Week 3 Ceroc Dancing

Personal Reflection

Tonight was loads of fun. The same routine applies (the doing), in learning three new moves and repeating one from the previous week. Tonight started off a bit slow with the men, which then leaves the woman standing without a partner. This slowly grew throughout the session, but this is why it is key that the woman move around the circle to ‘enable’ participation for everyone. Tonight I felt more sense of belonging, as members of the group greeted me with a recognizing smile, as I do to them. This enabled me to engage in friendly conversation, and I was able to start learning some of the men’s names. (A couple each week, means I will not forget). One particular move we learnt tonight, which is a spin on the spot, the instructors gave us TIP around ergonomics. First tip, thinking from the technical aspects, the shoes you wear. It was recommended that they are a nice easy slip, to enhance the spin on the spot. If this was not possible as some ladies wore shoes with grip, the instructors were able to alter the move.  You were then able to complete the move in using both feet to turn, in spinning from one to the other. This enabled for all the ladies to participate in the new skill of the spin.

In learning of the occupation this week, our instructors advised us of a Step up 1 workshop. This session would comprise, teaching the correct footwork, cross pressure with arms and timing. This session is to help in advancement, as the tutors don’t have time in the dance classes to fine tune our skills. I would be interested in this class, but a wee problem is the financial side. Being a student, priorities for money is elsewhere, but it is something that I will consider.

The highlight for the evening was the pleasure in dancing with the instructor. He took the lead, pushed me around, taught me new skills and gave me some pointers to work on my style. This has enhanced my learning of this occupation, which has giving me more satisfaction in making this occupation more meaningful. This is all about becoming a dancer.

Other affordance's that assisted my learning this evening, was the lovely gentlemen who I dance with before the tutor. He also took the lead, taught me some new skills and made the dancing feel easy, free and satisfying. He made me feel like a dancer, and made me feel like I am really a part of this community. This then enhanced my dancing with the tutor, so I didn’t feel so useless and nervous.

Each week I am learning something new, and it is a satisfying and pleasurable occupation to be participating in. Most of my occupations I have participated in the past, have been very competitive and goal orientated. With this occupation I like that I don’t know where it is going right now, but love learning the new dance moves each week. Progress is happening, but I am not putting pressure on myself to be taking it further at this stage. In this hour, when I am dancing, it makes me forget all my worries. I really enjoy dancing, but something I would like in the future in a regular dance partner.