By Nelly Mazloum
From
the first lessons the body must be placed on the right path to gain the
advantage of a solid base for physical axial balance. It's madness to
train without a structural foundation in mind.
Proper,
well ordered leveled training technique is an absolute necessity. Random
teaching is not advisable because contradictory techniques muddle the
student's mind with indigestible nervous messages which end into bad
dance habits that are impossible to eradicate later. Teachers who cannot
employ clear and simple explanations on movements and space awareness
are unfit to transfer body-language messages to the motor system in the
brain. Teachers worth their metal must insistently give anatomical
information on posture and how gait is placed in the body during
standing, walking, running, sitting in a fluent manner during class room
exercises. Be natural, don't fake your sense of aesthetics; don't mix
your emotions in heavy cosmetics. The goal is to be YOURSELF, but
improved. Get rid of trimmings.
I
always say to the beginners don't invent in imitation but look deeply
into your limitations and seriously work on your possibilities. If you
cannot do well what you have learned, for heaven sake, don't teach it to
others.
Unfortunately
the great majority of people are unconscious of their incapacitates, to
the great tragedy of those who emulate them.
Students
must develop a balanced sense of criterion, before deciding on an ideal.
Good
teachers talk about discrimination but rarely explain what they mean.
I have
an answer on this, when a student performs a step rightly, she will have
it right for all her life, if she performs a step wrongly for 3 days
she'll have it wrong for the rest of her life.
Some
dancers are surprisingly ingenious in camouflaging their missing
technique. Performers and teachers to unfold in their profession must
integrate themselves to a quality of life able to protect them from
false pretences. When someone tells you, you're an instinctive dancer,
don't take it for a compliment, because it means, you are attractive,
but your dancing is ignorant.
Persons
with a talent who never practice excellence are the worst enemies of
themselves. Confidence in oneself stems from the trust one has in
knowledge. The mind approves and the body consents.
To
choose a teacher is strictly one's personal responsibility.
When
you discover an exceptional teacher don't get stingy. An exceptional
teacher has the potential of turning you into an Artist, what you spend
is worth it, and returns to you double.
Avoid
ego trips and neurotic behavior.
Learning
takes long and time is short. Get smart, work hard and remain truthful
to those who have taught you something to better love and serve your
dancing.
Copyright
©Nelly Mazloum, 2002
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