“If you believe in me, I’ll believe in you. Is that a bargain”? {Unicorn}

The joy of being a student, when the right teacher believes in you–

How we succeed as a student is intrinsically linked to how we succeed in the world itself. it takes more than just ourselves, it does take a village.

”How can we improve at dance”? 

Equals 

“How can we improve at learning”

Creating art and movement to music, requires emotional intelligence. It requires a connection from your cognitive self to your physical self. When are we most content and connected to our emotions? When are we likely to execute beautiful physical expression or movement to its fullest….?

…When we are safe, confident, in touch with who we are.

It is up to the teacher to create the safe space for the student to act naturally; Connect to the role; Connect to the character. 

It is up to the student to be open, brave and have a strong sense of autonomy.

As a child, in life, I was scared to talk, I was shy. I was stifled in speech, I had a lisp, I had anxiety, I had panic attacks. However, once I found the right dance school, I found a way to express my emotions, my feelings. It was my gentle and wonderful teacher that allowed me to dive in and constantly look at anatomy of movement, physics and my feelings. The why, the how , the result after a 1000 tries. he told stories, made it relate to life itself. he was gentle in coaxing our true personalities out. I realize, I was a natural student, however, it was most discovered when I had a natural teacher.

I knew the lessons that I learned by failing over and over, were vital. I knew I was safe to fail. Learning how NOT to do the movement, in a safe place, led me to be able to eventually DO the movement.’ Once can only achieve that, when one feels safe.