When you learn ballroom dancing, the fun begins on your first lesson. Of course, you’re curious about what’ll be like. It all depends on you. That’s because your life choices are influenced by how you learn. Here are 3 helpful questions to ask:
- Do you enjoy learning new things?
- What kind of work do you do?
- What do you do for fun?
We’re trying to see how you spend your time. That will tell us a bunch about you and allows us to customize your ballroom dance lessons. Knowing the answers to these 3 questions lets us deliver the material to you in the best way possible.
As an example, let’s compare engineers and martial artists to find out how they learn.
Martial artists tend to be emotional, feeling learners.
For this reason, when learning ballroom dancing, they don’t need a detailed breakdown of each move. It would be wrong to insist they learn technically. They wouldn’t enjoy it.
Additionally, some elements of martial arts are very much like ballroom dancing.
- Just like ballroom dancing, martial artists are trained to use good posture to improve balance, weight transfer, and spins.
- Martial artists learn forms for continuity and muscle memory. In fact, forms are similar to step patterns and choreography in dance.
- Sparring is another major aspect of martial arts. Being aware of your opponent’s position is similar to the partnership skills that are taught in ballroom dancing.
- Finally, the martial artist is experienced in performing in front of people and does so with confidence.
Watch this martial arts demonstration team perform a beautifully choreographed show.
Unlike martial artists, many engineers are technical learners.
Accordingly, they are analytical and extremely detail-oriented. They love to break things down.
- As professional students, engineers are comfortable taking notes and often carry a binder filled with details about their ballroom dance lessons.
- Engineers live to master new challenges.
- They find it useful to make videos of their lessons. This lets them visually review their lesson should they have a question.
- Technical learners pride themselves in having the proper equipment such as the right ballroom dance shoes, ballroom dance music, and, of course, their notes.
- They practice – a lot!
In conclusion…
Keep in mind, martial artists can be technical learners and engineers can be emotional, feeling learners. Also, some people are a combination of the two learning styles. What about you? How do you learn best?
Both engineers and martial artists make awesome ballroom dancers. There’s more about learning to dance in this Dance Safari post, “What are the First Few Ballroom Dance Lessons Like?“
Thanks!
My father was a third dan black belt judo instructor, Barbara. I managed brown belt before retiring around thirteen or fourteen. I loved competition with the boys, who I generally beat… haha… Tomoe nage was my fabourite throw, as were backward and forward rolls, etc. It was such fun! Anything that involved movement, I loved.
Not the engineering type, though. More of a natural dancer, runner, etc. This has always been something I’ve had to deal with. Keith is the engineering type – should I say was, since his knee now keeps him off the dance floor. However, his need to practice saw me, as his partner, quite tired. He needed practice; I didn’t so much!
You are absolutely right. People generally fall into those two categories! Some a little of both. Some one or the other…
Carolyn, once again you understand and prove my point. Great!
Barbara