Things Dancers Stress About

Tonight I am going to write about some of the things dancers worry about and determine if it's "worth it" or not to allow that anxiety into your body.


​Comparing Yourself to Others: It is natural to look at other dancers and wish you could jump, turn, bend or move like them. But being envious can actually ruin your own dancing. Remember, you are not in their body, you are in your body. Try not worry about what other dancers are able to do. Focus the energy you're using to look at other dancers on your own dancing. Each day try to push yourself a little further.
Audition/Performance Stress: You may not "feel ready" for a performance but that's anxiety talking and trying to bring you down. Stop that thinking right away and start transfering it into positive thoughts of focus. Try doing some breathing exercises to clear your mind. Don't stress! You have worked hard and you can do it.
Trying to Impress Others: We often do things to try to make other people happy. It could be a teacher, parent, friend or classmate. When it comes to dance we might try a little harder because we know dad is watching the class on the tv tonight....or grandma is here to observe the class...But most beautiful dancers are the ones who dance for themselves. I remember a judge commenting at a competition last season saying how the dancer had great technique and it was fantastic choreography but the dancer looked like they were having fun and "lived it" It was fun to watch them dance and you wanted to watch more.
Scheduling Stress:  It's difficult to juggle school, homework, dance and for some of us a part-time job. To lessen this stress, you have to stay organized and in control. Buy a calendar so that you can clearly mark when your assignments/homework are due. The more detailed you are on paper, the less you have to remember in your brain (save that room for choreography). I found if you have a routine and stick to it, life becomes a whole lot easier.
Remembering Choreography and/or Technique: Dancers are required to recall a lot of information. They have to remember how and when to jump, turn & plié... the choreography and the counts. It can be a lot to take in. One way to alleviate anxiety is to keep a dance notebook or video. If you have a cell phone ask someone to tape the run through so you can watch it again later. Often when practicing at home, I forget the next move...it is great to be able to go back and look at a video. It also helps to watch the video in your spare time to see what you need to improve on. Sometimes you feel like a move looks better than it is. I have watched some videos and realized that my shoulders are rising when I jump or my foot is not turned out enough.

"I do not try to dance better then anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself"- 
Mikhail Baryshnikov

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