If you have been following from last time, I was relating my experiences at the West Coast Swing Dance Camp in Ancaster, Ontario - 5 gruelling days that taught me a lot about what drives us, whether we’ve been dancing for 10 months or 10 years.
The first two days of camp were challenging, but I knew from past experience that the worst - and best - were still yet to come.
Day Three:
I’m getting better at just ignoring my complaining feet now, but my exhausted mind is another story. I switch from pants to shorts, hoping the cooler temperatures will help keep me awake.
At the next coached practice, Matt stops me yet again over my styling. ‘You have to tone it down, especially in your upper body’ he says. I’m trying, but my weary body can’t seem to find the balance between too much styling and too little.
I keep reminding myself this is part of the process, thinking of how last year I was so frustrated I wanted to quit on the spot, and how glad I was when I stuck it out instead. The breakthrough is coming… Just a little longer…
It comes during a styling class with Cameo Cross, in which only the leaders can hear the music played through their earplugs, while the follower’s try to emulate the style of the song based on what their leader does. Barely 10 seconds into the first song, Cameo tears into me.
‘You aren’t paying any attention to what she’s doing’, she points out. ‘You’re just focusing on your own moves.’
I blinked. ‘What?’
‘You have to watch your partner more, let them experiment with what they think is happening, and then compliment them with your own movement. If you just try to show them, the connection becomes dead at the wrist.’
Gradually the implications of what she is telling me sinks in - I was so used to ballroom dancing, where the leader initiates most of the movement, I’d forgotten that my partner has equal input.
The next coached practice is a revelation: Not only can I create great moments with my partner, many of the best styling moments have nothing to do with me! I simply respond to what my partners do, rather than ‘forcing’ my own moves. Many of them congratulate me on passing a major checkpoint in my dancing.
Like most of us, I’d passed through a rough patch in my dancing, but had made it to a new level through the power of perseverance. I don’t have any special talents in this regard; I simply kept pushing until something gave. And so can you.
Next time, I wrap up with my final and most important discoveries about how important perseverance is, and how it’s something we all share regardless of our ability level.
About the Author
Ian Crewe has been dancing ballroom for over 16 years, and has a Licentiate in American smooth and rhythm. He currently teaches at the Joy of Dance Centre, Toronto, ON, Canada. Click here to see when he's teaching.