If you’ve ever tried to learn a choreography and felt like the movements simply wouldn’t stick, you’re not alone. Many dancers — even experienced ones — sometimes feel frustrated when learning a new piece.
There are a few reasons why this happens:
1. Every choreographer has their own “language”
A choreography is the choreographer’s interpretation of music, translated into movement. Each choreographer has their own way of expressing rhythm and melody. Once you’ve danced a few of their works, the style starts to feel more familiar — you begin to understand their “language.”
Some choreographies flow naturally, others feel more challenging. Often it depends on how well you connect with the choreographer’s style and the music. If the music inspires you, learning becomes easier — positive emotion enhances memory and focus.
2. Your teacher’s style shapes what you learn
No teacher is perfect. Every teacher has their own strengths — and their own blind spots. Some may favor certain movements while neglecting others. Over time, students tend to absorb these preferences.
That’s why I often encourage dancers to change teachers every few years. It broadens your perspective, exposes you to new movement vocabularies, and prevents you from getting stuck in someone else’s habits.
On my own classes, I teach choreographies by Egyptian choreographers, along with the related technique. This way my students get a variety of approaches, not only the movements I personally favor.
3. Awareness makes all the difference
Learning choreography isn’t just about copying what you see in the mirror. It’s about doing the movement consciously. Listen to the instructions: where should the movement be felt in the body? What muscles are working?
If you only follow the teacher without paying attention, learning will be slow — sometimes it won’t happen at all. But when you focus on the details, progress comes much faster.
4. Repetition — on and off the dance floor
After class, write down what you remember. It doesn’t matter if some details are wrong — the act of recalling already strengthens memory. Practice at home, even briefly, once or twice a week.
Oriental dance uses muscles you don’t typically activate in everyday life. By strengthening these muscles, you not only improve your technique but also make choreography easier to learn.
💡 Tip: Next time you struggle with a choreography, remember — it doesn’t mean you’re a bad dancer. It just means you’re learning someone else’s “language.”