Week 4 - Ceroc Dancing

Week four

This evening myself and my partner went out for dinner. Later into the evening we went dancing. I wanted to lead my partner as I knew the moves. Being the bloke, of course he wanted to lead. We had loads of fun, and I was surprised that he knew so much. I went the flow and we had a really good time. Participating in this occupation with someone you care about, brought a different meaning as you were able to get right into the moves very close, and not feel uncomfortable. This is something that I would like my partner to do we me, but he wasn’t so keen on going to classes, and has other priorities with work.

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. 

Week 2 - 'Ceroc Dancing'

Tonight’s evening of dance we were to learn three new skills, plus a skill I learnt last week (see picture below). The name of the dance move is placed on the board to help us learn. I feel the purpose for today’s session for me was to build more confidence, by acquiring some new dance skills to add to the previous ones from last week.

The occupation Identity

The roles and routines are the same each week. The man leads, the woman follows which we both follow the tutors, who explain and demonstrate the moves. How I identify myself at the moment, is a bit timid, and quite focused (as distractions confuse me). How I have observed others, is to be very confident in the way the person holds there head up high, shakes their hips and really work well with certain partners. There to tend to be people there that look like I, in the fact that we are beginners and are learning. Obviously our identity in dancing will grow over the next few weeks, as those who are new, are exploring their identity. Also I have come to learn that other members of the dance community dance in other dance communities, therefore establishing a very strong and confident dance identity.

Technical Aspects

Some materials I observed may be the way you dress. There isn’t a dress code, but what I have observed the ladies like to wear high heels, and possibly a skirt or dress. For myself, I dress comfortably, but when I have more confidence I may try some heels. As an individual, materials and equipment is not essential, the instructors provide the music and the instructions, so we quite happily dance the night away.

Personal Reflection

So tonight was my second evening of 'Ceroc Dancing'. The usual routine happened in moving around in the circle, except this week we learnt three new skills and repeated one from last week. What I have learnt from this week is to let the man lead, which in turn helps my timing for the next move. At times with the men that are learning, I found myself leading, but this was to help them out, as I like to help people learn. Tonight I felt I had more confidence, and I am working on flicking my hip more. There is still plenty more skills to be learnt, and I hope to remember them all next week. My feelings at this stage, in continuing with this occupation are strong, but it does depend on other commitments in my life, as to whether I can continue with this class.

 

This picture is how each move were presented on a white board.

CEROC DANCING - Week One

The Occupation and the Activity

My brand New chosen occupation that I will be participating in for Semester 2, is Ceroc Dancing.  This specific activity I feel falls under sport, an active activity or active performance. When first selecting this occupation and thinking about a classification, I feel the taxonomy for Ceroc dancing would fall under a leisure activity, performance/participation or active participation. After participating in this on first night, and experiencing the environment, I feel there is possibly room for more possible taxonomies.

The characteristics for Ceroc are, dancing with a female and male, and the male is suppose to lead. I find this quite difficult, as I tend to be a leader. The purpose for me right now to be attending and participating in dance classes, was purely for a paper in my course for Occupational Therapy. I am yet to discover, why other cultures would participate in this occupation, but I feel I am going to discover a lot myself from this new found occupation on “Ceroc”.

The Occupation and Identity

This company/group is called Addiction Dance, which is a club held in the church hall in either Hamilton or Tamahere. The norms of the session, you are required to dance with a man. The men stand in one spot, and the woman move around the circle. A norm that I cotton on to was to introduce myself to every man, and this was reciprocated kindly back.

Technical  aspects

More common material used would be the sound system for the music. This is portrayed in using a laptop with appropriate dance music loaded onto it, speakers and the instructors wear a microphone to project their voices, so they are clearly heard. 

The Environment

I am learning this new occupation of Ceroc Dancing, in a church hall in Hamilton. There is also classes held out at Tamahere, but  Hamilton is more convenient for me. Socially more with the man as you do not dance with the woman.

Learning the Occupation

Men and woman stand opposite each other. The instructors give out instructions and demonstrated the dance moves. I practice with one bloke, then move on to the next and practice again. We would do this say five times and then try it to music. I enjoy it with the music, it tends to relax me more. This would run for 50min, and then you able to free dance with whoever you want, to consolidate your learning for the evening, or for others just to have a good dance.

Participation Barriers and Affordances

A class mate convinced me to do this occupation, as he enjoyed it so much.

The instructor assist me and the group, but also I feel the more advance dancers help enhance my learning, as the men take control, and guide you through the dance moves correctly. I differneatly like dancing with the music, this enhancers me to relax, flow better and move correctly with the music. Barriers for me right now, are the men that don’t lead, or the men who are also learning, as I need them to be leading me! To overcome this barrier, I will practice more through doing the freestyle dancing at the end of the session, to improve my skills to gain more confidance.

Personal Reflections/advice from one’s Experience

Today was my first session for Ceroc Dancing. I wasn’t particularly motivated for dancing tonight as life is just feeling a bit overwhelming at the moment. My initial thought was that I have to learn this new occupation for my school project.

I was picked up this evening from a school buddy, who was the one who convinced me to do this occupation. When I first arrived, I was nervous, I didn’t know what to do or where to stand. I didn’t have a partner so I just followed the people to join in a circle. Men and woman stand opposite each other. The instructors gave out instructions and demonstrated the dance moves. I would practice with one bloke, then move on to the next and practice again. We would do this say five times and then try it to music. I enjoy it with the music, it tends to relax me more. This would run for 50min, and then you were able to free dance at the end of the session, with whoever you want. This would help in consolidating my learning.

So I learnt four dance moves this evening, which was very satisfying. I had a laugh with people I didn’t even know, who guided me throughout the evening to have the most fun that I have had in ages. There is plenty more to be learnt, and I can’t wait to go next week. I went home with a smile, felt like I was a kid again. Not a worry in the world. It was a fabulous evening!!!