Appreciating the collective community in Dance

The collective power of the dance industry

This week, I joined IADMS and Safe in Dance practice 'Safe Dance Practice: In Quarantine'. I want to start by applauding educators at this time. I tweeted how proud I felt to be part of a nation of dancers and educators, who have always put the art of movement and learning at the forefront of their values. 

The panel's speakers offered useful and research informed information that would help dance educators keep practice alive during uncertain times. It was reassuring and inspiring to see educators with student well being at the forefront of the discussion, with the focus not for students to feel pressured to keep dancing, but to understand how we are all dealing with lockdown differently. This should be appreciated and supported in unsettling times. 

Sonia Rafferty, safe in dance practice leader, discussed the importance of keeping dancers safe when moving at home with, "a safe teacher is a good teacher". I resonated with this, because it is so true, our bodies are our temples and should be worshipped and treated with respect. 

I started to think about how I could get my dancers to understand the importance of safe practice, as the panel discussed of risk assessing the space. How this responsibility has become shifted from the teacher to students, and depending on the type of teaching, for example a live class or pre recorded, how could we assess the nature of our class and how it would be utilised by students. That we couldn't possibly assess the space unless we can see the students, this poses difficulty with safety.

I havent been recording myself moving or providing live classes, but offering resources and other classes available from professional companies and organisations. I started to think whether I should be providing live classes or pre recorded material, it made me feel guilty. However the panel reassured us that although it may seem we are not bothering, in fact we believe the resources and classes we are recommending are the most suitable and safe ways of educating students, as discussed by Sonia Rafferty. 

I have decided I can offer some advice to students, so I will be creating videos of safe warm up and cool down to educate students, along with risk assessing the space, and how students and parents can ensure the space is safe. If anything, educating students with knowledge that will help avoid injury, will help them to become more knowledgeable, safer and self sufficent dancers.