By Bernhard De LucaUpdated
On udansa you will meet other dance enthusiasts who, just like you, want to try out new moves without pressure and with lots of fun. Simply find a suitable studio near you and find the perfect people for your next dance class!
The fear of free movement blocks many dance enthusiasts in contemporary classes. With this practical guide, you will overcome mental hurdles and learn, step by step, how to express yourself freely without feeling ashamed.
The fear of making a fool of yourself in front of others is the biggest hurdle when starting contemporary dance. Many adults freeze up completely as soon as the instructor asks them to move to the music without fixed steps. This feeling of shame is completely normal: our everyday life demands constant control and efficiency from us. Suddenly switching off your head and trusting your own impulses feels unfamiliar and vulnerable. But that is exactly where the magic of contemporary dance lies. It is not about putting on a perfect show, but about discovering your own movement language. When you learn to switch off the judgment in your head, the tension gives way to a deep feeling of freedom. If you want to release these mental blocks when dancing, you can also be inspired by other challenges, such as how to overcome the general fear of making mistakes while dancing. With the right, small steps, free movement quickly loses its terror.
Find a spot in the dance studio where you feel comfortable, preferably a bit away from the mirror. Close your eyes for a brief moment to block out visual stimuli and focus entirely on your breath.
Start the movement in an extremely small way, for example by moving only your fingertips, your shoulders, or your head in isolation. This prevents your brain from being overwhelmed by the concept of the whole body.
Use the floor beneath you as a partner and shift your weight consciously from one foot to the other. Feeling gravity gives you security and shifts the focus away from the question of how the movement looks from the outside.
Allow yourself to repeat movements that feel good, instead of constantly trying to invent something new. Through repetition, your body finds a natural rhythm, and the tension in your mind noticeably subsides.
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Preparation
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The fear of improvisation in Contemporary disappears when you shift your focus from the external appearance to your inner feeling. Set yourself tiny, clear tasks like moving only one hand to take the pressure off your mind.
You can best overcome mental blocks while dancing through conscious reduction. Close your eyes for a moment, breathe deeply into your belly, and focus exclusively on the contact of your feet with the studio floor.
Against feelings of shame in Contemporary, it helps to realize that all other dancers in the room are busy with their own movements. No one is observing you as critically as you judge yourself.
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