moxie, I take no pleasure in bursting anyone's bubble but dance studios - franchise or independent - tell ALL of their prospective students that they are naturals. They figured out eons ago that they won't get very far with frank appraisals of dancing ability.

That being said, I want to encourage you to pursue ballroom dancing to whatever extent you can comfortably afford. It's a wonderful activity with many physical and spiritual benefits.

Just keep your head about you and don't let studios inflate your ego. Remember, their primary purpose is to get as deeply into your wallet as possible.

Finally, if it turns out that you won't be able to afford to take dance lessons (your situation sounds a bit tight), there are other activities that are less expensive but still very good for you, such as tai chi.

Best wishes.

jj

As a pro. of many yrs, owning and managing both chains and indies, I resent the allegation .

Yes, there are operations in all businesses, that will "fleece " the public .
You want to use the proverbial brush to tar all .

And, NO, we dont ALL tell students how talented etc. they are ( ask some of mine !! )

Terence, my statement is based on years of experience and observation.

If you wish to take offense then do so. I stand by what I said.

jj

Back to Moxie's situation...dancing is a wonderful cure-all. It did wonders for me. Try to find some group classes, you will meet new people of all shapes and sizes and the classes are usually quite affordable. I have never danced at a chain studio so I won't comment on their business practices. At the independent studios I do attend, they have always been extremely accommodating if you tell them up front what you can afford. Don't be afraid to tell them what you just told us.

Mine is based on 60 yrs (Prof. )... all over the world .

You have been unfortunate in your choices... it still does NOT mean that all are in the same mold .

OK, Terence, please answer this question.

When was the last time you gave a student, prospective or otherwise, a frank but essentially negative appraisal of his or her dancing ability?

jj

YESTERDAY !!

I have NEVER knowingly told a student anything that would be beyond their own beliefs, let alone mine.

If one critiques in a correct manner, then that should never be a problem .. even in my class work i assess as is necessary .

have I lost students because of this approach ? probably ... do I care ?.. NO .

English pros are not " raised " in the same manner of instruction ... praise when duly earned.. yes.. gratuitous ,,never .

I have never found anyone whom I have taught ( even Pro. Championship couples ) that would expect anything less from me than the truth.. I have never seen the point !!

Inexperienced students believe what their instructors tell them, so virtually nothing is "beyond their beliefs." They lack the judgment to discern otherwise.

I must take issue with your implication that US trained instructors may be somewhat less - shall we say "forthcoming" - than "English pros." The behavior of professionals is determined more by the market in which they compete than by the source of their training. I have had good and bad experiences with both.

But this entire argument is getting away from the point of this thread. moxie obviously needs an activity which will give her both some exercise and some relief from stress. Ballroom dancing is an excellent choice UNLESS she gets into the clutches of an unscrupulous studio (and notice that I said "studio" in my original response and not "instructor"). With all that she has going on in her life, the stress of a poor choice of studio could be very painful and even damaging to her, hence the severity of my warning.

jj

I've never had an dance instructor - franchise or independent - tell me that I'm a "natural" or otherwise "puff up" my abilities.

JJ, I feel sorry for you, but you must accept the fact that we've not all had the same negative experience that you've had. You obviously carry a lot of anger. Does it occur to you that you might be insulting Moxie's intelligence in addition to insulting every professional instructor with integrity? (Yes, they are out there!) Moxie, work it out! Dancing CAN change your life for the better! Get in touch with Terence.