Monday, April 14, 2008

What Not to Say

Yesterday I helped Richard teach another tango class at the community centre. Most of the women taking the class know absolutely nothing about dancing. They are eager and keen learners. One lady commented that she likes our teaching. She said that Richard tells them how to do a move, and I tell them why to move a certain way. As I explained how ochos work and about disassociation, she eagerly tried to put into practice the concept.

Another woman had a hard time understanding how to pivot on the ocho. She would step behind herself before turning, twisting herself into funny shapes. But she tried to understand why it wasn't working and would stop me over and over again for help, a look of pleasure on her face each time she got it right.

Then there was the "I can't". OMG, these are two words that should never be spoken by an adult. Like most follows, she stepped diagonally after the pivot, so I tried to work with her so she would step straight after the pivot. And her response: "I can't." She claimed that pivoting put too much pressure on her hips so she couldn't do what I asked. Except for one small point--she was already doing the pivot.

Here's my question, if you don't want to learn, why are you taking lessons? Why not just stay at home, or do something else. If you say to say to a teacher "I can't", there is no longer any room for teaching. It is unfortunate when we close ourselves off from learning. Learning is part of growth.

After my last post, I realized that still I wasn't embracing change and growth the way I normally would. It has been a long road back from the brink, but like Muza commented: "From now on you should be able to weather all changes that will come in your life." And she's right. A willingness to embrace change gives us the strength we need to weather them.