How to improve in dance
5 Simple Daily Practices To Improve Your Dancing
Finding time to improve your dance skills can be really, really tough.
You may want to become a better dancer, but how can you fit 1-2 hours of dance class between work, school, a social life, and EVERYTHING else!?
Even if you can't make it to class, you can still improve your dance skills with a few simple, daily practices.
Just follow these tips to keep leveling up, every. Single. Day.
One of the best ways to start your day is with a morning stretch!
Stretching will help you improve your dancing by making you more flexible and increasing your range of motion.
It will also reduce the risk of injuries like pulled muscles.
Your routine doesn’t have to be long or intense – you just have to get your body moving.
Watch this video to learn how to (and how not to) stretch!
We also have a quick and easy stretching class you can take on STEEZY Studio!
"Muscle memory" is the ability to execute a movement without having to think about it.
You can practice muscle memory by doing doing the same technique, skill, or routine over and over again.
For example, if you want to practice certain things like isolation or hitting, take breaks during work or studying to do some drills.
Repetition will help your body remember moves and choreography, so that with enough practice, you will be able to do them automatically.
And on that note...
Have you ever watched someone do a routine they learned 5 years ago, and they do it flawlessly, like they just learned it yesterday?
It's because they didn't stop practicing when the class was over! Review pieces you’ve learned to keep them fresh in your mind.
This conditions your brain to consistently think about body placement.
Chances are, dance videos are probably what got you into the dance in the first place.
Watching is not the same as doing, but it can be just as valuable as practice.
If you watch a video with the intent to learn from it, you'll still grow as a dancer.
As you watch, think about the connections between the movements, how the choreographer interpreted certain sounds, their performance, the execution, etc.
Not sure where to start? You can always check out STEEZY's channel for the newest videos by top choreographers!
This one’s hard – I mean, who wants to give up hot cheetos and peach rings?
But poor eating habits can be detrimental when you really want to improve your dancing.
Plan your day ahead and pack some fruits or veggies. Or throw a granola bar in your bag if you’re on the go.
Junk food can give you quick bursts of energy, but will ultimately make you feel weighed down.
Healthier foods energize you more sustainably, and good eating habits will lead to better health in the long run.
That means, your body will be able to dance longer, stronger, and better!
If you can’t set aside time for a traditional class, try taking a class online with STEEZY Studio!
Each class is broken into bite-sized sections that you can take anytime, anywhere, at your own pace.
You can improve your dance skills by taking shorter classes that focus on fundamentals, or learn a whole piece by working on it, little by little, every day.
Want to see how it works? This explains it all:
5 Ways to Improve Your Dance Technique this Year
1 March3018August 14, 2022
5 Ways to Improve Your Dance Technique this Year
How to Improve Your Dance Technique
If you’re looking to improve your dance technique in 2018, there are several factors to explore.
First, congratulations on taking the first step! Often times the hardest part of setting a new goal is getting started. You’re off to a great start by doing your research. Next, it’s important to remember that significant progress takes time and won’t happen overnight. Improvement takes daily, or at minimum, weekly practice. Consistency is key! Whether you’re a beginner dancer or you’ve been dancing for several years, consider the following tips to improve your dance technique this year.
1. Stretch daily
Although it may seem elementary, it’s important to remember to stretch every day to improve your dance technique. Your stretching routine doesn’t need to be long or overly complicated, however “the simple act of getting up and getting your body moving is a great way to jump start the day. Stretching will help you improve your dancing by making you more flexible and increasing your range of motion. It will also reduce the risk of injuries like pulled muscles (Steezy, 2017).
Here are a few things to avoid when stretching, via DanceTeacher:
- Avoid trying to progress too quickly in your stretching, which can strain or sprain ligaments, tendons or muscles. Dancers need to gradually increase stress on muscles so they have time to adapt.
- Warming up properly before stretching is essential. If you’re stretching a cold muscle, or stretching for so long that muscles get cold, you actually end up stretching the joint instead.
- Perhaps most importantly, strength building should go hand in hand with stretching. Focusing on strength can benefit your functional flexibility more than anything else.
Explore “Stretching For Dancers” below for some worth-while tips:
2. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself!
Improving your dance technique can include exploring new types of dance, trying different routines and pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone (safely, of course).
Ask your dance instructor about other types of dance offered at your studio, that you haven’t tried before. Then, make a point to sit in on a class and observe.
If you’re not interested in exploring new types of dance, then review pieces you’ve learned before and make a point to re-master them. “Do you ever play a set from 5 years ago during practice, and watch someone do it flawlessly, like they just learned it yesterday?… (That can be you) if you just practice!” (Steezy, 2017). Condition yourself not to stop practicing or learning, long after a performance or routine is through.
3. Tell yourself you can do it
Never discount the power of positive thinking! “Negative thoughts are only going to bring you down, literally” (rockettes, 2018). Learning new techniques, a different style of dance, or even committing to perfect your stretching can all seem super intimidating. Remember to give yourself credit for wanting to improve- starting is always the hardest part when trying to achieve a new goal! Try telling yourself “I can do this,” out loud, before trying your new activity.
