Branch out and reach far: Benefits of taking classes in unfamiliar styles

I was a hundred-plus miles away from home, in the city of my old stomping grounds – having traveled mainly for the purpose of taking dance classes with a dance company of good friends and great artists. The two classes were in Giordano Jazz and then Duncan Technique: both forms I’m not intimately familiar with (I’ve been a jazzerina but never taken Giordano specifically, and it’s been years since I’ve taken Duncan – and it wasn’t a long or in-depth period of study when I did take it).

The result? I learned a whole lot, took steps towards being a stronger and more well-rounded artist, and simply had a blast dancing. It led me to reflect on the benefits of taking classes outside of one’s comfort zone, specifically in styles that one is less (or even not at all) familiar with.

Outside of the comfort zone, still within the slightly larger zone of safety (mental, emotional, physical), there’s a space with lush fruits. We have to show up there to pick those fruits, however – and showing up can be half (or more) of the battle, as they say. Let’s take a closer look at those treasures, the benefits of taking classes in unfamiliar styles.

1. Challenging your body and brain to push both to grow

Taking a class in a style or technique that you’re not accustomed to can certainly be humbling; your brain has to wrap itself around new terminology, and your body to figure out new shapes and movement pathways. You might feel in over your head. That’s both natural and understandable.

On the other hand, you might also notice moments of greater ease and command over the style – when you’re really in it. Considering the overall level of challenge at hand for you, that can feel amazing!

Something else wonderful has also happened – you have risen to that challenge. That signals growth: as a technician and as a dance artist. You’ve expanded your abilities and experience as a dancer – and become a more versatile artist as a result. And that’s in your body and brain, both parts of you that are part of your artistry, of course!

1. Learning anew to expand your creative horizons

New experiences can bring wonderful creative inspiration; by and large, what we’re more steeped in – day-in and day-out – doesn’t strike us in the same way. On a more technical, and even practical, level, new techniques and styles can offer new perspectives that can expand the way we think about and execute our craft.

For example, we might not be a ballroom dancer, but from a ballroom class we could learn something about footwork that we can beneficially bring to our footwork in other forms. Maybe we find out something about our hip articulation that we can bring to our jazz dance!

In a broader sense, maybe the teacher imparts a pearl of wisdom about performance quality that leads to a shift in our overall artistry – or an idea that becomes the seed of a new project or work. With even one of those things taken away from a class, not bad for just a one-hour (and change, maybe) commitment!

1. Making new connections…and maybe even friends!

Most often, taking a class in a style new to you means meeting new people – dance people, so even if their main stylistic focus might be separate from yours, they’re kindred spirits at least in that sense! These sorts of connections can make a gigantic difference in our artistic lives. Not all artists or projects run through auditions, and – beyond that – the people around us can guide and inspire what we create.

Even making new dance friends can mean a whole lot. We work and create in community, and it’s a whole lot more enjoyable with good people who we enjoy. Additionally, the creative life can be a lot sometimes. Social support, from people who get it – who’ve been there, done that – can help us get through it all more easily. We can at least know that we’re not alone. Going into new spaces and new experiences can feel awkward, even scary, but we never know who we might meet and what they might mean to us.

Taking the leap: The how and what

You might be thinking okay, makes sense, but I have questions. How do I find these classes in styles that are new to me? How do I decide which ones to take? How do I know what I should know, to not stick out like a total sore thumb? I hear you on all of that!

For finding classes, local dance community groups and outlets – including local dance collective resources (websites, listservs, et cetera) and social media groups – can be helpful. Even browsing the full schedules of local studios could be useful.

How do you know which classes to take? One consideration is something that might strengthen a growing area of yours. For instance, need to work on your musicality, and haven’t tried tap? Now’s as good a time as any, and it could truly help you to work on that growth area of yours!

Another consideration is what you’re drawn to – which might signal that you’ll be more invested and simply enjoy it more. Whether you feel that interest peaked from watching something on TikTok or hearing a friend talk about a style that they’ve tried, it’s something that could be quite fruitful to follow.

How to fit into the group in some sort of way, you might still be wondering? If you know anyone who takes this style, ask them if there’s anything they think you should know before you take your first class. Check out any information that might be available on the studio website.

If there’s anything that you really think you should know and you can’t find an answer, you can call the studio and – if possible – contact the teacher directly through social media (though not everyone responds to people they don’t know through that medium, just to keep in mind).

In terms of class etiquette, just like might be intuitive to us from taking classes in styles that we do know well, observe what everyone else is doing and follow suit. You can also try going in the middle of the room, if possible, or otherwise some way where there are other dancers you can watch regardless of where you’re positioned through choreography or other class content (helpful for picking up choreography and vocabulary that might be less familiar to you, as well!).

So, all of that said, are you ready to take the plunge into a style that you’re less accustomed to? Yes, it might feel unpredictable – and even scary. Yet once you break through that wall of stepping into the unknown, you never know what treasures you might encounter (the above is certainly not an exhaustive list!). Are you ready to go digging? I’m rooting for you!

As always, I share all of the above with all possible non-judgment and loving-kindness. I’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, et cetera, if you’d like to share: reach out to me via social media or email (mindfulmovers5678@gmail.com). In whatever style you do it, happy dancing always!