Note to differently-abled young people…
So, you want to achieve goals specified in your NDIS plan and learn to dance at the same time?
You may well be able to gain exercise and fulfil plan goals in other ways, but you yearn to dance and you don’t know where to start?
Are you looking for a dance school: -
- That, (through its programming), shows its commitment to creating a safe space accessible to all in the community,
- Which teaches students of all abilities to feel equal and powerful in the world,
- Which teaches students to express themselves, individually and as a community, through a shared love for dance,
- That uses dance to promote emotional awareness and social development,
- That ensures students grow as dancers with a focus on becoming emotionally mature young people who learn to self-advocate,
- That has enjoyed exceptional growth because of its commitment to including students of varying abilities.
Then, Bust A Move Dance may be the school for you.
Bust A Move’s Dance Instructor/Mindset Coach/Director, Ali Phillips, opened the studio in 2009 when she recognised the joy experienced by Brisbane young people who met to dance at a monthly social event.
The school operates in Brisbane, Australia and in Toronto, Canada.
Ali and her staff use dance to enhance social and emotional development. They understand that confidence in dancers can increase through improvisation in front of a camera and through contact improvisation. The latter involves exploration of a dancer’s body in relation to another dancer by sharing weight and touch and being aware of the movements of the other dancer/s.
There is a focus on mindfulness; for the students to learn to be and stay within the present moment. With the practice of mindfulness, the dancers can more easily adapt to movements that are required.
It doesn’t take students long to feel part of the group. As their confidence grows, they begin to believe in their ability to achieve and the lessons they learn through dance—such as better communication and increased social skills, can be used in the ‘outside world’.
Instructors also encourage active listening and positive thinking and the development of personal stamina to facilitate lasting change in the individual.
There are three ways to access Brisbane classes: