
Originally Posted by
Marya
I specialize in teaching beginners, especially older ladies, I have come to absolutely love it.
I have developed a number of tricks and tips.
for shoulder shimmies I hold their hands. I have them spread their arms out into the inverted V position then I hold their hands and do shoulder shimmies with them. this helps them to feel what the movement should be while keeping their hands still. This does not mean they will instantly be able to do shoulder shimmies but it gives them a reference point and also a way to practice.
Use chairs if there is no barre and they need help balancing.
for hip drops I have them stand erect with one foot flat one on the ball of the foot and then ask them to drop the hip joint of the leg with the foot on the ball. many will drop the foot. If that happens I put my foot under theirs (the one on the ball of the foot) so that they cannot lower that foot. This prevents them from dropping that foot flat and focuses their attention on the proper body part.
Teaching beginners is way more intensive and hands on. I ask permission first, of course, to touch them. I also have them put their hands on my hips so that they can feel what they should be doing.
Older beginners sometimes have lost touch with their bodies and literally cannot make the connection from their brain to their feet, hips, shoulders, arms etc. This dance is an excellent way to them to reconnect and reestablish those connections.
I have found that holding their hands or having them hold hands with each other somehow helps them make those connections stronger.
I had one lady who could grapevine only if I held her hand, otherwise she just seem to stumble and wave her feet aimlessly around.
Marya
Bookmarks