Dance’s competitive aspect is apparent. Whether you’re a competitive dancer or looking for your next professional career, you’ll face competition, and that means stress. To achieve success and perform at your best, it is critical to promote balance and well-being in dance.
You must have procedures in place to deal with the stress of your dance endeavours. Consider your mentality and habits in the areas of diet, body image, dancing progress, and lifestyle to make practical changes. These components are all necessary for peak performance. They are essential components of dancer wellness.
It may be easy to convince yourself that the only thing that matters when you’re in the studio is the work you put in.
The truth is that taking care of yourself outside of the studio and prioritising your health — both mentally and physically — will make you more resilient in dance.
The mentality is how you approach each of these areas.
Are you putting them first? Do you value eating properly, perceiving yourself positively, being ambitious and realistic in your progress, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle?
Belief in yourself is a vital component of a successful attitude.
“If you think of people that constantly win, you would say, ‘Well, they win all the time because they want to win, right?” says sports psychologist Stan Beecham. They want it.’ The reality is that this is not the case. People that win and succeed at a high level do not consider themselves to be winners. They simply believe they will succeed.”
Let’s break these pieces down…
Food: The Mindset
Belief in yourself is a vital component of a successful attitude.
“If you think of people that constantly win, you would say, ‘Well, they win all the time because they want to win, right?” says sports psychologist Stan Beecham. They want it.’ The reality is that this is not the case. People that win and succeed at a high level do not consider themselves to be winners. They simply believe they will succeed.”
You may also get into the trap of believing that all delicious food is tasteless and bland. Delicious healthy meals are essential. When you think of all the food you consume as food, fuel, and something you should enjoy, you’ll develop a more positive attitude about food.
Food: The Practice
It is critical to consider how your day will unfold when developing a dietary plan. When do you take your breaks? How many hours do you plan to spend in class, rehearsals, or cross-training?
Then consider how you’ll receive plenty of vitamins and minerals; consume a variety of colourful meals. Consume plenty of greens, fruits, and colourful vegetables — these are disease-fighting and health-promoting nutrients.
Finally, consider what balance means to you. Avoiding items that bring you an absolute joy, such as cake, cookies, and desserts, will not help you feel balanced in your relationship with food. How will you combine such meals so that you can enjoy them guilt-free?
Body: The Mindset
When you look in the mirror as a dancer, your natural reaction is to point out what is wrong. What can you do better? How do you improve your physique while hinting that it isn’t as good as it could or should be?
To be a confident dancer, you must accept and embrace your body exactly as it is. Your body type is rather consistent. Yes, you may make changes, but some things are set in stone. When you reach a point of self-acceptance, you will become a more confident person and dancer.
Try to watch your dancing without pulling your body apart. You can dance brilliantly and to your full capacity even if you have larger thighs, calves, arms, or a butt. When you concentrate on your abilities rather than your body parts, you will improve faster and gain confidence.
Body: The Practice
It takes time to develop positive self-talk and a positive body image. Whatever messages you continually repeat for yourself are the ones you will begin to believe. Look in the mirror and tell yourself that you are sufficient. You have one-of-a-kind abilities. Dance is something you can master.
Outside of the class, pamper your body with massage, foam rolling, Epsom salt baths, supporting cross-training, and health and nutrition advice.
Progress: The Mindset
It’s critical to think of your dance progress as a journey. There will be high points and down points. There will be moments when things are easier and other times when you face a harder difficulty.
Successful people are believed to be successful not because things come easier to them, but because of how they respond to setbacks or perceived failures.
Progress: The Practice
Do you write down your goals and keep track of your adjustments, technique, and choreography? Have you formed a vision for your life and dancing, and considered where you want it all to lead you?
When you dream and visualise a greater goal for yourself, you are more likely to achieve it. Rather than aiming for perfection, consider setting goals that prioritise regular development.
Lifestyle: The Mindset
Your ability to perform in the studio is directly related to how you create your life outside of the studio. If your life outside of dance is chaotic and lacks organisation, you will most likely lack the attention and determination required to achieve.
It is advantageous to have a life outside of dance to cultivate relationships and experiences that can nourish your dancing. You’ll offer so much more to the parts and choreography you perform if you have more breadth and depth.
Lifestyle: The Practice
Support your dancing by doing things outside of dance, but don’t forget to allow yourself time away from dance. How do you communicate with your soul? How can you achieve peace and serenity in your own house or outside?