Tips for Improving In Dance

Wouldn't it be nice if you woke up one morning and could suddenly do twenty flawless fouettes, triple beats during petite, and jump five feet during grand allegro?

We all wish it could happen overnight, but to get better at dance, you have to commit to years of hard work and dedication. But what if I told you I've got some tips for speeding up your improvement? You're in luck, because that's what I'm sharing today.

Don't cheat yourself in class.

It's so easy to go off releve or drop your knees in the plank while the teacher's head is turned. But it's only going to take you that much longer to improve. Push yourself to your limit. My dad was talking to me recently about this, and he said that when you think you can't go any longer, go five more seconds. Then five more. Only stop when you absolutely have to. Do your best, even when the teacher isn't looking. The hard work will pay off.

Get inspired before classes.

Interestingly, I've found that watching advanced ballerinas before I take class helps my own technique as I'm dancing. It's because I notice the skill and grace they perform with, and attempt to copy that in my own dancing.

Don't rely on the mirror.

Becoming so used to dancing with a mirror will lead to a lot of confusion when it's taken away. You may be so used to seeing yourself dance in the mirrors that you're not even feeling the movements anymore. Get comfortable dancing without them.

Do things outside of class.

Not only can you practice technique outside of class, but doing things like workouts, TheraBand, PlumBand, and stretching will improve your dancing significantly. There's so many other exercises you can do to specifically help with ballet, which you can find on the internet or by asking your teachers.

Video yourself.

An easy way to improve quickly is to record yourself executing a move, then to watch and analyze it, over and over, until it looks as close to perfection as possible. To find the smaller details, use the slow-motion setting.

Pick a focus.

Using a notes app or notebook, write down a focus that you have for class each day. I also like to write down something for the week, month, and year. Use stuff that you can become aware of and improve in a short amount of time for you daily and weekly focuses. For example: turnout, straight knees, core activation. Monthly and yearly goals should be things that take longer to improve, like the splits or triple fouettes.

Keep working hard and your dedication will pay off!

Dancing4Jesus

Psalm 149:3~ Let them praise his name with dancing. (NIV)

Contact me here: dancing4jesus20@gmail.com

Comments

Dressing Modestly for Ballet

Dressing modestly in the ballet world- and not spending a fortune while at it- is definitely a real struggle. It was easy as a young dancer to dress modestly. Leotards were high in the front and back and skirts were appropriate length. Everything was cheap and easy to find. They even have a section at Walmart with little girl's ballet clothes. Once you start wearing women's sizes, though, everything changes. Dancewear stores aren't very common, so looking online is what most older dancers do. And then to find inexpensive, pretty, and appropriate leotards that match the dress code can take a long time. In this post I'm going to share what dressing modestly in ballet looks like, as well as some online dancewear stores you can try. Dress code is the biggest problem for a lot of dancers. Unless you can find a school who's dress code lines up with your beliefs, you've got a decision to make. If the dress code, whether for class or performances is inappropriate, don...

Summer Workshop 2021!

Five days till summer workshop! For the first time in two years, I'm going to attend a summer workshop at my studio! Ever since I was seven, I attended my studio's summer workshop annually. Then, in the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, causing the worldwide lockdown. Because of this, I had to miss the workshop for the first time in eight years. But after resuming classes in August, the workshop will continue as usual too. This year I'll be taking classes in Ballet Technique, Pointe, Choreography, Contemporary, Musical Theatre, Yoga, and Conditioning. The workshop lasts two weeks, five days a week, and I'll be going six hours the first week, and eight or more hours the second week. The extra two hours during the second week are due to the fact that I'll be teaching two classes this year! I'm tempted to share the story behind this right now, but I'm going to wait and share it next week. So keep an eye out! My posts the next couple of months will re...

Back To Dance Series- How to Avoid Injuries as You Go Back to Dance

It's easier than usual to get injured at the sta rt of a new year of dance. In today's post, you'll learn why that is, and what you can do to prevent it. Why are you more likely to get injured now? One reason is, after months of no classes, or less classes than normal, you won't have the strength and stamina you had months ago. Your muscles will get tired faster, which will result in less support for your joints. The other reason is dancers are more likely to push themselves beyond their limits. Whether it's out of excitement or an effort to prove themselves at the start of a new school year, dancers can actually work too hard. What can you do to prevent injuries? Now that you know why injuries are more likely to occur right now, I'm going to show you what you can do to help prevent it. To start with, go slow. Build your body back up to what it was capable of before summer. Listen to your body, and if you feel fatigue or pain, take it easy. Only attempt things...

Dancing4Jesus

Search This Blog