This was not an ordinary dance trip however. I was offered an exciting chance to assist Zouk workshops there with my Zouk teacher and, of course, this was something that I couldn't say no to. I’m so happy that I was given this chance to have this kind of experience and see what it is like to be in a workshop weekend not as a participant, as I have been many times, but as a teacher.
When I was offered this chance, I first couldn't believe that it was me who he was asking this. This kind of chance was not something that would happen often – actually I don't know if students have ever been assisting F&A in their classes. Secondly, since there are many good Zouk students in Helsinki, I would have thought that this chance would have been given to someone else of them: I feel like I haven't really been going anywhere but backwards with my Zouk lately. So, you can imagine my surprised and super excited expression when I got the message!
The second thought after the overwhelming excitement was that would I be ready for this? Am I going to perform so good that I won’t be a disappointment to anyone? Am I just good enough yet? What if I’m going to be a total mess? You know, it is not an easy task to replace a professional dance teacher! Well, surely these kind of thoughts are not going to help anyone to perform confidently nor to enjoy the moment when it comes. So, to get rid of these annoying thoughts I said to myself, every day before the weekend, that I can do it and I will do it as well as I can. In the end, I wouldn’t have been asked to go there if I didn’t have the needed potential. When the actual weekend came, the thoughts were not there anymore. One good thing that F pointed out to me before our classes was that he wants me to be myself and dance my own way. If I try to be someone else or imitate my teacher, I’m going to be no-one.
So, how did everything go? Well, I simply loved it! The classes went really well and I felt like I actually had something to give to the participants. Of course, since I was assisting the classes, I had a smaller part to play, but nevertheless it was me who was showing the example, who the participants looked up to. I never had the feeling that they were disapponted of having me there as a replacement - no, everybody were really happy to have me there. And well, I must admit that I liked the feeling of being in the middle of attention. Some people don't like it but it gives me something.
However, maybe it was me who learned the most during the weekend. Observing others, answering specific questions and trying to figure out what could be the most useful tip for the group made me learn a lot. Also, being in front of everyone made me focus more on my lines, my posture, my steps, how I should place my hands, how to hold myself. I also learned a lot about F during our long and hearty discussions after the classes and parties. I appreciate the way he made me feel like equal and the way he gave me more of a teacher rather than a student role in the classes. This is one of the things that makes a great teacher to stand out.
Maybe the most exciting part of the workshops was to give improvised dance demos with F. I knew these were going to go to spread everywhere in Facebook - not the best time to mess something up. Now that I look at the videos I can spot the points where I could have done better, but hey, this is how I will learn more and more. And I don't want to underestimate the parts I do really well, because there is nothing wrong to say that I did.
There is one highlight I have to tell you about the trip. I was hoping to see one specific leader there who I knew was from Oslo. I met him two years ago in Helsinki Zouk Festival and I had just amazing dance connection with him, definitely the best dances of the festival. I was quite disappointed not to see him in Friday's party or Saturday's classes, but when I came to Saturday's party, I immediately recognized him. Apparently he didn't, so I asked him for a dance. Then he realized: we have been dancing before, haven't we? Yes we had. And for a couple of songs, we were back.
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