[Sportsandrec] dance lessons

Wed Dec 24 01:09:13 UTC 2008

Prior to me becoming blind I danced with my eyes closed.

In a message dated 12/23/2008 6:57:13 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
bookwormahb at earthlink.net writes:

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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