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Do
I need to attend dance classes before I try dancing with my cat?
The short answer is
"no" but a lot of cat dancers say that they found it very
useful to receive tuition. One said, "you don't need to go
to Yoga classes to do Yoga either, but it sure helps". Apart
from the obvious benefits of learning the techniques from someone
who's conversant with them, there's also the chance to pick up tips
from other dancers and feel like you're part of a larger community.
After all, dancing with our cats is something we really have to
do alone and you can feel rather isolated at times. So its great
to come to a class where you can meet others of the same persuasion,
feel confirmed in your practice, and usually make new friends.
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A Cat Dancing Class (video)
(3 Mb)
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How
do I find a cat dancing class?
Even though it has a
long history, cat dancing is relatively new to today's world, so
you may have to ring around a bit before you find a dance studio
that will offer cat dancing classes in your area. While the array
of dance studios may differ in the classes they offer or the types
of dance movement they emphasize, their natural enthusiasm for dance
as an energizing process will enable all of them to provide cat
dancing classes if they want to.
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should I look for in a cat dancing tutor?
Obviously you want a
dance instructor who has a cat, has spent time dancing with it and
knows how to help others interact with their cats through the dance.
Often dance instructors who are familiar with Pilates, Feldenkrais,
Tai Chi or Yoga may be more sensitive to the energy aligning aspect
of cat dancing and it may be useful to aim your initial inquiries
in that direction.
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Do
I have to take my cat to cat dancing class?
As most cats do not
take kindly to a sudden change in environment, especially one where
other cats may be present along with loud music and dancing, people
do not bring their cats to class. Instead they use stuffed (toy)
cats. Most dance studios that offer cat dancing classes require
students to buy their own. You can expect to spend about $20 for
a reasonable stuffed cat, but $50 will buy a top of the line, life-size
bendable model that is perfect for most movements.
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What
can I expect from a cat dancing class?
Classes usually start
with stretching and warm-up exercises that have a strong emphasis
on breath and alignment. After this they'll move on to pre-dance
energy aligning exercises (see FAQs) like remote stroking, mirroring
and visualization. These are followed by dances where participants,
using their stuffed cats, are shown the various techniques of holding
cats while dancing as a first stage to dancing independently with
the real thing. This will include shoulder dancing, chukra aligning
dance, remote stroking dance, prone dancing, leg rubbing moves,
and the basic cat step.
Even though you'll be
going home and practicing these techniques with your cat alone,
dance studios usually encourage some group choreography during instruction
as a way of building a group energy and consciousness that helps
students feel a valuable part of a universal movement. And, while
group work is the only practical way of handling large numbers of
people wanting to dance with their cats, you should nevertheless
expect your dance tutor to allow time for individual tuition especially
with the energy aligning exercises. Also, you should make sure you
let your tutor knows the size of your dance space at home, so that
the later, more advanced choreographed works you will be taught
to develop, will be tailored to your space requirements.
Remember, cat dancing
is a joyful, beautiful and healthful learning experience you can
enjoy with your cat and we wish you and your cat well in your new
found purpose together.
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