I try to constantly encourage my students to get out of their comfort zone. As a matter of fact I try to get them to feel uncomfortable at times. I want them to be in an area of movement and style that they are not familiar with. They may not even like it at first but thats ok, because it is all about expanding their comfort zone. As teachers, I think it is very important that we do the same. If every year you teach the same style, tricks and technique I can assure you, it will burn you out. The fact that you are a member of Dance Teacher Web is proof that you are eager and willing to learn new concepts and styles. To continue to grow and expand your knowledge this willingness to accept new ideas will be very important. I am sure you have a certain style or form that you relate with the most. We all do! But you may surprise yourself by venturing out of your comfort zone and experimenting with different styles or forms.
When I first started teaching, my style was on the funky side. After a few years I found I was getting bored with the overall movement I was doing and the music choices that I was using. So I started to do lyrical, then added a bit of contemporary and now have developed a style that combines different movements created from all of those styles. I am sure that I will continue to expand my style and movement even more. I dont believe it happens by accident, but I think it is a process that is initiated by you. I think we all have a certain niche that we excel in and we need to work that part of it, but dont let it stop there. Look for ways to do what you do best but add your own unique twist on it.
How can you do this? Experiment with various forms of music, dance and styles. I challenge you to go back in the archives of Dance Teacher Web and find a style or method that is out of the realm of what you do. View it, learn it, try it and see what comes out of it. You may just develop the next new dance craze! That is the reason we wanted to present a lot of different styles on the website. We believe that for teachers to reach their full potential, they need to experience all types of movement. That doesnt mean you have to teach it all, just experiment with the movement and see what you take out of that particular style. Sometimes the simplest step, move or shape can take your style and overall movement to a new place. If you teach jazz, work on some modern, if you teach ballet, try out lyrical, if you do lyrical go for it and experience some hip hop. I know many of you do several things and may do them well but if there is one form of dance that is out of your comfort zone go after it and see where it takes you. I would be willing to bet that this little experiment will net you new ideas that will surprise you. I once did a yoga class that inspired me for new movement! Something I didnt expect.
When your mind is open and you are willing to commit to something the sky is the limit. Use your knowledge, your successes and your imagination to continue to grow as a teacher. By growing and expanding you will be free from pigeon holing yourself into a certain style that can become stifling to you. To create real freedom as a teacher we need to continue to move into new and unknown territory. If we expand our comfort zone, then our students will reap the benefits of that increase. I know that you will have fun teaching yourself something new. After all that is what we do best, teach!
