How can I stay motivated & positive in my dance class?

Question:OK, so long story short: I'm in a dance class at my school. If I can't grasp a dance step too well I start to beat myself up about it. (Like "isolation" and moving my hips for example).This is probably due to bad experiences in the past where I was laughed at and told I could never dance. I get tense and just can't relax and have a good time in class since I'm in it just to try something new. How can I let go of being so tense and hard on myself? How can I stay motivated in my dance class when I'm getting frustrated and discouraged?

Thanks!!

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: OK, so long story short: I'm in a dance class at my school. If I can't grasp a dance step too well I start to beat myself up about it. (Like "isolation" and moving my hips for example).This is probably due to bad experiences in the past where I was laughed at and told I could never dance. I get tense and just can't relax and have a good time in class since I'm in it just to try something new. How can I let go of being so tense and hard on myself? How can I stay motivated in my dance class when I'm getting frustrated and discouraged?

Thanks!!

My teachers are very strict and upset me and I feel like I'm not a good dancer sometimes. They dont mean too they are just critiquing me very hardly. Just think that you are taking these classes to get better. You might not be the best dancer in the class but your there because you love to do it.

try to smile, even if your upset. The more you smile the better you feel. I have dance teachers that really upset me, but when I smile, I feel better. the emotion eventually occurs. If you mess up, it also helps to laugh at yourself, it helps you feel OK about messing up and not so embraced.

Just remember that it's a class. You're going to mess up, you're not a pro. So don't worry about it, everyone messes up, but when you focus so hard on your mistakes and you beat yourself up over it, you're only opening yourself up to make more mistakes. I agree with the person below me. Smiling always helps.

You are learning, that's the whole point of taking a class. If you're learning you're bound to make mistakes. People who don't make mistakes are not trying hard enough.

Learn to praise yourself. When you do something well, say " Good job, StacieMusicFan I'm proud of you." When you mess up, comfort yourself and say " Stacie you're OK". After all, this is what you would have told your friend if she were learning and having trouble. Be a good friend to yourself too.

There is only one way of learning how to dance, and it is by trying.

When I'm heavily criticised by my teacher (gosh he can be mean sometimes) I concentrate on what he says I should do differently rather than on his teasing.
If your classmates dare to laugh at you just remember it's not their place and ignore them alltogether. It's your teachers job to criticise and correct you.

START TO LOVE IT! I'm not what you would consider a great dancer, but I LIVE for dancing.....it's something I am going to do the rest of my life. In fact, my dance teacher told me once that I beat myself up over things that aren't worth it, so now I just laugh at myself when I look like an idiot! I'm in Ballet, Jazz, and Hip-Hop, so I know what you mean. When you miss a step, just laugh! Everyone else does it, too!