When I talk to people about dance, they are usually interested and positive. However, there can sometimes be some apprehension and fear.
Responses emerge…
“I could never do a dance class, I’ve got two left feet!”
“I’d be so embarrassed!”
“I just couldn’t do it with people looking at me!”
Many barriers can stop people joining in with dance/movement workshops. For example, access issues (dance classes might be held in community spaces without accessible entrances), low confidence, financial barriers, poor prior experience and not feeling safe or included. Individuals might be afraid of judgement or being singled out and triggering prior experiences can limit people from attending.
We believe that every person can contribute to a session even if they choose stillness or the role of spectator, until they feel comfortable enough to join in. Taking part in a dance class can have enormous benefits, increasing our strength, wellbeing and our self esteem! In 2011, a study found increased self esteem in students that took part in dance, compared to their peers who didn’t. And in 2022, a study suggested that the self esteem of participants with Parkinson’s disease rose when they took part in weekly dance classes.
So, how do we create a dance environment that allows those who face barriers to participate in a way which raises their confidence? Here’s a few things we do at Curious Motion:
Create a welcoming, safe and warm environment.
It’s important that the people in the room feel that they are wanted and valued. We believe that absolutely everyone stepping into a studio space deserves to feel a sense of belonging. Our sessions are ‘pay as you feel’ and we use buildings with accessible entrances.
Focus on the process over the finished product.
We focus on making dance through creative tasks and improvisation. By focussing on how it feels to move rather than what we look like, we can feel grounded in the present moment and be a little kinder to ourselves. You’ll notice that we don’t ask participants to look at themselves in mirrors throughout our classes, instead we offer the building blocks and anatomical technique for participants to self assess and feel into their bodies.
Lead with accessible starting points.
We are all moving around each day, just in different ways. We see power in pedestrian movements and build on this. Often our classes start with grounding and gentle breathwork and walking around the space. This can help us to build that positive relationship with ‘dance’ and our bodies, reflecting on the reality that dance can be any movement or stillness.
Collaborate.
Your voices are important. We strive to remove all hierarchy from our workshops and classes encouraging feedback and creative input at each stage of the process. If participants feel that they can give feedback to a facilitator, share ideas, and help co-create the community in the dance session, this will help build a sense of belonging.
In our highly pressured world with the cost of living crisis, digital divides and pressures from social media, it’s understandable to feel that joining a dance session might seem like a daunting prospect. But with the right support and compassion, you can reap incredible benefits from the joy of movement, help to raise your self esteem and connect with your local community. We believe dance is a wonderful form of expression that can help us connect to ourselves and others.
If you would like to try a class or workshop in 2025, please view our website or send an enquiry to hello@curiousmotion.org.uk.
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