Alone Practise??

[skipper]

As a pro-am dancer, my time with my teacher is limited. We do not live in the same city. What ideas do you use to practise?

[elisedance]

Other than practice by yourself I assume? 

Its a toughie - the best thing is to find a practice partner since it keeps you moving and trains your following skills - but I know thats a very hard thing to do.  You could also hire a partner - that way you canget a competent dancer for an evening.  There are lot of excellent amateurs that will do this.

[ttd]

I am in the same position. So I just practice by myself. I kinda compile a list of thing I need to practice. Some are just exercises (like body isolations). Some are specific technique bits we're working on. I also go through my part alone, to make sure I can do it and stay balanced (in particular, open position work in american smooth). Armstyling for smooth is another thing to practice. Also, I have a set of dvds with solo exercises, and I go through them periodically.

[dlgodud]

This is a tough subject for pro-am people. Practicing alone is not easy and most of time I get distracted. Instead of putting a real practice time, I try to improve one thing that I need to really improve. For example, I used to have a humped upper body position and had seriously heard 'shoulders down' from my teachers in every single class. But, not anymore. I have not heard this for a quite a while which is incredible for me. Also, I have a different posture that makes me look like a different person.
My next goal is how I can make myself taller, stretch my torso and stay like that. I feel it I am getting better and my teacher also mentioned that I get better. It makes my dance differently as well.
Once I am done with this project, I will try to improve my arm moves and hands.

[elisedance]

IMO a really good pro-am teacher will create opportunities for practice, free or at a low rate.  That is if they really care about the performance of the couple. 

[Some guy]

IMO a really good pro-am teacher will create opportunities for practice, free or at a low rate.  That is if they really care about the performance of the couple. 

I agree, but at what point does it become unethical to do so?  I'm only asking because in my experience when pros do that it's very hush-hush and the pro could lose a lot of students if they find out that one particular student is getting a better deal.  I am surrounded by pro-am dancers as am-am couples are the minority in my circle.  So they always talk about and wonder if so and so is getting a better deal and how unfair it is, etc.

[elisedance]

I don't know why you presume it has to be unethical or unfair - my pro used to go to a social evening once a week and dance in turn with all his students that turned up.  None of us complained....

[ttd]

That depends. When it is a somewhat long-distance relationship (face it, a 2-hour drive one way is not something people can do multiple times a week), you just don't get same opportunities as when you live in the same town.

[elisedance]

That depends. When it is a somewhat long-distance relationship (face it, a 2-hour drive one way is not something people can do multiple times a week), you just don't get same opportunities as when you live in the same town.

I see - thats another challenge...

[QPO]

well we have to discuss with our coach what we can do while I am off the floor, I need to be able to keep up my fitness. and matain some of our dancing technique