How to Get Out of Your Comfort Zone in Dance Classes and How it Can Help with Your Growth as a Dancer

 

Hello everyone, and welcome back to the Elemental blog. Today, I wanted  discuss a topic that I think a lot of people question which is how do you get out of your comfort zone in a dance class and how it can impact your growth as a dancer. 

There are definitely many benefits that come with getting out of your comfort zone, but it's knowing that there is no time limit for growth when it comes to that. Speaking from my personal experience with trying a variety of classes, there will be times when you may feel overwhelmed or self-critical since it is something you have not done before, or it can even allow you to find something new that you didn't know you would like if you didn't try it. At the end of the day, it is your journey. No matter how long it takes and how you develop yourself, you can see that you will be a very versatile dancer.

Here are some tips:

1. Stand in a different spot in class: Sometimes we get into a routine where we always want to stand in the very back of the class or we want to be in the front, especially if you are with a familiar instructor. A lot of people tend to be towards the back of the class because they lack confidence or you just don't want to fight people to get towards the front but even if you move to the middle or the side it can really give a different perspective of how to learn the choreography and this applies to both a studio class or a professional dance class. If you tend to stay in the front a majority of the time, try switching areas with the people in the back row, the middle or the side to see how you can move your body in that area and also challenge yourself with choreography retention.

2. Take a Different Style: I know sometimes you can get comfortable with a certain style since you know it well, but taking a style of class that you have never done before can be so beneficial. You can see the different culture and energy that each class gives and also give yourself a chance to really get into a new side of yourself on your dance journey. Dance has so much history, and knowing different styles can really show you that. 

3. Talk to Someone New to the Class: A lot of people look at this and think, why should I do that? Well, from personal experience, I had many instances where I was incredibly new to the class and I didn't know who to talk to. But finding that one person that is also similar to you that is trying the class for the first time or even has been to the class multiple times can really give you a lot of relief knowing that you are not alone in that class and you want to grow together with that person or group of people. Finding that community no matter how big or small can make a huge difference. 

4. Set Small Challenges for Yourself: Instead of trying to completely transform your dancing overnight, try to choose one thing to work on while in class, whether it be details, fluidity, freestyle, performance, etc. These small challenges can definitely really help you process how you learn a process choreography in your own way.

5. Record Yourself Dancing: While not everyone does this, watching yourself can help you identify areas that you feel like you can improve on and also allow you to see your progress while learning in class. 

6. Volunteer Yourself to Perform with a Group or Solo: Being the center of attention is not easy for anyone especially if it is a class or style that you are just now trying, but even if you just are in the back of the group or the front, or just solo in class, it can give you many opportunities to build your confidence and performance as a dancer. 

7. Move to Music You Aren't Used To: Sometimes the best thing to do when getting out of your comfort zone dance-wise is to experiment with different music styles, class tempos, or even different rhythms, whether that be at the studio or class, or even at home. It allows you not just to explore different things in dance but also to help you grow in your freestyle as well. 

8. Dance With People That You Normally Don't Dance With: Sometimes we get comfortable dancing with the same people because they are familiar or just make us feel safe since you know them well. But, dancing with other people you don't know can help you with performing with other people as well as see how you can shine with those people in groups.

9. Take A Class With A Different Teacher: When you are taking either a studio class or a professional dance class, try to explore a different teacher. Sometimes you get comfortable learning from a specific teacher because you have been a student of theirs for a long time, or you just feel more confident around them. But, every teacher has a different teaching style, no one teacher is the same as the other. By doing this, it can challenge you to adapt to different class environments.

10. Stop Setting a Standard For Yourself Based On Your Dance Experience: There are times in class where you can tend to set a standard for yourself in class to be a certain particular kind of dancer, which is not really a healthy mindset when learning or portraying to others. Everyone starts somewhere, no matter what time in their life, age, etc. Sometimes people like you are just starting out, or they have been dancing for a long time, but I encourage you to really visualize that when you are in class or outside of class.

Now, how does this help with your growth? 

Well, there are many different things, and those things can be different for every person, no matter when they start on their dance journey.  It's important to keep that in mind because if we all were the same, we wouldn't be able to show our unique stories through movement, and that truly is a gift in itself. 

Here are some of the things that are beneficial to your growth when stepping out of your comfort zone:

1. It helps you discover your strengths: Sometimes, while taking a new class, you may realize that even though you thought you wouldn't like it at first, you may find out that you are really good at it, or it brings out a different side of yourself that you had yet to discover. It's truly amazing to see that when you really look within and see that positive side of those kinds of experiences.

2. It builds confidence: A lot of times, when you go into a new class, you walk in very nervous, not knowing if you are gonna feel comfortable in the class. Doing this can also prove to yourself that you can take on new challenges when learning choreography.

3. It develops your performance skills: Since you decided to try something new in a style that you don't know, it can encourage you to bring more of yourself into the choreography that you learn, whether it be showcasing your personality, facial expressions, textures, fluidity, etc. 

4. It reveals your potential: You may discover during this time that you may have strengths, abilities, or styles that you didn't know that you had before trying the classes that you did.

5. It helps improve your versatility: Taking classes in different styles such as Hip-Hop, Floorwork, heels, Twerk, Commercial Pop, Femme Funk, Reggaeton, Latin Fusion, and more can improve your movement vocabulary and bring those elements to use in other classes that you take in the future.

6. It strengthens your musicality: Dancing to unfamiliar music or rhythms helps you improve how you interpret music and improve your freestyle abilities in class. 

7. It helps you overcome your fear of mistakes: When you are growing during this period, it helps you realize that it is okay to make mistakes, learn from those mistakes, and try again. 

8. It improves your adaptability: Since you have tried learning from different styles and sometimes even different levels, you can prove to yourself that you can learn combinations quickly or dance in ways that you aren't used to. You also realize that being comfortable with discomfort makes those types of situations easier.

9. It allows you to embrace your nerves and transform them into excitement: Instead of fighting those feelings, you can transform the nerves into the expression of your movement. Adrenaline can sharpen your focus and add an extra spark to your steps. It can remind you that these nerves are just your body's way of saying that you are ready to go out there and shine bright like a diamond.

10. It allows you to commit and do something for yourself no matter what anyone else thinks: You can show yourself that you can commit to always trying something new, no matter if anyone likes that you are doing it or not. It shows yourself and your teachers that you are committed to growing in every way, and hopefully inspires others to do the same.

Ultimately, getting out of your comfort zone does not mean forcing yourself to do every style at once. It just means taking baby steps so that you can challenge yourself, so that you can become a more confident, versatile, adaptable, and well-rounded dancer. I am here cheering you on in this journey!