now, it is my opinion that one | | | | shoes, said that I had the best connection he had |
| of the most important factors is to be trainable. To | | | | felt in a really long time and that it was the best |
| be "trainable" you must be willing to receive | | | | dance he had had in years. I thanked him for being |
| information and apply it. You must check your ego at | | | | so kind and for such a great dance. His compliments |
| the door and pick up your stiff upper lip. You must | | | | reassured me that all of the hard work, practice, |
| be willing to allow your instructor to critique your | | | | effort and willingness to take constructive criticism, |
| dancing, expose your weaknesses and make | | | | apply it and come back for more was worth its |
| suggestions. After all, that is what you are | | | | weight in gold. It made me want to improve even |
| compensating them for. Their experience and their | | | | more. I know that I am trainable! I know that with |
| knowledge. | | | | good instruction, an open mind, hard work, practice |
| Sometimes there may be very simple suggestions | | | | and a willingness to be critiqued I can continue to |
| that are easily applied to your dancing. Other times it | | | | improve my dancing. |
| may take weeks, or even months to break old | | | | So, if it is your goal to become a better dancer, be |
| habits and retrain muscle memory that you have | | | | trainable. Whether you are taking a group class or |
| already established. To prevent becoming stagnant, | | | | receiving private instruction, listen, be willing to make |
| or at your current level of dance, you must always | | | | changes and apply what you learn. To improve your |
| be working on yourself. I know that there are many | | | | dancing you must take what you learn during class, |
| things that I wish to improve. My turn technique, foot | | | | practice on your own and bring it to the social dance |
| positions, connection, timing or even just the way I | | | | floor. If you only utilize the information you learn in |
| hold my hand, my dancing is always a work in | | | | class, during class, you will be the same dancer you |
| progress. | | | | were when you walked through the door. Remember |
| Last night I danced a Country Two Step with a | | | | that dancing is supposed to be FUN! Enjoy the |
| gentleman that I have never danced with before. | | | | journey and celebrate each new step, we are ALL a |
| While leaving the dance floor, he thanked me, asked | | | | work in progress! |