Learning to dance..

[jwhitley]

Hi:)

I was wondering how you learn to dance? I mean, besides going to powwows and living on a res and stuff. I have nothing like that around me, but I would like to learn.
Thanks:)

[Wojapi4Me]

the best way to learn to dance is by going to pow wows, living on a rez and stuff

[Josiah]

the best way to learn to dance is by going to pow wows, living on a rez and stuff

Yes Really
lol

[jwhitley]

the best way to learn to dance is by going to pow wows, living on a rez and stuff

Haha, well, wouldn't you know it? Duh:) lol

No but uh...any other sugestions? I didn't know if there was like a vedio to teach you the steps or what:)
Thanks

[Barb]

Yes there are videos you can get for each style of dancing. However I found by watching the dancers and talking to different people at the Pow wows is the best way to learn.

[Cree_thang]

Please, please please, dont think that you have to live on a rez to learn to dance...That has nothing to do with it! I grew up on the rez and learned to dance, but I also have friends who grew up in the city who have learned to dance too. If exposed to it, you will learn. Whatever your style of learning may be, use it to your advantage. Perhaps you learn visually, maybe you learn by what others tell you, whatever your style-use it! That's the best advise I could give. Oh yeah, there may be a group that practices somewhere, join em! Fortunately, there is such a group in my city and that is where I take my children during the winter to practice...During the summer it's SHOW TIME! We go to pow-wows and give er nails!!!

[Josiah]

Please, please please, dont think that you have to live on a rez to learn to dance...That has nothing to do with it! I grew up on the rez and learned to dance, but I also have friends who grew up in the city who have learned to dance too. If exposed to it, you will learn. Whatever your style of learning may be, use it to your advantage. Perhaps you learn visually, maybe you learn by what others tell you, whatever your style-use it! That's the best advise I could give. Oh yeah, there may be a group that practices somewhere, join em! Fortunately, there is such a group in my city and that is where I take my children during the winter to practice...During the summer it's SHOW TIME! We go to pow-wows and give er nails!!!

I think what he was saying was the best way to learn how to dance is to go to powwows and be around other ndns

There are only 1 remaining rez in Oklahoma for instance but lots of communities and certainly plenty of powwows
You can watch all the videos you want but unless you set down with someone and talk about what you are seeing you will not learn the proper way

Dance is a hand me down kind of thang!

[soopashinaab]

Please, please please, dont think that you have to live on a rez to learn to dance...That has nothing to do with it! I grew up on the rez and learned to dance, but I also have friends who grew up in the city who have learned to dance too. If exposed to it, you will learn. Whatever your style of learning may be, use it to your advantage. Perhaps you learn visually, maybe you learn by what others tell you, whatever your style-use it! That's the best advise I could give. Oh yeah, there may be a group that practices somewhere, join em! Fortunately, there is such a group in my city and that is where I take my children during the winter to practice...During the summer it's SHOW TIME! We go to pow-wows and give er nails!!!

I think what he was saying was the best way to learn how to dance is to go to powwows and be around other ndns

There are only 1 remaining rez in Oklahoma for instance but lots of communities and certainly plenty of powwows
You can watch all the videos you want but unless you set down with someone and talk about what you are seeing you will not learn the proper way

Dance is a hand me down kind of thang!

nuff said!!!

[pow-wow person]

the good thing about dancing

I was taken to powwows in the city of Chicago when I was little and then was shown by a good friend of my Mom's how to wait for the head dancers etc. protocol for me was a form of respect for the other dancers. Before that I was just a kid and danced whenever the drum started. For me to dance was all about feeling good and knowing that I was a part of this whole scene. I went to many powwows all my life where I believe the best part is when everyone is getting down and just dancing and singing. No contest, no judging, just dancing. It never goes away, our people are always going to have this and it cant be taken away.
Hang out at as many powwows as you can and just enjoy, lots of people will help you out and watch videos too.

[NancyJo]

Crazy Crow Trading Post has a video for beginning dancers............but I'm telling you the same thing I was told when I started dancing........you got to spend a lot of time on the bench at powwows watching and learning before you start dancing.

[pow-wow person]

just a dancer

I just danced! must have been good, cause it was fun

[handgame_native]

Wee Chaw!

[pow-wow person]

learning

Learning to dance is not about sitting on the side, it is about participation. So I would say - do like I did and get up and dance.

[SamanthaF]

You can "learn how to do the steps" by watching but you will never truely dance until you understand that dancing comes in response to the drum beating within. So, watch the videos, watch at powwows, ask questions, practice and then let your soul be expressed when you go out onto the floor.

[pow-wow person]

ndn dancing

Is that like, "its an ndn thing?" Of course, you feel it inside just like I said before you can't get that feeling anywhere but with your own.