Over time, the simple act of declaring confidence in yourself will begin to convince your inner critic. You’ve got this!
4. Videotape yourself dancing
Are you super clear on specific elements of your dance technique that you want to improve? If not, videotaping yourself dancing is a great way to start. Ask your dance instructor, a friend or a family member to capture you practicing a particular routine so you’re able to review your performance. By watching yourself dance, it will become much clearer which areas need improvement. Don’t be afraid to ask your dance instructor to watch the video with you as well. It may be helpful to hear their expert opinion on the areas you should focus on to improve.
5. Ask Your Teacher for Help
Your dance instructor is invested in your success as a dancer. They’re committed to helping you achieve whatever your specific dance goals may be, from improved flexibility to learning a new, rigorous routine.
Don’t hesitate to ask them for help when it comes to going after a new goal.
“Instead of just going to class, dancing and going home, get help from others to improve your dance technique… Ask an instructor to give you all the corrections possible and learn from your mistakes. You will always be improving your dance technique so why not use all of the sources possible to do so? It doesn’t cost anything to watch and get help from others. But by taking the time to do so, you can see significant improvements in your dancing fast!” (Dance Full Out, 2012).
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Motivation for dancers | Useful articles and tips from the 🕺dance studio - Under Stand (Anderstend)💃 in Voronezh.
Speaking about motivation, that is, the desire to dance and improve in them, you need to understand that the coach really does most of the work in this regard. But, since each person is responsible for the results of his work, in no case should you shift the responsibility to the coach, who, “has not learned how to motivate you properly.
” Let's try to consider options for how you can regularly increase motivation on your own.
Laziness
Winter day, terribly cold and snowing outside. Yes, in this weather you do not want to go anywhere. And instead of having a good sweat in the hall, many choose a passive position: they are lazy, stay under the covers and watch a movie (even if it’s about dancing!). This is because their motivation is not strong enough.
Uncertainty
People can lose motivation very quickly if they feel they are not doing something well or not doing it well enough. Failure makes us vulnerable, and if you do not learn to perceive them correctly, then the uncertainty that you can succeed will grow and grow. Then everything is very simple, the thought “why should I go to the dance if I still can’t do it?”
So, first of all, we must learn to enjoy, not only when we managed to dance the composition equally with everyone or when the coach praised it, but simply from the training process itself, from the dance and ourselves in it.
Then you need to learn to calmly accept difficulties. Yes, sometimes the mood is “not a fountain”, sometimes you feel “like on ice”, and the other student has faster speed and better hips. But it happens in life, dancing, like any other process, cannot do without pitfalls! Only when you really don’t want to go to training, but you go, overpowering yourself, you understand what a right decision it was. Because nothing motivates like a feeling of your own willpower!
Setting goals and objectives
Many go to dances out of boredom or for no tangible reason at all. Of course, in this case, a person will be able to attend classes only occasionally, and the result will be as limited as the efforts made. Therefore, it would be good to set realistic goals for yourself. Why do you want to dance? If for health and a slim figure, then you can’t skip classes - regularity is important in this. If for participation in competitions and victories - the same thing, you should not think that one missed lesson does not solve anything.
Each lesson is important, because it is another hour spent working on your body. As long as you let laziness or disorganization control you, other dancers keep practicing and getting better!
In our time of endless possibilities, it is difficult to be collected and persistent, it is difficult to choose one single path from a multitude of interesting activities. But only through work on yourself can you achieve anything. If you really don’t like dancing, just find yourself another activity, and if you like it, overpower yourself every time fear of failure, doubt or laziness wants to lead you astray. Hands to feet - and go to the workout!
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The Five Difficulties of the Beginning Dancer - Part 1
When I started dancing, I looked forward to the days of classes. I lived two hours from Spicy School. The trip took the whole weekend, but the desire to dance did not disappear. Despite the time of year, workload and fatigue, on Saturday and Sunday I was in a hurry to dance.
Of course, not everything was always rosy and smooth. At the beginning of the journey, I met the difficulties that most beginners face. This is the fear of parties, the inability to follow a partner, criticism from the teacher or partner, difficulty in performing new elements.
I did some of the things on this list, and I'm still working on some of them. Perhaps this article will help you overcome difficulties more easily and step up a notch.
I'm afraid to go to parties
A month after the start of classes, our teachers began to invite us to parties. I saw that the old people constantly go to the Tsurzum cafe or Gorky Park. But she didn’t dare to go herself, because she was uncomfortable and scared alone.
One day after class, I got into a conversation with the girls in the locker room and asked them to take me to a party with them. Since then, almost every Saturday I went to Zurzum. I met guys from different groups, we united and went to dance together.
The guys tried to invite all the Spicy girls they knew to practice. Children from other dance schools were also invited.
Of course, it was a way out of the comfort zone. Sometimes the partner could even stop if he lost his way. I did not always understand what they wanted to lead me to and was nervous about it.
But along with the fear, I felt that real life happens at parties. You begin to feel a partner, exchange emotions, rejoice that you are dancing without any rehearsals and agreements. You seem to be floating in a stream of music and dance. It's great.
