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TOCA TEACHER · Lesson 27 · Teaching

A private dance lesson is not a small group class

It is the format that gives you the one thing every other format rations, full attention. It is also the one that most rewards preparation and most punishes improvisation, because there is nowhere to hide.

Dawou Tarraxo, pioneer of Tarraxo. A private dance lesson is not a small group class

Begin with a diagnosis, not a lesson. Watch them dance for two minutes and read the passive dance. Where does the weight stall, where does the axis wobble, where does the frame go soft. Then choose one theme, the single change that will unlock the most, and protect it from your own temptation to teach everything you can see.

Structure the hour like a small story. Warm up, isolate the theme, apply it to real music, then name the one thing to practise before you meet again.

Agree the price, the length and the cancellation terms before you start.

Private kizomba lessons reward preparation and punish improvisation.

The private lesson is where nothing can hide, step by step

  1. A PRIVATE LESSON IS NOT A SMALL GROUP CLASS.
  2. You have the one thing every other format rations. Full attention.
  3. Start with a diagnosis, not a lesson. Watch them dance for two minutes.
  4. Read the passive dance. Where the weight stalls, where the axis wobbles.
  5. Then choose one theme. The single change that unlocks the most.
  6. A private that fixes one thing deeply beats one that touches ten lightly.
  7. Warm up, isolate the theme, apply it to music, name the homework.
What is the one thing your next private should fix?

The full carousel

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This lesson comes from the book

Page 220 of The teacher's guide by Dawou Tarraxo, the TOCA Method page this lesson comes from
The teacher's guide · page 220

The student’s book takes dancers from the first foundations to real feeling. The teacher’s guide gives instructors the structure to pass it on. Both in English, French and Spanish, on Amazon and Apple Books.

The student’s book The teacher’s guide

The method

T O C A

Two bodies. One connection.

TTouchThe connection with your partner. Feeling through contact, never through force.
OObservationListening to your partner’s body, energy and tempo.
CControlMastery of your own movement. Precision without tension.
AAwarenessFull presence: with yourself, your partner and the music.