'The Pace of Progress: Balancing Patterns and Soft Skills'

Are you worried you’re falling behind, or is your community moving so fast that the "feel" is getting lost?

In this episode, Gui Prada and I tackle the core anxiety for every teacher and student: The Pacing of Dance. We explore why there is no perfect formula—only the right decision for your specific goals.

Patterns vs. Soft Skills

We break down the tension between vocabulary and quality:

• The "Move" Trap: You can learn a pattern in one night, but soft skills like torsion, weight transfer, and connection take months of "silent progress."

• Quality over Quantity: We discuss why a dancer who knows five moves with incredible touch is often more sought after than a dancer who knows fifty moves with high tension.

  
  

  Leading Your Community

• The Mirror Effect: Students get excited about what you value. If you want a community that loves basics, you have to show them how "yummy" the basics can be.

• The Overlord Concept: We explain why your "Overlord" (your specific community's needs) should dictate your syllabus. What works in a nerdy, technical scene won't work in a connection-focused retreat.

  
  

  Key Strategies:

• The Health Checkup: Why students should book privates to check their posture and balance, not just to learn "the next move."

• Silent Progress: Understanding the "aging" process of dance—you can't see it day-to-day, but over time, your body integrates wisdom that can't be rushed.

• Avoid the Labels: Why "Intermediate" means something different in every city and why you should focus on skills over titles.

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Are you prioritizing new moves or deeper connection this year?

Share your thoughts and join the conversation!