With so many dance studios open nowadays, it seems that students always find themselves in front of mirrors to perfect their technique. It makes sense. You can watch your own movements to make sure your arms and legs aren’t just flopping about like a marionette (unless that’s what you’re aiming for of course). However, there are other dancers that choose to forgo having a clone for a dance partner believing that a real dancer learns in the cyphers; face to face with people.

Except for Bruce Lee. Because only Bruce Lee can hang with Bruce Lee.  Warner Bros

There are benefits to practicing with a mirror. You can tweak your techniques until they look the way you want them to, and when taking classes, a mirror makes it easier to follow the instructor. On the other hand, some people who get down in clubs or cyphers will argue that a mirror takes away the original style that can grow from a person; instead making a person focus on technique rather than just dancing.

From my personal experiences, I believe that there are times when a mirror can be helpful and there are times when you’ve got to stop looking at yourself no matter how sexy you may find your own backside. There have definitely been moments when I’ve struggled learning certain tricks and breaking down movements and watching myself helped me figure them out quickly and safely. I have also been to many clubs and jumped into numerous cyphers over the years and half the time, the best moves that come out are ones that I didn’t practice and just came out that particular moment. I’ve also noticed that I tend to be facing forward a lot when practicing in front of a mirror since that’s the direction I tend to be looking at 95% of time.

The other 5% is obviously spent looking at Shiba Inu Puppies on Tumblr.

So how about you? Do you prefer to train in front of a mirror? Or do you feel that only a cypher or social setting can bring out a dancer’s true potential?