[Sportsandrec] dance lessons

Tue Dec 23 23:56:52 UTC 2008

Hi all,

Thanks for the advice.  That's right that if I took it I would likely dance with all the guys in the class.  This one 
is for singles and couples so not all participants will come with partners.  The instructor said you do change partners during class but I don't know how often.  Its probably every couple songs.
My concern is the pace.  If someone explains it that takes longer to learn than just seeing it and imitating the move.  So wouldn't that take away from my partner's time to practice?  

I'm glad it was not an issue for those of you who wrote in.

Ashley

-----Original Message-----
>From: "Cervenka, Stacy (Brownback)" <Stacy_Cervenka at brownback.senate.gov>
>Sent: Dec 23, 2008 4:39 PM
>To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
>Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] dance lessons
>
>Ashley,
>	Partnered dancing is probably actually one of the easiest phys
>ed or recreation classes a blind person can take; the accommodations
>you'll need will be very simple. I grew up taking ballet and tap dancing
>lessons and, in college, I took two semesters of social dance, a
>semester of swing dance, and a semester of ballroom dance. I can often
>be found on Friday nights at Nick's Nightclub, where they kick off the
>night with line-dancing, two-stepping, and quick-stepping lessons. I've
>taken three different blind guys (with varying levels of dancing
>experience and desire to be there at first) to the dance lessons at
>Nick's and every single one of them had a great time, had no problems
>keeping up in the two step lessons, and say (at lest, to my face) that
>they would go back again.
>	As several people have suggested, having the teacher use you as
>an example is a great way of learning new steps. The instructor will
>show you what you need to do and the rest of the class can learn by
>watching you. They're going to use somebody as an example anyway; it
>might as well be you. Even if they don't use you as the example every
>single time, chances are that your partner will be able to see, so he
>will be able to talk you through what's going on at the front or at
>least show you the steps after the teacher is done explaining. The
>instructor will also mill around the class from couple to couple, giving
>each person pointers. Also, in most social and ballroom dance
>situations, girls usually move around the circle to the right, so you'll
>get to dance with every guy in the class. So, if the partner you're with
>for one song has no idea what he's doing, let alone how to explain it to
>you, chances are the next guy will know what's up and be able to walk
>you through the move that's being taught.
>	Honestly, partnered dancing probably ranks right up there with
>spinning classes as being very blind friendly and very easy for a blind
>student to blend right into the class atmosphere.
>Good luck,
>Stacy
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org
>[mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ashley Bramlett
>Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2008 9:00 PM
>To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
>Subject: [Sportsandrec] dance lessons
>
>Hi all,
>
>Since new people have joined thought I'd ask this.  If you have taken
>dance, private or class, what accomodations did you have?  
>
>I want to take ballroom dance and once again my parents don't think its
>doable.  It would be in a class.  Private lessons are expensive!
>Anyway, they think I'll be lost because its taught visually.  I said the
>instructor would verbalize the steps.  My mom pointed out that likely
>won't be enough and I need hands on guidance and cannot get individual
>attention in a class.  The thing is that they may describe it but it may
>be brief and fast.  That is why we think it may not be enough.  I have
>trouble understanding lots of directions at once if its not slow.  So
>what do you all think?
>I think its worth trying but I cannot seem to convince my folks.  I am a
>young adult and don't work yet which is why they have influence on me.
>Its unfortunate that I am not encouraged to try.  Those of you on the
>list who were active as kids are the minority and you are so lucky.
>Parents generally think if you cannot see it you can't learn it.
>
>I think that's why partly many blind adults and kids are inactive.
>
>Happy holidays!
>
>Ashley H Bramlett
>Undergraduate Student
>Marymount University
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year