For dancers: the importance of believing you can

When learning a new skill in dance we see the end goal. We must believe that with training and time we will accomplish the end goal. Here’s my little insight from 10 years of teaching

What I see that gets in the way of this more often than not with my students starts in the mind.

The “I can’t” at first completely gets in the way of what do I need to do now to be able to

the “Its hard” prevents them from trying but if you’re dancing your a dancer and if you’re taking the time to read this I know at some point in some way internally have proven to yourself that you can do hard things. You now are able to do many things you once never thought possible.

So let’s start there. You now are able to do things you once never thought were possible.

leading with this mindset we then can get into two things that will bring us exactly where we want to go

SPECIFICITY

in what it is you are working on: Are you past the technical elements in your dance and want to focus on dynamics, have you reached an understanding of dynamic and want to focus on transitional technique. In jazz class is there a certain step you would like to conquer. Or in all classes would you like to work on picking up choreography faster.

which brings me to my next principle

CONSISTENCY

From here we then need to figure out 1-4 things you can do throughout the week consistently to make this muscle memory.

for example there was a time when I really struggled with picking up choreography. I realized I really struggled in certain classes with choreographers that didn’t teach transitions. For a period of time I would focus specifically on this when learning choreography then this skill became muscle memory and I do not have to focus as hard on remembering to pay attention to transitions.

The consistency part is hard because it takes time and trust. As well as sometimes when you are focusing on growing in one area you have to let go of the “wanting to look good” or “getting the combo perfect” and remember what those specifics are that you are working on. You will find you are getting more out of your training and find a new purpose to class.

AWARENESS to your class process

If you go into class without a plan or just want to look fierce in the combo and have it perfect you will often disappoint yourself because class is about the growth, its about the process, if you can leave saying I focused on my alignment in my pirouettes today and the combo wasn’t as strong as id like but this one moment I want to improve, because Ive stayed true to my consistency is improving you will always believe in yourself and not leave class tearing yourself down. Which I don’t love to use “should” but you should never leave class tearing yourself down, you have always learned something, and grown in your process or awareness in some way. If you can use this awareness as a tool and harness it, you will have so much power.

Belief. Specificity. Consistency. Awareness.