As a dance teacher, I'm always looking for effective ways to help my students enjoy learning technique. That's why I created "Superman Slow Motion" (or Superwoman – you pick!). This teaching method is a fun way to help dancers enjoy learning even the most complex technique, no matter what style of dance you do.
The Magic of Superman Slow Motion (or Superwoman)
In class, I often see students focus on how a movement starts and ends. But then they miss all the juicy details in the middle. It’s like firing a gun—there’s the bang of the explosion, and then the bullet hitting the target. However, as humans we don't see the bullet’s path. This is where Superman or Superwoman comes to the rescue!
Think about how Superman can see the bullet in flight, noticing every inch of its journey, like he has a special slow-motion camera in his eyes. In the same way, that's what we practice – being like Superman and noticing every single inch of our movement.
So, we look at every moment between the start and end of a rock-step. Or we notice every inch of motion from the beginning of a dip to its end. Whether it's a basic step or a complex spin, we slow it down and feel it bit by bit.
Inspire Deep Technique
You might find that students don’t always want to work hard on technique. Instead, they want to learn cool moves and have fun. So, if you want them to actually work hard and dive deep into technique, don’t just start working on it. First, inspire them to do it.
Here’s how…
Unleashing Your Students’ Inner Superheroes
Here’s how to apply Superman Slow Motion in your lessons:
Step 1: Pick a Small Section
Instead of focusing on an entire move, consider selecting just one or two beats. For example, guide your students to focus on the journey from the beginning to the end of a single rock-step, or the subtle shift into a counterbalanced movement, or the prep for the start of a lead/follow, etc.
Step 2: Set the Stage
Next, it’s key that you really sell your students on this concept to inspire them. Use this fun Superman analogy, and deliver the following script to get them fully immersed:
Superman Script
"When a gun fires, we see the spark of the gun, and then we see the bullet hitting the target—so we observe the beginning and the end. However, Superman (or Superwoman) sees the bullet travel every moment in between. That’s precisely what I want for your Rock Step. Not only do I want you to feel the Rock and the Step, but I also want you to be the Superhero, experiencing every single moment in between the start of the Rock and the end of the Step. Therefore, today, we are going to dive deep into becoming Superheroes. Ready?"
This script sets the tone, creating excitement and focus for whatever you want them to work on. So feel free to replace “Rock Step” with any movement or technique of your choice. For example, it works really great for improving dips!
Step 3: Visualize
Ask your students to close their eyes and imagine they are Superman, watching their chosen movement in super slow motion. As they visualize, encourage them to notice how their weight shifts, and how their body aligns as energy flows through each tiny part of the movement.
Step 4: Practice with Superhuman Focus
Have your students practice the move at a pace that’s insanely slow. I’m talking within the space of one or two counts, breaking the movement into very small bits. Whether it’s entering or exiting counterbalance or preparing the connection for a lead/follow, have them refine each inch of motion as if they were Superman watching it in flight.
Go To Insane Superhuman Levels
I’ve been in classes where we tried to roll our weight from the outside of one foot to the inside of that same foot, breaking that motion up into 50 separate tiny movements…all just to move less than 5 inches. Initially, we worked our way up to this, first breaking down changing weight from one foot to the other in 10 tiny movements, then 20, etc.
Although I’m sure I didn’t technically succeed in the most extreme examples, attempting this approach definitely brought way more awareness to my movement. And it was so effective and engaging, I still remember that class 20 years later.
Why Superman Slow Motion Works So Well
- Relatable and Fun: Everyone knows and loves Superman, making the analogy exciting and approachable. As a result, it inspires students to work harder and makes class more memorable and engaging.
- Micro-Movement Mastery: By slowing down within just one or two counts of a move, students become hyper-aware of every micro-shift and transition. This helps them hone their technique, creating smoother and more controlled movements.
- Empowerment through Precision: Viewing themselves as superheroes in training, students feel empowered as they master “superhuman” precision. Plus, this heightened control keeps them motivated and engaged, eager to apply this awareness to all aspects of their dancing.
Take Your Teaching to the Next Level with Universal Grounding Drills
Superman Slow Motion becomes even more powerful when combined with Dance Ninjas' simple yet effective Universal Grounding drills. These drills also enhance your balance, boost your connection with your partner, and can improve your students’ technique tenfold, in every dance style. Imagine your students feeling more stable, more connected, and more in control of their movements after just a few drills!
Want to see the difference for yourself?
Join our Teacher Training Program to access:
- Step-by-step Grounding drills that transform your students’ balance and connection…no matter what dance style you teach
- Video demonstrations of Superman Slow Motion in action
- Powerful teaching tips and much more to improve your students
And it gets even better…
You can unlock all these powerful teaching methods for just a little over $1 per day. So, take the next step in your teaching journey today!
By using Superman Slow Motion in your classes, you can help your students enjoy learning even the most difficult techniques. Whether it’s the initial prep for a move, or the transitions in and out of counterbalance, or whatever movement you want, this method will guide them to new heights in body awareness and control. And with an analogy as iconic as Superman or Superwoman, they’ll be eager to practice and share their newfound skills!
What movement will you try it with first? Share in the comments below.
