Can anyone give me some good ideas for getting out of a dancing rut? I've been taking two privates, and about 2 group lessons a week for a year. Mainly bronze material in about 10 different dances. Lately, I've been feeling kind of stagnant with my learning. I realize I've only scratched the surface in the big world of ballroom dancing, but I'm not sure what to move on to next. My instructor is recommending a solo routine with her. This might give me a chance to get a peek at some silver material, so it has a lot of appeal. I've also started doing Viennese waltz and bolero. They're very challenging, but I still feel like I could try something else to get out of this rut.

Any other ideas are much appreciated.

Thanks

Well, when people get into a rut in down-hill skiing (it's called "intermediate plateau") the standard approach is to go back to basics and work on basics so they are improved. In this way you re-educate your movements and remove faults and weaknesses which are blocking your progression.

Cha Cha Guy, I disagree with phil. Move on !! I would take up the offer from your instructor. In a new routine you are doing two things. Learning new stuff and at the same time you have to do the basics to accomplish new stuff. You sit still too long in class and one day you will get run over by your own shadow. Owendancer

The learning process is very important and varies between people whose duration for learning differs and who have different resources. If you are in a rut you may like to consider what it is that is stifling your learning and what you want to do?

To help you get started: set goals, discuss your learning style with others (ie. instructor, past teachers, other students), write down what resources you have and create a plan to reach your goals. This will help you get to get past the rut and on your way to greater enjoyment. We have all been in a rut situation with many things - my experience with dance has been: when I started to learn ballroom I wanted to complete the bronze medals for New Vogue (Australian), Latin and Modern in one year. The goal kept me going even when some of the medal classes felt like the learning was horribly slow. Following the medals I danced socially for quite a while useing my new skills and at the same time having a go at the new moves we were shown as a group. So like Phil.samways suggested I cemented and improved on my basics. When I finally decided to set some goals again and return to private lessons I was amazed how much more I understood what the instructor was saying. The instructor also taught me more complex moves as I was ready to learn these moves thanks to the good basics and general knowledge of the new moves. So think about an approach that is going to best suit you - set goals,plan and achieve!! And by the way Congratulations on already talking to others to seek information!! cheers Susan

Try competing! Even if you're not planning to get really involved in competing, having a comp to work toward gives a goal and focus to your dancing--and a real shot of adrenaline as the comp approaches and arrives! It also makes working on those basics feel worth it, because there's a pay-off to doing them well.