I've been thinking about dance goals for 2011 and the practical question of how I'm going to achieve them.
I have three marvelous advantages as I go forward: practice space (I can use the studio at the ballet school in the mornings, when it's empty), time (now that I'm retired), and videos. The amount of material on YouTube is astounding.
Problems include only two formal lessons per week and my knees, which I'm going to rest this weekend because my right knee is protesting all the stress I've been putting it through. I know from experience that it will get better if I take care of it.
The biggest problem is feeling overwhelmed. The YouTube material (and my own videos) is indeed astounding--but there's so much of it that I sometimes feel hopeless about even getting started.
So I need a plan. Here goes:
I want to relearn the Boot Scootin' Boogie in time for the Senior Games on March 5. No problem: watch the video every day.
I want to develop a set of freestyle steps in time for the Senior Games. Not so easy. Plan: This week, listen to a different song every day and practice responding to the beat.
I want to learn how to do a good Viennese waltz this year. No problem: Mary and I are already on it. Plan: Practice left and right turns at the ballet school every day.
I want to improve my fox trot this year. Plan: Watch 10 minutes of one of my championship videos every day.
I want to put more improv into my Latin dancing. Plan: Watch 5 minutes of any videos every day. Mix them up. Just start getting a feeling for where I want to go with it. I can make a new plan later.
Sounds like a plan!
