Now well into our regular season of classes, I would like to start this months post by giving a "kudos" to all of our participants in our adult dance and fitness classes. There has been a real eagerness for learning and positivity when it comes to staying fit amongst our participants. It is so nice to see that attending the adult classes at Absolute Dance have become a regular part of a weekly schedule for many. When it comes to getting our sweat on, getting out the door and off to class can be a huge challenge. It takes real commitment to attend a class regularly as an adult when A) Nobody is making you go B) You have likely spent the entire day at work and/or caring for your family and C) There are probably many other things that you could be checking off your to-do list during that hour you are at class. What has been so great to see this year is that two months in, attendance in our adult programs is holding strong and it really feels like the content in these classes can gain some momentum.
Most people have tried some sort of gym-related regimen whether it be getting their cardio in on a machine or attending a group class. Attending an adult dance class, however, is not something that many adults have tried. People without dance experience as a child have many reservations about starting up and it really does take some serious courage (and maybe a friend to join you) to try your hand at dance in adulthood. So, if you have found yourself at the ballet barre or working on your "swag" in a hip hop class - congratulations, it takes guts to put yourself out there and be open to learning something new.
As a teacher, instructing adults is a whole different ball game but it is always refreshing and fun. You have to keep in mind that often people are attending your class for a variety of reasons whether it be fitness, to get out of the house, to learn something new, or because they want to relive the experience they had as a youngster. Whatever the motivation might be it is a welcome challenge to find the balance where you can offer a bit of each to your class. It is also a reminder of the benefits of dance in adulthood. When I was a teenager I remember leaving to go to dance after having an argument with my parents (oh the joys of hormones!) and starting off the class in a full-tilt mood swing but then feeling like whatever was bothering me wasn't really that big of a deal by the time the class ended. There is no doubt that dance is a great stress-buster. Dance builds body awareness which can extend into our daily routine. Learning about posture, placement, and gaining awareness of correct alignment teaches non-dancers to rethink how they are using their bodies throughout the day and can often help out work out the kinks, improve flexibility and ease mobility. Now that I spend much more of my time conducting class rather than taking one when I do take a dance class I am reminded of the intellectual aspect of dance. The musicality, the co-ordination, the patterning and sequences take a lot of brain work. It is most definitely a learned skill that needs to be maintained. I'm sure most people have heard of the benefits of dance in combating serious illness like Alzheimer's. Dance exercises the mind and body.
