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!!!

Tutorial Eight: Assistive Technology

The term ``assistive technology´´ means technology designed to be utilized in an assistive technology device or assistive technology service (Assistive Technology Act of 1998).

The term ``assistive technology device´´ means any item, piece of equipment, or product system, whether acquired commercially, modified, or customized, that is used to increase, maintain, or improve functional capabilities of individuals with disabilities (Cook & Hussey, 2000).

The term ``assistive technology service´´ means any service that directly assists an individual with a disability in the selection, acquisition, or use of an assistive technology device (Cook & Hussey, 2000).

My interpretation is that assistive technology is the design and the manufacturing of any given product, which is designed to collaborate with assistive technology services and support an individual in living an independent and meaningful life through using assistive technology devices.

In Tutorial today, Trevor from STAR Mobility & Disability Centre, came into class, and presented just a snippet of assistive technology devices that Trevor has to offer in his local store in Hamilton.
The one that caught my eye was the ‘Ergo Rest’.  This piece of equipment is an arm rest that is easily attached to any table or surface and is designed for individuals that suffer muscle weakness, joint stiffness and to prevent or prolong the likelihood of fatigue.
The ergo rest can come in any size or colour, to meet the individual’s requests.  The forearm piece can be modified to fit the individuals arm, and also the length of the attachment from the table can be adjusted to suit the appropriate setting. The retail price from the ergo rest viewed in tutorial was $320.00, and can vary in price depending on size, if in stock or if it is specifically tailored to an individual.

The ergo rest increases occupational engagement, as the piece of equipment in used quite often in the return to work programme.  Allowing for individuals with muscle weakness and mobility problems in the upper extremities enables them to participate in the workforce.  This device also enables an individual to work for longer periods of time. The ergo rest provides the arm to rest, be supported and move freely in using less energy, therefore fatigue will be keep at a minimal, allowing for the individual to partake in the occupation for a longer duration.                                                      

                                                                                  

Christianson & Townsend (2010, p.421) states that “circumstances creating a change in the nature or type of occupational engagement which is pursued by or available to an individual.  Such transitions may be a result of choice, change to mental and physical status, life transitions, geographical change, geopolitical strife or other factors”.

This particular device relates nicely with ‘occupational transition’, which allows an individual to be able to engage in the occupation they desire, through creating a change in their environment, allowing for participation in their meaningful occupation.

Please click on the links below.  This will demonstrate and allow you to have a better understanding into the benefits of the ergo rest.

Youtube clip - Ergo Rest

 Youtube clip - Ergo rest video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e53j_v9Q0-E&feature=autoplay&list=PLDBBB6ABB12830805&playnext=2


Ergo-items

http://www.ergo-items.com/armrests/ergorest/ergorest.htm

References

Assistive Technology Act of 1998 (n.d.). Assistive Technology Act of 1998. Retrieved from http://www.section508.gov/docs/AssistiveTechnologyActOf1998Full.pdf

Christiansen, H. C., & Townsend, A.E. (2010). Introduction to Occupation: The Art and Science of Living. (2^nd ed). Upper Saddler River, NJ: Person.

Cook, A.M., & Hussey, S.M. (2000). Assistive technologies: principles and practice. St Louis: Mosby.

Tutorial Seven: Linking to blogs of interest and exchanging comments

Please see OT related blogs that I have found to be of interest and that you may enjoy too.  They are located to the right hand side of the page, you just click on the desired blog and it will link you right to the page.


       

The chosen blog that I commented on was Mary Wick from Otago.




See below for Mary's reply.