THE UNWRITTEN RULES OF DANCE CLASS

Let’s talk dance class etiquette.

Because somehow there are a whole load of rules that nobody actually tells you… you’re just expected to KNOW them 😂

And if you’re new to taking classes, how would you?!

Most of these aren’t about being strict or making dance class serious. They’re about keeping everyone safe, respecting the teacher and remembering that you’re sharing the room with a whole group of people who have also paid to be there.

So, consider this your unofficial guide to the unwritten rules of dance class.

WINDOWS. PLEASE I BEG.

If you learn one thing from this blog, let it be this

Find. Your. Window.

Dance class lines should be staggered. You should be standing in the gap between the two people in front of you, not directly behind someone and definitely not directly next to someone in the same line.

Firstly, you need to actually be able to see the teacher and secondly, SPACE.

Especially in heels classes, choreography can involve kicks, hair whips, floorwork, tricks and travelling. If everyone is standing directly beside each other, somebody is eventually getting hit.

And I have unfortunately seen what happens when this goes wrong firsthand.

A dancer once got an actual stiletto to the HEAD because people were too close together. She literally had the print of the stiletto in her head and was bleeding.

Not cute or sexy and definitely not fun for anyone involved. 😭

So when your teacher keeps telling everyone to find their windows, they’re not being annoying.

MOVE INTO THE GAP.

DON'T GET YOUR PHONE OUT UNTIL THE TEACHER SAYS YOU CAN FILM

This is a big one.

Just because you have your phone with you does not automatically mean you have permission to film the class.

Some teachers are completely happy for you to film while you're learning. Some only allow filming at the end. Some choreography can't be filmed at all.

Wait until the teacher tells you.

And if you're unsure, then ask.

Apart from respecting the teacher and their choreography, constantly having phones out can completely change the atmosphere of a class.

The content can wait.

DON'T TALK OVER THE TEACHER

I feel like this one shouldn't need explaining but… here we are 😂

When the teacher is explaining choreography, technique or giving corrections, that is not the time to start a full conversation with the person next to you.

It’s distracting for the teacher, distracting for the people around you and generally just makes it harder to teach the room.

There are plenty of moments throughout class to chat.

While the teacher is teaching isn't one of them.

GIVE THE TEACHER A CHANCE TO ACTUALLY TEACH

Questions are GOOD.

Please ask questions if you don't understand something.

But...

If the teacher has been explaining the next section for approximately 2.7 seconds, maybe give them a chance to finish before jumping in with:

"WAIT, is the arm doing this?" 😭

Trust your teacher.

Chances are they're about to explain the exact thing you're asking about. They'll probably demonstrate it again, break down the details and then give you a chance to try it.

Interrupting halfway through an explanation can break the flow of teaching and, whether you mean it that way or not, can sometimes come across as undermining.

Let them finish, try it a few times...

Then, if you're still confused, absolutely ask your question.

YOUR GROUP FINISHED? PUT THE PHONE DOWN.

It's the end of class.

The teacher splits everyone into smaller groups so you actually have some space to DANCEEEE.

Your group goes and you get your video, then immediately...

Everyone grabs their phone and starts watching themselves back while the next group is dancing.

Noooooo😭

Your video isn't going anywhere, watch it when you get home.

One of my favourite things about dance class is the energy in the room when everyone is genuinely supporting each other. Watch the other group, clap for them, hype people up, pay attention to how other dancers interpret the choreography.

You can actually learn a LOT from watching other people dance too.

Dance class should feel like a room full of people training together, not 30 individuals waiting for their turn to make content.

TAKING A CLASS ABOVE YOUR LEVEL? BE MINDFUL OF WHERE YOU STAND.

I actually encourage dancers to challenge themselves.

Sometimes taking a class slightly outside your comfort zone is exactly what you need.

But if you know you've walked into a class that's significantly above your current level and you're going to struggle to keep up, front centre probably isn't the best place to put yourself.

It's not about the front being reserved for "the best dancers".

It's about the flow of the room.

People behind you are often using the dancers in front of them as a reference when they can't see the teacher. If you're completely lost, stopping constantly or going in the opposite direction, it can become really distracting (and dangerous) for everyone around you.

Find somewhere you can still see, challenge yourself and enjoy the class without putting pressure on yourself to lead the room.

And when you're ready for front centre?

GET UP THEREEEE.

IF YOU'RE LATE… ENTER LIKE YOU'RE LATE 😂

Life happens! Trains get delayed, traffic is traffic-ing. Sometimes you're going to be late.

But if you walk into a class that's already started, come in quietly, find yourself a space and join in.

Don't interrupt the teacher mid-explanation to announce your arrival or immediately start asking what you've missed.

Catch up as best you can and, if you need help, wait for an appropriate moment to ask.

Also remember that if you've missed the warm-up, your body has missed the warm-up.

Especially if you're taking a physical class involving heels, tricks or floorwork, don't throw yourself straight into something your body isn't prepared for just because everyone else is doing it.

RESPECT THE LEVEL ADVERTISED

This one works BOTH ways.

If you're a beginner choosing to take an intermediate or advanced class, amazing. Challenge yourself.

But you can't then expect the teacher to stop an intermediate/advanced class and break down foundational movements that dancers at that level are expected to already understand.

You chose to step into a higher-level environment, so go in knowing that the pace and assumed knowledge are going to be different.

And advanced dancers...

If YOU choose to take a beginner class, please don't spend the whole class complaining that it's too easy or you're bored.

It's a beginner class babe. 😭

Use it.

Clean up your technique. Work on your execution. Pay attention to your lines. Your transitions. Your performance. Your foundations can ALWAYS be better.

The level on the class description isn't just there for decoration.

Read it and respect what you've signed up for.

FILMING DOESN'T MEAN YOU OWN THE STUDIO

Okay, filming time.

The teacher says you can get your videos, everyone gets excited and suddenly we're on the set of a music video.

Relax. 😂

You are still sharing the studio with everyone else who paid to be there.

Be mindful of how much space you're taking up. Don't expect an entire room of people to rearrange themselves so you can get the perfect angle. Don't get annoyed because somebody exists in the background of your video.

And please don't spend forever setting your camera up and then standing in front of people so you are in frame...

Get your video. Have your moment. Let everyone else have theirs too (and yes i see you sneaking into multiple groups to get another shot).

Filming can be such a fun part of class and it's amazing having something to look back on, but the class comes first and the video comes second.

BASICALLY...

Most dance class etiquette isn't complicated.

Be aware of the room.

Respect your teacher.

Respect the level.

Support the people around you.

And remember that everyone in that studio has come for the same reason you have to dance, learn and have a good time.

Know the etiquette, find your window and pleaseeeee keep the stilettos away from people's heads.

Love,

Beyoncé x