“I’m going to take class.” Chances are, if you’re a dancer or know anyone who is a dancer, you’ve heard or said this line before.
It’s almost a staple ingredient in the life of many dancers. That weekly grind, learning from your favourite choreographers, and losing yourself in the room (and most likely the mirror).
Yet, speaking objectively, many dancers I’ve come across have become unsympathetic towards the form of training. Without getting into the politics of class, how do we address this ongoing swing to and fro? (Before reading on, it’s important to think about the type of dancers that are out there and what they train for)
Pros
- Intensity
The body and mind can be very fragile. And those wanting to push past these limitations revel in the challenge of quick burst learning and replication. In the space of just over an hour, your stamina is tested; your coordination is tested; your muscle and mental memory are tested; your ability to replicate and heighten the choreography are tested. It’s truly an all-round workout. (Hands up if you get a headache after class from over thinking!)
In the dance industry, your body is your work (and weapon). Class can be the perfect type of maintenance it needs to stay sharp.
- Vibes!
I’m talking about that “yoooo!” when the song plays, that cheesy grin that stays with you for the whole class. Hip Hop is all about community. Its foundation is on being sociable. Getting together and getting down for the sake of getting down. Remember that? Dancing for the fun of it?
If it’s the professional life you’re pursuing, you should be focussed and push. But it’s also as important to just relax and have fun. Dance is contagious, and in class, you’ve all caught the bug!
- Time and money saving
Let’s face it. It’s hard not to live a frugal life if dance is your passion and not a hobby. That means you have one or several jobs to sustain your lifestyle. And even when it’s a hobby, that rings truer. You have a job and time is scarce.
Class is perfect to squeeze into any time of day without it taking it up. You get to spend an hour or two training, doing what you enjoy, meeting new people, all while not jeopardising the time you need to get ready for the next bills.
Because of the length (unless superstar choreographers are your constant choice) class tends to be on the inexpensive side of life. So worth it!
Cons
- Intensity
The body and mind can be very fragile. The quick burst style of learning can also be detrimental.
The nature vs nurture argument is perfect to observe. In the space of just over an hour, your stamina is tested, yet unless there’s a consistent level of pushing over a period of time, the benefits are non-existent. Your coordination is tested, but coordination takes time to refine and master. A quick combo does not necessarily nurture the work and outcome.
Your muscle and mental memory are tested. We’ve all learnt hundreds of combos yet memory serves to remember a couple at best. General retention can only improve when the same neurological pathways are used and repeated over time. And this may not be the case when taking an hour-long class here and there. How much can the body learn and truly use in that time?
- Vibes!
I’m talking about that spotlight everyone fights for, that middle spot where the camera will see you no matter where it goes, that “Imma kill this” expression that stays with you for the whole class.
Competition is rooted in Hip Hop. Pioneers battled all the time. But sometimes when a class is washed over with the air of elitism, it’s very hard to relax and have fun without either being scared of being judged or worrying you’re not as good as x or y.
This can undoubtedly be good motivation, when it is allowed to be. When a mentality of “if you’re not good enough, stand at the back” is adopted, the welcoming community ethos engrained in Hip Hop and street dance is sadly tarnished.
- Time and money saving
Class is perfect to squeeze into any time of day without it taking it up. You get to spend an hour or two training, doing what you enjoy, meeting new people, all while not jeopardising the time you need to get ready for the next bills.
How is this a con?
I answer that with another question: How much are you willing to invest in yourself?
The amount you put in is the amount returned.