Dealing with Invisibility

I’ve been in situations where I have been in class and felt no matter how hard I tried to be seen I just wasn't. Whether this is for corrections, encouragement or if I’m answering a question. Nothings more frustrating or deflating over a prolonged period of time. Its not going that we need constant reassurance but it is just as important as critique to know what we are doing well to not loose it while working on improving ourselves. What's worse is being in a class, a teacher not remembering your name or that you are missing. We want people to know who we are- we have to make contacts right? But think if you are not fitted, you wouldn't want to work with each other and you will be surrounded by those that see your talent and not your imperfections.

I am creating a list of suggestions of things to and things not to do to improve this situation and keep you pushing through. I DON'T WANT YOU TO STOP DANCING OR GIVE UP.

Do's

1. Keep trying, don’t let it stop you being there no matter how hard. You are still learning

2. Push yourself. If you feel you’re not getting feedback give yourself some or an idea to work on in class that day.

3. Record a class, routine or exercise. You may think you are doing one thin b be doing something else. A teacher may be giving you the same correction and now stop as you haven’t embodied it- by doing this you will see what they see.

4. If it gets to a point of really affecting you, talk to e teacher and either ask how you have been progressing, if there is anything you really need to work on or ask if you can be pushed more. Be open and honest but never disrespectful.

5. Really listen to what’s being said.

Don’ts

1. Come into class with a negative energy as it will not help and won’t make people want to come to you

2. Insult or put full blame on the teacher- we all have contributed something to the situation

3. Overreact. If you have had one or two ‘down classes' know the difference between an off day and a situation that you need to ‘fix’.

4. Be disrespectful to anyone in the class. This means turn up on time, don’t talk when someone else is, don’t judge others or make them uncomfortable.

5. Give up

My Experience

For those who have been keeping updated with my weekly Malta blogs you may have read me feeling this in both my ballet and Cunningham. I am starting to build a better bond with one of my ballet teachers and am her comfortable with the other. Its important to remember that sometimes ITS NOT ALWAYS YOUR FAULT. Some teachers may be biased to certain people they prefer personally or already have what they aim to teach making their job easier. It could be a range of unrelated causes to you.

BUT, there could be some things you are not doing to help the situation.

- If you do not know the material, you could be seen as undedicated and as a result not outing in enough effort for a teacher to return

- If your attendance or attention in class is low, you are not showing your professional and personal self for them to work with

- Asking too little or too many questions. If you don’t participate you may be overlooked especially in large groups or too many irrelevant questions for the sake of it is not helping. Ask when you need clarity or understanding, or if it could benefit a class

- If you are always bringing in a negative environment or carrying that view around outside class. Once you’re in a cycle it is hard to be positive in a place you are not as happy in. If you can stop the cycle before it happens by writing down encouragement for yourself of being brave and saying your struggling. If you are in a cycle, it may be time to speak to your teacher privately and express in a calm manner how you are feeling in a constructive way to show you want to better yourself.

How to be present in class

When people say ‘be present' it can be hard to know what that really means. Class is a place to not be perfect. You find your strengths and you’re weaknesses are highlighted to be worked and nourished. Being present is as much how you look as what’s going km in the inside.

Be dressed accordingly. If you are in ballet (even if you’re not in a leotard) be in tight fitted clothing to see your lines. Hip hop- show your style.

When someone is speaking actually listen. You can tell when its faked as the eyes glass over and the corrections aren’t in the body. By listening, you pay attention to words and touch given to you AND others as it may have relevance, be forgotten by you or is the next layer to improve the technical quality.

When given a correction (or anyone else for the matter) try it out then and there. Get it into your body ASAP so there is a higher chance of remembering it AND the teacher can see you are actively taking part in class and wanting to get better.

Don’t lose hope as it always gets better. Make sure you are finding the right school to start with and work with their style of teaching. The environment is tailored to specific needs. Once at the place of studying, keep trying. Try these tips. Believe it will be better. Remind yourself why you are doing this. It can be personal and it can be as simple as ‘i love it and want to get better’. Do it for your career, for the photoshoots for the performances. Become what you want to and to do that work smart and do t let anything dull your sparkle.