Why does dance matter?

This week, bloggers and dancers all over are responding to the question, Why Dance Matters, which was first posed by Nichelle at Dance Advantage (one of my fave blogs if you don't already know that!).

I've been checking out everyone's inspiring, thought-provoking, funny and humble posts at the Facebook page (link here).  Please consider adding your own personal voice to the page and share with dancers and dance lovers everywhere your reason why dance matters to you.

There is the metaphysical: one of the things I see referenced often is that dance is a reflection of a person's soul.  It allows the individual to expose their own inner being to the world at large through their physical movement.  I also love the comments about how dance saved some of them when their darkest hour was at hand.  Some are parents writing about the necessity of dance in their children's lives to boost their self-esteem, to help them deal with tough times and tragedies, or to simply express their own joy of life through creative movement.

And there is the physical: Endorphins are released from your brain every time you move, making you feel good, soothing your aches and pains. Dance can help keep your muscles toned and shapely, so you look good as well. It can help control diabetes and weight gain. And dancing to music helps brains develop too, especially those of young people. For older students, dance is good for their bones and is a form of exercise that is easier on their joints than something like running, not to mention the memorization of combinations helps delay senility.

Lots of good stuff in dance.  So why do I think dance matters in this day and age? When there are so many other things that take up our time and focus, dance is but a small blip. As my husband likes to remind me, dancers are few in this world and of them, ballet dancers even fewer.  Although my life revolves around it, why should others?

Dance is both bigger and smaller than you.  Dance transcends age and ability. It can be a stage performance by ABT or it can be your child in your backyard.  It is the creative expression of things that are far beyond your comprehension and it is also a small story you want to tell your loved ones. When I dance, I know that I am a part of something that has its roots in history and when I teach, I am honored to be passing on that history.I love that dance changes with each of us and yet I love that it spans continents without change. 

Yes, dance has something to offer all of us but most of all, we have something to offer dance.  Every one of us has a gift that can enhance the art form of dance.  There is beauty in every one of us who dances.

Ballet burnout

Burnout can happen to anyone at any level at any time. Even to me after (mumble, mumble) years of dancing!

As an instructor, I have seen burnout countless times, especially among students who begin ballet as adults.  As much as I love seeing passion in new students, the possibility of them flaming out quickly is very high.  This occurs for a number of reasons:

FRUSTRATION - Ballet is not easy.  I mean, not AT ALL. I know the general public thinks it's hard but it's even harder than that.  When a new student starts class, they often learn exponentially in the first couple of weeks and that's because they knew absolutely nothing so they improve monumentally (usually). But after a month or so, things start getting harder and that's when frustration and dropout happen.

PAIN - Ballet is a constant fight against what your body wants to do.  99% of the world's population does not have naturally-gifted turnout. Making your legs do things in a non-parallel position comes with certain discomfort and that discomfort is, well, uncomfortable.  Most people also don't rise up on their toes a lot (unless they wear high heels!) so calves get tight and sometimes painful. There is, admittedly, some pain involved in dance at all levels - and most people who have danced their whole lives have learned to live with it.  If you aren't prepared for that, any pain will send you to the couch instead of class.

LACK OF SUPPORT - Face it, ballet is of real interest to a very small number of people.  Although millions watch the dance shows on television, a fraction of a percentage point actually pursue it on their own and fewer still stick with it.  When you don't have friends who dance, it can be lonely.  You have to be the one to push yourself to get to class.  You have to be the one to pencil in the time.  You have to be the one to encourage yourself to keep going.  Of course I'm there too but I'm not at your house, urging you to dress and hurry to class. It's more likely than not that you don't have lots of friends who take ballet so that puts a lot of pressure on you to be disciplined and get to class, rather than join happy hour after work or a book club on Saturday mornings.

So if you feel yourself on the verge of burnout, what can you do?

1. Recognize that it's probably temporary. Often people reached plateaus in their technique and assume this is as far as they are going to get and that they won't improve at all.  Not true.  NEVER true.  At least not as far as I'm concerned.  A plateau is a temporary thing and if you push through and allow yourself to be patient and find the thing that will get you to the next level, you'll feel a true sense of accomplishment.

2. Create a goal for your dance technique and focus on that for a period of time. Burnout can happen when you feel like you're doing everything over and over again and not progressing (there's that plateau again!).  So choose one thing to work on - pirouettes en dehors, batterie, performance - and that can help you through the down time.

3. Reduce the number of classes you're taking.  If you're dancing every day, you may be expecting a lot from yourself.  Keep in mind that professional dancers take one day off per week! Give yourself a little more time between classes so you can adjust your expectations per class.

4. Take a complete break from dance, from ballet, or from your studio. If you feel like you've exhausted yourself and burnout is inevitable, let it happen.  Don't feel like you've let yourself or your teacher down. It's important to recharge your internal batteries and regain your perspective.  Rediscover your love of ballet when you're away from it and then return newly-energized.

Remember that ballet is different for everyone.  The reasons for keeping it in one's life are as varied as the individuals themselves.  For me, dance has always been a part of my life from the time I was a small child.  Take a moment to understand what place is has in your life before you abandon it.

Happy dancing~

Flip-flopping on Flip-flops!

I am a big fan of sandals but this article from Dance Magazine has changed my mind:

 

Flip-Flop Flaws

Think twice before sliding on your favorite flip-flops this summer: They might be hurting your feet. Recent studies have shown that flip-flops can lead to tendonitis and other overuse problems. "Flip-flops don't allow the foot adequate time to rest and recover from a long day of training," says says Jenna Marchitello, a physical therapist who works with Washington Ballet dancers at in Arlington, Virginia. She suggests wearing shoes with good arch support, like sneakers, instead, and doing these exercises to strengthen your arches:

• In a seated position, lift one toe at a time off the floor, beginning with the big toe. Hold for 5 seconds each toe. 
• Spread your toes apart, holding 5-10 seconds before relaxing.
• Pick up marbles with your toes, holding for 5 seconds before gently releasing.

(from Dance Magazine)