Embracing the Dance Journey: Part Two – Honoring Your Unique Path
Welcome back to our dance series! In the first part, we discussed what to expect as you commit to a regular dancing routine. Now, let’s dive deeper into some additional insights that will help you navigate your dance journey with confidence and purpose. Here are some essential points to keep in mind as you continue to grow as a dancer.
1. Every Body is Different
As you progress in your dance practice, it’s vital to remember that every body is unique. This diversity is what makes dance so beautiful! Avoid comparing yourself to others, as everyone has different strengths, weaknesses, and physical attributes. This doesn’t mean you cannot admire other dancers, but rather that you should learn the difference between admiration and creating unrealistic expectations for yourself. Instead of striving to look like someone else, focus on embracing your own body and its capabilities. Yes, this can be harder than learning the actual dancing. But the more you learn to work with your body, the more you will be surprised how far it can take you.
Often, a side-effect of learning how to dance is never being satisfied with your own abilities and progress. And this can be a good thing, as it can push you to keep going and get further than you ever thought possible. But as you struggle with your lines, technique, timing, balance, etc…. remember that another dancer is likely admiring your flexibility, high arches, smooth port-de-bras, or who knows what else at this very moment! Everyone’s preferences for what makes a good dancer are different, so while you are obsessing over an imperfection, someone else may not even notice it as they are too busy obsessing over a totally different thing you never even thought to pay attention to. In other words - celebrate your progress, no matter how small, and remember that your journey is yours alone.
2. Don’t Ignore Technique
Here I need to apologize for going full-on dance teacher mode, but here goes: the biggest mistake I see adult dancers make over and over again is trying to learn more steps, or more complex steps, before they are ready. While it can be tempting to rush into learning new steps and routines, prioritizing technique is crucial. Yes, even for you social Ballroom dancers! Yes, even if you are just dancing for fun!
Different styles require different time-frames for developing proper technique, but every style you learn will have its own technique, which will make your dancing not only more polished, but also safe. Remember that just because you don’t feel immediate pain from executing a dance step improperly, doesn’t mean that your joints are not suffering. And trust me when I tell you - that slight pinch can turn into months of not being able to walk without pain, let alone dance, faster than you can buckle up your dance shoes!
Mastering the basics will serve as the foundation for your dance practice. Learning slower with proper posture and technique is far more beneficial than picking up numerous steps but executing them poorly. Take the time to refine your skills, and don’t hesitate to ask for feedback from your instructor. A solid technique will enhance your overall performance and prevent injuries in the long run.
3. Everyone Has Their Own Learning Curve
As you embark on your dance journey, understand that each dancer progresses at their own pace. Some may pick up choreography quickly, while others might take a bit longer to grasp certain movements. This variability is completely normal. Embrace your own learning curve and avoid the trap of comparing yourself to your peers.
As you continue to learn and grow, keep in mind that picking up choreography quickly does not automatically equal being a skilled dancer. You may admire your classmate’s ability to remember the whole dance from start to finish after only seeing it once, but they may be completely envious of your ability to learn the actual counts for the steps, or remember all the musical accents. Instead of keeping the score on who learns faster, focus on your growth and be patient with yourself as you develop your skills.
4. Cross-Training for Strength
One of the most beneficial things you can do to improve your dancing is to incorporate cross-training into your routine. Activities such as yoga, pilates, strength training, or even other forms of dance can enhance your physical strength, flexibility, and endurance.
This doesn’t mean that you have to exhaust yourself by doing all of these at the same time, or spend all your free time at the gym. It does, however, mean that you should get in the habit of doing other physical activities aside from dance. While dance is good exercise, it is often more demanding on your body than people tend to realize. To dance properly, and for a long time, you should work on getting your body in proper shape to keep up. Try different forms of training, one at a time, and see if it feels good and benefits your dancing. These additional workouts will not only support your dance practice but also help prevent injuries, allowing you to dance with greater ease and confidence.
5. Practice Between Classes — Correctly!
Practicing between classes is essential for reinforcing what you’ve learned, but it’s important to do so correctly. Focus on the techniques and movements your teacher taught you rather than trying to advance to more complex choreography and technique on your own. This approach will ensure you build a strong foundation and develop proper muscle memory. Consider setting aside time to practice simple drills that emphasize technique and form, and remember to be kind to yourself as you repeat these movements.
Not sure what to practice? Ask your teacher to give you some quick drills you can do on your own, or even just learn the warm-up you do in class, and go through it on your own. The goal here is to get your body to move in a controlled and technically correct way, which is guaranteed to help you go farther faster.
6. Embrace Performance Opportunities
This advice is often the most difficult for adult dancers, especially beginners to follow. But, if the chance arises to participate in performance opportunities, seize it! And before you run away screaming “Stagefright!”, consider that performing is a transformative experience that accelerates your learning. It pushes you to become hyper-aware of your strengths and weaknesses, helping you identify areas for improvement. It has the effect of pushing you past all those blocks - real and imaginary - that hold you back from dancing your best.
Getting ready for a performance shifts your focus in a way that allows you to see your dancing from a new angle. If done right (which means trusting your teacher’s guidance), it is the easiest way to advance your dancing faster. Plus, the thrill of sharing your passion for dance with an audience can be incredibly motivating. Whether it’s a recital, showcase, or informal performance, if your teacher tells you that you are ready to perform, take these opportunities to grow and learn from the experience.
Final Thoughts
As you continue your dance journey, remember that it’s about embracing your unique path, focusing on proper technique, and participating in opportunities that foster your growth. Every dancer’s experience is different, and by honoring your individual journey, you’ll find joy and fulfillment in your practice. Keep dancing, keep learning, and let your passion shine!
