If you have ever used the phrase “I have two left feet” or “I can only dance after a few drinks”, this is for you.
Our bodies are designed to dance- babies for example. They cannot talk or walk but put on a song and watch them naturally start grooving to the music with a jiggle and a wobble.
As a species, we have a natural connection to music and movement but if you feel you have lost that connection, ask yourself why. Maybe there was a traumatic event in childhood, lack of exposure or years of being told you can’t or shouldn’t dance. Somewhere along your childhood/adolescent years, you created a definition of dance and determined whether you can or cannot dance.
I came across this definition of dance from Britannica.
“dance, the movement of the body in a rhythmic way, usually to music and within a given space...
your current understanding of dance may stop here but pay extra attention to the rest of the definition…
...for the purpose of expressing an idea or emotion, releasing energy, or simply taking delight in the movement itself.”
Dance as a form of expression, releasing emotions/built up energy or just enjoying being present with your body and moving in ways that feel good. Read that again and let it sit with you. Regardless of what you have told yourself over the years, you can experience this freedom with movement.
If you are someone who cannot dance without a few drinks, why do you think that is? You do not suddenly acquire the skills to dance when you drink, alcohol lowers your inhibitions. Self-consciousness or other psychological/social impairments are also lowered. I can help you dance without the alcohol.
3 things to consider before starting 1:1 sessions with me…
Find music you connect with, music that makes you want to move.
Start looking into dance styles that you find intriguing or would like to further explore.
Ask yourself, what are my dance/movement goals?
If you find this list to be overwhelming, you can also just tell me you want to learn how to dance and we can figure it out together!
It is important to understand that the space in which dancing is happening can affect your desire to move. Dance can feel very vulnerable and if you are in an environment where you do not feel safe or comfortable then it is likely that you won’t want to dance but having the option when it feels right is a beautiful freedom.
What past and current clients have to say…
“Clara is an incredibly gifted teacher! I began working with her individually with the goal of just getting a little more comfortable moving my body to music when I was alone. I never imagined how transformative the experience would be, and I would not have believed that two months after starting to work with Clara I would dance with confidence and joy all night long at my daughter's wedding! My partner (even less inclined to dance than me!) was so impressed with what he saw happening for me that he wanted come and learn with Clara too. We've been together for 32 years and never been comfortable dancing together, even when no one was watching. But that is changing for us and we are having so much fun! I can't recommend Clara highly enough. She creates such a safe environment to experiment, learn, and grow. Honestly, she's changed my life in such beautiful ways.”
-Jennifer
“Clara is an incredibly caring and attentive professional who knows how to run a business with care and compassion. She has repeatedly gone out of her way to make things work if any barriers to accessing her services come up. She is creative, approachable, and talented, and is a great person to see if you have never moved/danced in your life, or if you are more experienced.”
-Tannis
“Clara is a gift. I was completely new to dance, I always had a love for it, but never pursued it. As an individual with anxiety, I wanted it, but was all kinds of nervous about doing it, to say the least. By the end of the first lesson, I was hooked. I am immensely grateful that she helped me explore my love of dance, and I am so glad that I was able to start out with her as my teacher. She is the best individual to learn from because she is patient, kind, and she herself dances with so much passion, and elegance. She taught me to love every way I danced because there isn't a wrong way to dance. As long as you feel it, it's real. Clara is a gift, anyone considering or nervous to experience dance, I wholeheartedly encourage you to ask for Clara because she is everything you could hope for when you're just starting out.”
-Dillon
Click here for more info on my 1:1 Dance Sessions. Reach me through the contact page if you have any questions and/or would like to get dancing.