How Dance Can Benefit Young Dancers.

 

 

As a young dancer the dance environment can be a challenging and exciting time.  New friends, teachers telling you what to do, and trying to learn all the new dance moves you have never done before.  This can be tiring and trying for any new or young dancer and may cause some frustrations.  But what are the benefits from all the grunts, groans, sweat, and exhaustion? 

A dancer that participates in dance regularly will benefit in many ways.  One way is with the improvement of their physical health.  Dance improves flexibility, stamina, range of motion, improves balance and muscle tone, and increases physical strength.

A second way dance helps is with their social skills.  Dance creates an environment that encourages communication, good sportsmanship, improves their confidence, and encourages performance and showmanship.  If you have a shy and timid child, dance can help bring them out of their shell and creates a positive and goal-oriented individual.  Teaching them throughout their childhood how to achieve their goals and be a leader.

Next, dance can help with their educational development.  It is shown that dancers need to be focused and disciplined and this can be taken into other areas in their lives.  It has been shown that students that participate regularly in dance perform better in school and with their testing levels.  Dance students are shown to be more creative and have an appreciation for the arts.

Lastly, dance can help a child with their self-esteem.  Participating in an activity that requires competing or performing of any kind can help a child feel accomplished and that they are achieving their goals.  Dance teaches children to feel good about their bodies and who they are as individuals. 

Many individuals wonder when is the best time to put your child into dance.  Go off of what your child is showing you.  Do they dance around the house and perform for you on a regular basis?  Or do they seem to look at other dancers with awe and respect?  Your little one will show you if it is something they are interested in.  If you want discuss it with your child, you will be surprised what answer you may get.  For a side note, you may want to check with your local dance studios for regulations on having them potty trained first.  But, know that the choices you are making by putting your child in dance will improve their future incredibly. 

Dance-No More Excuses



 

Being a dancer can be as challenging as football, basketball, or any other sport.  It takes determination and personal drive to excel from day-to-day.   But, excuses can be put a damper on your personal growth in dance and in life.

 

 

Excuses can sabotage your progress and bring your team down all together.  With the first I am too tired, or my legs hurt, you are creating a negative experience.  Yes dance is difficult and it can push you to your limits physically and mentally, but the question to ask yourself is, do you love to dance?

Anything that you have passion for in life you should be excited and happy to do.  You should show up with a smile on your face and ready to push yourself to next level of excellence. 

Look at all the great leaders and inventors in history, did they get to where there were or are by making excuses?  No, they held themselves accountable to their mistakes and they woke up every day with personal drive to become what they had a passion for.

Dance is not only a hobby, but it can be a profession, an avenue to college scholarships, but more importantly it is a force to help shape you into a better individual.

 

 

Remember why you started dance and what it is about it that makes you smile.  The way to becoming a better dancer and human being is to surround yourself with positivity.  Because what you send out into the Universe is what you are going to receive back.  When you are negative you are creating more negative things to develop.  Envision yourself being a better dancer, landing each turn, having perfect form and you will get there.  Have patience with yourself and have fun with it, because whatever you love to do you should have fun doing it.  Show up to dance with a positive attitude and with no excuses and watch what happens.

Preparation for dance competition season...what do you need to do?

 

 

The dance competition season is almost among us and this means long weekends and busy schedules.  Life as a competitive dancer isn’t always easy, but the rewards are long lasting and worth all the hard work.

So, what do you need to do to do as a competitive dancer to prepare for this busy time of year to make it easier and more productive? 

First, making sure that all costumes and needed personal items are all neatly put together will help that morning of your first competition.  Putting small items, such as hair bows, gloves, tights, foot paws, etc., in sealable plastic baggies will help keep small items from being lost and will be easily accessible.  The night before your competition make sure all needed items are found and put into the proper places in your bag.  Other items that may be useful to have in your dance bag would be hairspray, makeup, eyelash glue,  extra set of lashes, bobby pins, safety pins, snacks for in between dances, Q-tips, extra elastics, a brush and a comb.

Make sure you get to bed early the night before to get plenty of rest, so you aren’t feeling sluggish and tired.  This will help keep your mind alert and you will give a top notch performance.  Eat a nutritious breakfast and plan ahead so you will arrive early to your destination, with plenty of time to check in and find your team’s dressing room. 

When you arrive at the competition, make sure you are professional and have a smile on your face.  Creating a positive and professional atmosphere can help your team and your own personal performance.   

Here are some tips to help with your dance team’s competition:

·         Don’t fear the judges – know that the judges are human and they’re there to watch you and your team have fun.  Show them all the hard work you have been doing over the last 5-6 months.  Make eye contact, smile and show the judges that you love to dance and are having a fabulous time.

·         Have faith in the choreography – even if you have flawless technique and breathtaking leaps, choreography is very important.  This will create amazing balance and flow.

·         Be thankful for all those hours of practice – practice, practice, practice, this is the answer to perfecting any talent or technique.  The hours of practice will show in your performance.

·         Use your face – amazing dancing isn’t just using your body, but you need to use your entire body.  So smile and show expression in your face and watch how much it will affect your performance and the audience.

·         Warm Up – when you get to the competition find a large area to stretch and warm-up your body.  You might be tempted to observe the crowd, but know that warming up is very important for preventing injury and for calming your nerves.

·         Keep your cool – remember competing isn’t everything.  What is more important is having fun and doing your best.  The judges will be able to tell if you love your craft and doing it for total enjoyment.  When you love what you do it shows through and this is what makes a true winner.  So keep calm and show the audience and the judges exactly why you spend countless hours practicing every week.

Lastly, always behave in a manner that would be representing the mission and vision of your dance studio.  You are representing the best and you should behave like you are the best.  Be humble, be confident and always be positive.