How can I be more comfortable with this dance move?

Question

I take ballroom dance lessons and I am rather good at it. I have been dancing for about 3 years now and I really love it. I have long legs, a skinny frame, so I am made for it.

Anyway, recently I have started a group formation class. For those who don't know what that is, it is when a group of people do the same steps while wearing the same clothes (usually black, plain, makes everything look really cool).

Anyway, at my last lesson, my dancemates were sick or on vacation, so I was the only one there. Me and my instructer got pretty far, and at one point I needed to do this step where I stick my but out and rotates it in a circle.

I am honestly not comfortable with this step. I have a competition coming up for this formation group and so all the girls will be doing this step, but I am embarressed about it.

How can I not be embarressed? I felt so strange while my mom watched (she always does) and my instructor showed me how far to stick it out.

And I don't want to ask my instructor to change it, because I know this might happen with a different step so I really need to know how to relax about it and not freak out.

Answer 1

If you are not comfortable with the step for aestetic or emotional reasons i.e. you hate the step even if it is done by really cool dancers - you either have to deal with it, or ask instructor to replace the step (yes, for th whole group) or not dance this formation. These are the only choices you got.

If you are not comfortable with it because you think you are not making it look pretty - then it might help to ask your instructor to explain you exactly how to produce the right action. If you like how other people do it but you don't like how you do it you"ll just need to learn how.

Every butt wiggle is produced in your knees. Don't wiggle your butt on purpose, let it come from the knees, maybe then it will look good.

******
Well, Latin IS about butts and lookig sexy, nothing you can do. There is a difference in looking sexy and looking vulgar. The difference is technique. Meaning - you will have to put up with it till you learn to do it well. Trust me, you can make the same step you describe look vulgar and dirty and kind of gross or you can make it look very sexy in a teasing but not in a too suggestive way. I'm a bit challenged explaining it here because I don't know exactly what the step look like, but let me at least try. If you stick your butt and just stand there for half a measure then yes it looks stupid/dirty. If you just hit the accent (perhaps on "1") and then continue with the next action then it looks cool and teasing. You need to make sure your movement doesn't die at any moment, or else this is exacly when it looks dirty in a very dumb way. Hit the "1" and then immediately "dissolve" it with wiggles, or whatever you guys do there, but don't ever stand there like that. Also, like I said, I can't quite imagine the step you are dancing, but make sure your thighs are sqeezeed together. Nothing looks worse that a "butt bump" with the observeable gap between your thighs due to poor turnout. Keep good turnout at all times - that will help to make it look better. I dunno, I hope I helped. At least, I tried.

LOL, hopefully, your teacher has a good taste and when she/he sees that it looks bad she/he will change it.

Answer 2

Watch yourself in a mirror when you're alone. You'll get used to seeing it (as you will no doubt be seeing other people do it if you're in a group) and you'll be able to get used to it. By watching yourself do this dance, it won't seem strange or weird or embarrassing, as it will become 'normal' to you, in a sense. Grab a full-length mirror and go to your room and practice the whole dance, including that step you're uncomfortable with, and try to get used to it.
:)

Answer 3

I think you just have to simply look it as art when you are dancing professionally alot of things arev not comfortable just try act as if your home in your own mirror.

Answer 4

keep practicing the step. try looking at other people that can do it well. if you know how to do it well, you should become comfortable doing it. remember, practice makes perfect, so keep trying.

Answer 5

juss think shake what ya mama gave ya and even betta if u got a nice but so yeahhh juss have fun wit it

Answer 6

tape urself doin this then watch it ovr and ovr.....then if u still feel embarrassed then show it to some close friends.....then talk to them about it.....much luck 2 ya!