I am a beginner with the sword so maybe I can give you the flip side of it. Learning the moves is great, but I also am learning through a lot of practice. When I first started I didn't think you had to move your head to balance it, I used my body only. Now that I have figured that essential part out it is getting easier. Good lucK and if you have any good tips for me let me know! Thanks.

I don't perform a lot with a sword, but I would recommend teaching newbies with a wooden dowel, like what you'd find at your hardware store. This is the way I first learned, and it is challenging (because the dowels are lighter and more rolly-polly than a sword) but it is safer. If your students can master balancing them, they should have little problem with a sword.

The most memorable advice I've received about dancing with a sword came from my first instructor, Della. She stressed that it is very important to spend time presenting the sword and dancing the shape and power of the sword before just plunking it on your head or elsewhere to balance it. Remember, this is dancing, not stupid human tricks. Explore the curvature of the sword, feel how it is to swing it, to create figure 8's with it, what stories it would tell.

My advice, since you have these students for a short time, is just to map out a short sample of a descent, floor work and ascent and give them time to play with it. Then spend time toward the end demonstrating a few of you own signature sword moves. IAMED has a great floorwork video that may lend some good ideas. Good luck!

For beginners, the most important thing for learning balancing props is to maintain good dance posture so they don't change levels with each step. Does the class have to use swords? For ultra beginners, beanbags or dowels work well. For those with a little practice, bowls and baskets are a good balancing tool.

Are these actual beginning students? If so, I would be a little worried about teaching them floorwork moves because they probably won't have the muscle strength built up yet in their core or thighs to perform it safely.