Let’s Talk Grammar

For a moment, imagine what the English language would sound like if you didn’t have any connector words or phrases at your disposal.  Just try to speak normally, but don’t use ANY of the following:  And, Or, But, However, Therefore, With, As, Then, After, Before, If, Because, So.  Pretty quickly, you’d start sounding like your 1st grade reading primer:  See Spot run.  Dick rides a bike.  Jane hits the ball.  This staccato quality is not what we look for in the written or spoken word.  It doesn’t flow together, it’s sharp, abrupt and rough on the ear.  The same principle applies in dance. 

Students are always so excited to learn a new spin/climb/inversion.  Inevitably, I’ll look over and see all of them doing said new move over and over and over again until they’re dizzy, exhausted or both.  Once they feel that they can repeatedly perform that new move correctly, then tend to catch my eye with an expression that says, “We took that move DOWN!  We made it our b****!  Can we learn something else now?”   And then I ask the dreaded question, “Can you use it while dancing?”  Their faces fall, lower lips protrude and it’s like I’ve rained on their parade. 

Just having the strength and flexibility to complete a pole trick is an amazing accomplishment and something to be truly proud of on its own merit.  However, being able to get into and out of that trick in a fluid manner – making it appear effortless and seamless – is a skill that’s even harder to develop.  Transitional work is the best way to turn a good dancer into an exceptional one, just like taking the written word from “Dick and Jane” to Hemingway.