Interesting question! I am certain almost every intermediate student has run up against this feeling at some point.

For me, I just adore the nuances of movement, and in Tribal Group Improv the interplay between the dancers that is different with every person and with every concept. I guess the simple answer is that even when I "know" a move, there is still so much *more* to know about it that there is always something new to be had, even in a basic move.

But part of that is the teacher. I love going to FC studios, for instance, because I get to ask detailed questions about the nuances of the movement, and I know I will get a clear and articulate answer which will bring me to a new level in what I am learning. Not all teachers/studios offer that depth of knowledge and ability to disseminate it on the spot for students who demand more granularity.

And part of it is the class environment. I don't care how great the information is if the classroom doesn't feel like a welcome place to be--someplace I *want* to be each and every night. ANd that has to do with the teacher and the fellow students creating that together.

That's my initial reaction to your question!

I've only been learning ATS for a year - so I am by no means one of the more advanced students - but this week I went to a week 1, level 1 class and was blown away by how physically and mentally challenging it was to go back and really drill just a few basic moves. It enabled me to think of a couple of things in a different way and I really appreciated the time to think through the fundamentals of my posture and how I approach the dance. I think going back to basics regularly will make me a better dancer .

I can see what you're talking about - moving into the advanced, unformatted classes means a focus on unity and performance, less on a new step or combo. I agree with Shay that "there is always more to learn" in every case, especially in this dance because the steps are so detailed and complex, but I think what you are talking about is the phenomenon of moving out of the leveled basics classes, where the teacher determines your goals via the curriculum, into the netherworld of "what am I doing this for, anyway" and the need to create your own goals for the dance. It doesn't matter what your goal is: to perform to the public, to perform in your living room, or to dance with friends - but not seeing what it is can dim motivation. When this happens, and believe me, it happens frequently, I take a break from the upper levels and hang out L1/L2 for a while. It reintroduces the basics to me and allows me mental space to think about the dance and what questions I have about it or what I'd like to pursue in it. Then, when I return to the higher class, I have a clearer focus. I also think that it's necessary to be doing the dance outside of class so that you run into situations that necessitate bringing up q's in class - that helps to add fodder for exploration in that upper level class. Try getting together with a couple of people outside of class and just playing around with the steps on your own - it gives a fresher perspective and when you return to the advanced class, you have an experience to share and ask questions about.

For me, its kind of like going to yoga classes for a long time. You do the same poses and hear the same words, but you're always able to get better at the poses each time through that verbal guidance. Thats what happens with constant practice too. I find that I'm not always successful doing yoga at home on my own because I don't have the guidance and the energy of the other students around me to push me to do it correctly or motivate me to keep the pose for longer.

With ATS, I would always go into a class to not only understand what the teacher is saying, but to get into my body more and try to work on my problem areas. You will have to challenge yourself, if the instructor does not give other alternatives. (Altho, it doesn't hurt to ask if there's something you can work on for your level during drills.) The idea is to become the best mimick possible so when you're dancing with, say, the teacher, you do the exact same thing they do. Plus, when it comes around to the time to get into groups, the intermediate/advanced dancers are there to be leaders - kind, thoughtful, gentle leaders. ;} The beginning levels look to you for guidance as well - they feel more comfortable when someone more advanced is nearby, so they can follow you. And it gets them excited about working harder to get better so they can dance with you at your level.

This is not personal criticism - it happens with every person that starts taking ATS classes. We come in wanting to learn dance for ourselves, for our own reasons. Could be for technique, fitness, performance opportunities, whatever. But that idea has to change after moving to the upper levels. Its all about being in the group, not an individual. Once you switch to thinking about participating in the class as one unit, you will find out what the world of ATS is about.

*;}

putting her fists together and motioning them in counterclockwise circles "Go Sandi Go Sandi" You rock! So spot on.

Hi Alex. I've just read your question and haven't read the replies yet so sorry if I'm being repetetive.

I teach more than I take class, and I have the same problem in my classes -- many skill levels in one group. I try to vary the groupings, sometimes asking the more advanced students to mix in with the newer ones, to take a leadership role, other times grouping the more advanced ones together so that they can play hard. I also have my most advanced students step in and guide a warm up or teach a move now and then. Teaching is the BEST way to find out what you don't know and where you need to improve.

When I take class, I have never become bored with taking a basic level class because there is always something I can work on as a dancer, whether it's my posture, technique or balance. And then, as a teacher, I'm always learning more about how I can teach, even if it's by seeing examples of what I would NOT do if I were teaching. But then, I'm not in your situation of going to class week after week and dancing with less skilled dancers.

I believe that martial arts classes are often structured this way -- a big mix of levels in one class. I wonder how they handle it.

If there's a move I feel I know cold, I take the time to fine-tune it, with a bit of my brain stitching together which moves could come into it, which moves could follow.

Until very recently I had been in the same class for 3 years. It did get oh-so-boring. Students didn't often stay around for more than a couple of months. I really felt like class after class of beginners were holding me back. I remember saying to my husband, "If I have to do another 20 minutes of Egyptian Basic I swear I'm going to quit."

After a while (and lots and lots and lots of Egyptian Basics) I realized that I knew the moves and I could now focus on picking them apart and making sure that every time I did a move my hands, arms & posture were perfect, or as perfect as I could get them. I just thought of each move as a lot of layers. After a while that got a bit boring too and I set myself up to mimic, as Sandi said. I would follow my teacher and make a private game out of guessing her next move. I worked it up to the point that I could tell where she was going before even she knew. It was fun and it helped me learn to really follow. (Which, in my opinion is one of the last things ATS dancers get really accomplished at doing. It seems we work so hard to learn moves and then we work to learn to lead well. Then, at some point it clicks, "oh, I actually have to watch and anticipate. . ." )

Follow well and you look great dancing together! And that was enough to keep me motivated and keep me dancing.

Now 3 and 1/2 years into it, I actually have a group to dance with. It is a group that I am responsible for. There are 4 of us and we can practice without having to drill basics for half the class (though from time to time we DO go back and drill Basic Egyptian for 20 minutes). But we still have to work to keep motivated. Sometimes we REALLY focus on the music. As in: what move might go with this phrase? And we practice transitioning when the music transitions. And we practicing really nailing the endings. Sometimes we dance for a while and then we choose a move that no one has cued thus far. We use that move for the rest of the night. What can you do with this move? Can you turn it? Is everyone in sync for the turn? Do our arms match? What is easy to transition into? What transitions don't work? Can we make them work?

We just play and playing keeps it fun!
But, really, you're bellydancing!! How bad can it be?