Being a dance teacher

Being a dance teacher — is it only about teaching moves and technique?

I have been teaching dance since 2015, and I have had all kinds of requests for lessons. And quite often, it isn't actually about the movement. If you really listen — read between the lines — it is always something deeper and more personal. There is always something about life in it. Or the request is about a move or a technique, but to execute it, you need to see the person, not the bone-and-meat machine.

The most joy and fulfilment I get from teaching is the moment a person drops the protective armour, lets go of something, becomes relaxed and free. That is the moment they shine their own light. In those moments, I feel that my mission has been accomplished.

Have you ever heard of somatic therapy? It happens, unconsciously — or maybe consciously — during our dance journey. Dance is a metaphor for life. Movement says tons about us as personalities. Body language tells the story of our traumas and our coping mechanisms; sometimes it doesn't whisper, it screams.

Ask yourself, my friend, why you dance and what dance actually gives you as a person. You will see. It is way more than just physical activity.

For instance, here are some of the things people have come to me about:

• I haven't been enjoying dancing recently.
• I want to be a comfortable partner for everyone.
• I'm not inspired to dance.
• No compression (do you trust men, or people in general, enough to give them compression?).
• Enormous muscular tension, not breathing, never releasing or letting go.
• Needing to impress in order to express.
• Feeling uncomfortable in the spotlight.
• Too shy, too anxious, don't like being seen.
• A random partner gave me negative feedback.
• I freeze when stressed.
• My boyfriend says I'm not sexy. Teach me some moves.
• Need to have everything planned.
• Can't improvise.
• Don't want to look stupid.
• I am too much / not enough.
• I am not good at spins and will never be.
• Never present in the moment — my mind is always somewhere else.
• I want to be like her / him / you (why not yourself?).
• I can never remember the routine, the footwork, any of it.
• I am short, tall, petite, big, and will never be able to do this and that…

The list goes on. Some people are open-minded enough to hear, and to see, that it isn't really about the move — it's about a limiting belief that took root somewhere in a past experience.

Being a dance teacher is a fantastic job. I absolutely love it. I think I have found my Ikigai.

As a dance teacher, you learn about yourself and about life with every new person who walks in.

Dance is a journey of self-discovery.

Dance teachers — can you relate?