TRUST THE PROCESS

You can't get from A to D without mastering A, B, and C first. It's the truth. I preach this religiously in my classes. You just can't get the results that you want by not mastering A, and skipping B and C. You have to trust the process. Sometimes the process is grueling. Sometimes the process takes a long time. The truth is this;  you can't cheat and expect the same results as someone who took the time to go step by step. In a day and age where instant gratification is the norm, taking your time to train can try one's patience, but to succeed with proper technique you must be diligent in your efforts. Pressuring your teachers to progress class in a rate in which you are not ready is not the answer. Practicing things that are too advanced will only create bad habits, if you have not laid the proper foundation. The solution is practice the basics until you are blue in the face! Have a strong solid base upon which you can build. The hardest part of technique isn't the advanced part, it's the beginning part. Once you master the correct body placement, the sky is the limit! Get the flexibility, strength, and placement correct so your base is set for everything!

Once you hit the intermediate and advanced levels, don't forget to take a beginning level class to keep your foundation strong. I'm going to switch gears for a minute, but it will all make it sense in the end. If you haven't figured it out by now, I love dance and competitive sports. The late John Wooden (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden) is considered by many to be the greatest basketball coach in history.  He led UCLA to 10 national championships in 12 seasons (1964-1975). He recruited and got the best players from high school, including Basketball Hall of Famers Bill Walton, Gail Goodrich, and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. These guys were all great players before ever setting foot on the UCLA campus. John Wooden started every years' first practice by going over the proper way to put on socks, and how to properly tie your basketball shoes. He went over every fundamental, including how to properly execute a bounce pass and how to dribble, before moving on to complex plays, movements, other complexities such as team defense. Dance is no different. You must continue to drill the basics. A basic balance is invaluable. Continuing to practice a single and double pirouette should never cease. Beginning barre work is a staple that should never go away. Working to secure the proper hip placement in extension should never get old. Returning to the core foundation will only make you a stronger dancer. Isn't that the goal? Who doesn't want to be a better dancer? Never look at fundamentals as boring. Think of fundamentals as your future. 

Choreography is a lot more fun if you have security in your technique. Technique is nothing without style. Style is nothing without technique. They go hand in hand. With dance, there isn't an easy way out. You have to earn it. The playing field is equal, and it's all up to you. You decide what the outcome will be. How cool and empowering is that? Take the motivation and run with it.  See how far you can go!

Dance hard. Dance smart.

Meredith
thecompetitiveedgebymeredith.blogspot.com

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