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Welcome back to the Science of Slink Podcast, pole dancer! This week we are talking about learning for mastery, which is a teaching method focused on moving on a more fluid and self-guided path towards goals that we set for ourselves rather than a more regimented system with goals set for us to achieve in a certain order. The learning for mastery method is one that I use at my studio for my students, if you’d like to join a class for a hands-on approach check out my website linked below! 

Learning dance in a mastery-focused way looks like a buffet rather than a menu. In this model, there is a choice between several things to learn daily, a “buffet” for learning rather than a main dish you are served. This allows dancers to have autonomy and empowerment in their learning journey while not feeling they are regressing at any point, rather, listening to and respecting their needs. An example of this is when you walk into dance class there will be 3 moves to choose from that day to learn and you can choose which one to work toward mastery on that day. In a more regimented class, there will be levels and you will move up the levels and do the according moves. 

So Is learning for mastery better? It depends! But big competition focus is associated with some not-so-great things, like less body appreciation. This method is best for freestyle methods of pole dance and enjoyment. If you are looking for competition pole, the more regimented class system may be more beneficial. 

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Join pole instructor & personal trainer Rosy Boa as she chats with experts about the evidence-based practices you can introduce to your pole journey to improve your pole journey and feel better. The Evidence-Based Pole Podcast aims to help pole dancers feel better on and off the pole by talking with experts and diving into relevant scientific research to find evidence-based insights we can apply to our pole journeys. It’s a production of Slink Through Strength, the inclusive, evidence-based online pole studio, found online at slinkthroughstrength.com.

Edited by: Simone Rossette 

[email protected]

Mastery learning model: 

Bloom, Benjamin S. (March 1968). "Learning for Mastery" (PDF). UCLA - CSEIP - Evaluation Comment. Vol. 1.

Discussion of mastery in dance: 

Andrzejewski, C. E., Wilson, A. M., & Henry, D. J. (2013). Considering motivation, goals, and mastery orientation in dance technique. Research in Dance Education, 14(2), 162-175.

Honors thesis on dance competitions & mental well-being (" However, CCSW

had a significant negative relationship with body appreciation and a significant positive

relationship with ED risk and perfectionism.")

Cary, G. (2023). Dancing like Everyone’s Watching: The Impact of Competition-Contingent Self-Worth and Belonging on Dancers’ Mental Well-Being (Doctoral dissertation).