I want to learn to dance well but my short-term memory blanks out immediately every time.

[Spliffle]

I want to learn to dance. I'm in a class where the teacher teaches moves that build up into a whole dance to a song. I'm so embarrassed, he shows us the moves like, 3, 4 or 5 movements, which we practise and then he goes to the next bit and adds some more on. I'm fine as long as I'm watching the teacher. But as soon as he steps back to let us practise my mind goes instantly blank. I can only start then by watching others completely and I hate it. It makes my dance very poorly coordinated. How can I hold onto these moves in my head? I'm in my 50s I want to evolve into a granny who can hold her own on the dancefloor...

Try some heavy drinking. Suddenly you will feel the flow and just know that you are an excellent dancer, probably to something like MC Hammer or similar, and everyone will stand back and admire your moves.

I find that I need to be two or three classes into whichever dance we're doing and then muscle memory takes over - until then I'm having to think too consciously and it doesn't properly click! Are you doing different routines each week or is there repetition?

Do you practice at home? I sing with a choir and we go through a few bars of music at a time. Without practice at home on top I would never remember it all.

I do martial arts. Similar in learning movement and the coordination of limbs. I struggle with putting together the moves. I know in my head what I want to do. My body has distinctly different ideas.
It really comes down to practice, which I need to take more seriously if I don't want to look a twat. 🤣

Could you afford some one to one lessons? It makes a big difference.

How are you thinking as you dance? Do you hear the counts? Names of moves? Song lyrics? Nothing at all?

I’ve danced since I was tiny but only as a not-young adult realised how many different ways different people hear or don’t hear while they are dancing. I hear a mix of counts and words to help me remember the steps. So give each thing a name as the teacher shows you and then say those things over and over and over. I will hear an inner monologue of ‘5,6 cross, turn, right, point 3, 4’ that makes sense to no one else but makes sense to me. …but this would be rubbish advice if you have trouble remembering a short list of words or anything.

Worth a shot. Good luck!

you’ve reminded me of this video.

www.google.co.uk/search?q=the+tragedy+of+first+position&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-gb&client=safari

Ha!!!! Swop toddler for slightly pudgy mid 50s woman and that's me! 😂😂😂

as long as you don’t have to resort to trying to pick your feet up with your hands to get them into position then you’re ok @GeorgeorRuth 🤣

I know that I just don’t have the motor planning planning skills required for Zumba so I’ll never try it!

Practice. Practice and more practice.
If it takes you longer to remember the routine you just need more goes at it. Keep going!