The secret to freestyle and flow…

My freestyle and flow is a direct reflection of how many times I have failed over the years. Read that again.

Failure is the portal to discovery and success. I have fallen, missed a step, forgot a combo etc. within the clubs, outside of the clubs and even in competition. Performers know this best, when you stumble you DO NOT stop the show. In fact, you keep moving, as if, you had intended to do that. Most of the time when this happens to me, I end up replicated that “stumble” over and over again. In a way, you are allowing your body to move as natural as possible and commit to the path your body has chosen for you.

I do not think there is any guaranteed way for another person to teach you how to freestyle. You cannot “teach” a vibe, a flow, a persona. That is all on you to create. Yes, draw inspiration from others, take choreography classes and get advice BUT you are going to have to figure out what your own style is.

My best suggestion would be to build up your base (classes, & workshops for technique) and then find a mirror, or put a blindfold on and see/feel what your body does naturally. And if you happen to trip during a pole turn, or miss the pole…see where that takes you (or feel where it takes you if you are blindfolded). Dance to different genres to find your “niche” because the more you feel that music…the better you will dance to it. I know this personally because I used to work in a club where we were FORCED to dance to country music and all rhythm left my body because I was so bored with what I was listening to. Needless to say, I do not work in bars where they make the music choice for me because I am an artist…not a doll for you to direct.

And for the love of DOG record your sessions. Even if you aren’t comfortable sharing with anyone, do it for you and your own journey. You will thank me later once you have found your style and can look back at the stumbles that got you there. This dance journey should be for you anyways, who cares what others think. Do not compare yourself to other people, we are all on our own path.

In closing, there is no secret. Style is not teachable for it is created through missed steps, repetition and love for the feeling that dance gives you.

As always, have fun, train safe and I’ll talk to you later.

Viv