“It's very important to get over your fear and just start going to parties. The first time is the hardest, but after that it gets easier and easier. I've watched newbies sit around the bar all evening or in a corner somewhere just watching everyone dance. The main thing here is not to be shy and to come up and invite to the dance. This is normal in social dancing. Otherwise, you’ll be sitting around like this all evening.
”
Anton Gorchakov
Spicy Salsa dance school teacher
“Thoughts that some movements look ugly ruin all the fun of dancing. Try to relax. Relaxation will make you feel more confident. Movements will be obtained automatically. Natural movement looks more organic and beautiful than when you try to dance exactly the way your teachers taught you. Swim as you dance."
Anna Matveenkova
Spicy Salsa dance school teacher
Parties are a serious work on yourself, but it's worth it. Overcome your fear and go to the next weekend for a party. Yes, it will be scary. But you will feel a big leap in dance development and enthusiasm to continue dancing.
I can't let go of control and follow my partner
Dancers work out certain combinations of movements in class. And both partners know what will happen in the next moment. Therefore, the partner often simply performs the learned movements instead of following the impulse.
How can you learn to let go of control?
“Why is there a misunderstanding about where the partner will lead? Because the partner is in the "Guess-ka" mode. This is the main mistake. To overcome this, you need to go to parties and practice more often. ”
Anton Gorchakov
Spicy Salsa dance school teacher
“The problem is that the partner needs to relax. It is not simple. You have to learn to trust your partner. I took a deep breath, exhaled and gave freedom to my partner in the lead. But when we give freedom to a novice partner, we make life easier for him. Children become more confident and learn faster.”
Anna Matveenkova
Spicy Salsa dance school teacher
Once again we came to the conclusion that parties are everything. Classes are needed to practice movements. And only in conditions of improvisation and freedom will you learn to truly follow the lead of your partner.
Partners and teachers criticize me
During the dance, some partners allow themselves to make a not very pleasant comment.
From the series: "Have you been exercising lately?" or “Hi, steering wheel!”. From the side of the teacher, too, can "fly". In such situations, you want one thing: to quit classes.
“I would send a partner who criticizes me because it is unethical and ugly. A good partner will not point out mistakes. This is an absolutely normal thing, even professionals make mistakes. A competent partner will try again to make a failed movement, perhaps a little softer or more persistent, so that you are more comfortable understanding the element.
Anna Matveenkova
Teacher of the Spicy Salsa dance school
Criticism of the teacher is expressed in different forms. Of course, if the criticism is harsh and impartial, then I would doubt the competence of the teacher. But when the coach explains to you that this is a mistake, it’s better to do it this way, then you shouldn’t close and worry. Teachers do this not out of spite, but to help you grow and improve.
Bachata and salsa movements are difficult
At first you get used to the rhythm of salsa and bachata, to the basic steps. Something new can lead to a stupor. But over time, you realize that all other movements, chips are superimposed on the base.
During bachata lessons, Anton used to say: “In any incomprehensible situation, step base”, and in salsa: “on the count of times, take a step back”.
“It is important to keep the sequence of steps. If you dance bachata, then these are three steps and a period. And all directions and turns are for the partner. It is very useful to work out the base. The more you work on the base, the faster the learning process goes. Do not try to quickly learn a lot of new figures. The key to success is in working out the foundation.”
Anton Gorchakov
Spicy Salsa dance school teacher
“Each dancer has his own pace of learning.
Don't try to artificially increase the pace. For someone everything is given the first time, someone needs to dance several times, and someone for a very long time. The most important thing is not to give up. I know a girl who has been attending classes for over three years. It is very difficult for her. She has uncoordination, but at the same time she always attends lessons (pairs and solo) and she has progress. This commands great respect. I would not be upset because the training is slow. You have to understand that you need more time. And that's okay. Don't stress yourself out because someone else is going faster."
Anna Matveenkova
Spicy Salsa dance school teacher
Watch yourself: do you manage to grasp the choreography quickly? If not, then accept that you need more attempts to master the movement. Do not compare yourself with others and praise for new victories!
I go astray if an experienced partner
led me to something new
During parties, I was always ashamed if a partner led me to an unknown movement, and I did not react.
I worried about what he would think of me. Now in this case, I smile and ask my partner to repeat the movement again, because I myself am interested in mastering it.
“It's okay if you don't fall for a figure you don't know. Thousands of new shapes and elements appear in bachata. If you don't know them, you won't go to them. You don't have to know all the shapes. The partner needs to adequately assess the capabilities of the girl. For example, if the partner is a beginner, then you should not throw her into some difficult lifts and unimaginable waves. A competent partner will not make a girl nervous, forcing her to go for an element that is too difficult for her, for which she is not ready.
Anna Matveenkova
Spicy Salsa dance school teacher
Dancing gives us the opportunity to be ourselves and "dance ourselves". We express feelings through dance, shake off the burden of everyday work. Yes, it can be difficult and uncomfortable. But time and practice will pay off.
