Learning to dance is a process that helps you improve in all aspects of your life. But sometimes it is difficult to start and other times it is difficult to maintain activity and be constant on this path. That's why here I share some tips to dance freer and better without losing motivation.
1) Give you permission to dance
The first step in learning to dance is an internal action. Maybe you always wanted to dance, but you don't dare to sign up for a dance class for fear of making a fool of yourself. Breathe deeply and connect with your soul, smile inside, and tell that inner part of you that is afraid: "I give you permission to learn to dance." And then, take the first step without demanding yourself.
2) Finding the ideal class and teacher (or teacher) for you
The dance of your choice should be a type of expression that fascinates you and makes you feel happy. If you always imagined yourself dancing the tango, then that is your dance. If your feet can't resist moving when listening to Latin music, then salsa is your thing. If you want to exercise but doing gymnastics bores you and you love upbeat music, then Zumba is probably a good choice. A dance that allows you to express your true self is going to be the most beneficial for your self-esteem. On the other hand, a good dance teacher not only teaches dance steps and technique, but is also a person who supports your learning with positivity, patience, respect, advice, and enthusiasm. It is someone who supports you to discover and release your inner dancer or dancer. Take time to find the teacher that best suits your needs, personality, and preferences. If you are in a dance class where you don't feel support to grow, find another class.
3) Follow the advice of your dance teachers
Take advantage of their guidance and knowledge. Listen carefully to his advice, trust what he tells you, and try to remember it in the following classes to gradually incorporate it. Do not get defensive if they correct you, on the contrary, pay attention and ask how you can improve. If for some reason you feel that you cannot trust your teacher, then you may want to find another teacher who inspires you with confidence.
4) Dance in an environment that celebrates all body types
A good vibes atmosphere among the students is key! In this way, they support and help each other in the learning process between you. If you are in a class that is governed by criticism, negative comments, and envy… I ran out of there and look for another place that is healthier for you!
5) Observe carefully the dancers who inspire you
By looking closely we can learn a lot. Nowadays, with YouTube and the Internet, it is very easy to access dance videos and movies, of different styles and from anywhere in the world. See what you like about the dancers, see how they maintain their posture and balance. Pay attention to how they transition between different movements, rhythms, states, and energies… And if you discover something specific that you liked, try it the next time you are in a class or dancing anywhere. If you are going to see dance or musical comedy, you have the opportunity to observe these little things live and direct, and it is also a program!
6) Have healthy habits and relax
Your body is your instrument, for dancing and for almost everything you do! To function better our body needs rest, good nutrition, drink plenty of water, and relaxation every so often to renew itself and move on. The first step to dancing with fluidity and grace is to free your body from habitual tensions. These normally obstruct the fluidity of the movements and limit the possibilities of moving. Stress, worries, a busy life, negative emotions, and thoughts affect your body and its ability to dance in harmony. When you have too much stress your mind loses focus, it becomes more difficult for you to remember movements and steps, maintain coordination and balance, and express your creativity. Muscle tensions limit your mobility, flexibility, and expressiveness. To rid your body of these effects, incorporate some relaxation discipline into your life. It can be yoga, elongation/stretching, meditation, massages, immersion baths, some exercise to breathe, or some to stretch the neck, which is the typical area where we load our stress. (Note that in a few weeks I will upload a video to stretch my neck and relax in a few minutes).
7) Respect your body at all times
Listen to your body when you are learning new dance moves and steps. Respect your physical limits. Don't overdo it by stretching your muscles beyond their capacity or trying to do movements your body isn't ready for yet. Work with your body, not against your body. This respect for your body is a key aspect to improve self-esteem. If you want to achieve more flexibility, start practicing exercises to achieve it in a gradual and loving way, with perseverance and discipline. It is also essential that you take care of your body by doing warm-up exercises before you start dancing. Your muscles and joints need preparation to start moving fluently. If you don't prepare your body to dance, you won't have the full capacity of your body at your disposal and you run the risk of hurting yourself.
8) Celebrate your achievements and eliminate negative and critical thoughts
Free yourself from complexes and self-criticism that make you lose concentration. Don't mistreat yourself by having negative thoughts about your body. If you say to yourself: "It doesn't come out", "I can't", "I'm made of wood" , then ... Your body will listen to you and you will do anything! But if you change those thoughts to: “Come on, today I get it”, “OK. I still couldn't, but I'll be able to "or" In the end, I dance better than I thought "then your body will believe you and will start dancing more easily. The mind has a lot of power over what you can or cannot do when dancing. If you constantly criticize yourself, those thoughts will be reflected with tensions and inharmonious gestures that interrupt your flow and steal your grace. Train your mind so it doesn't interfere with your dance with negative thoughts. Don't criticize your body or your physical appearance while you are dancing or looking in the mirror. It is essential that you recognize your progress, no matter how small you think they are. If you constantly focus on your weaknesses and don't celebrate your strengths, then you run the risk of losing motivation. And that would be fatal for your growth. I recognized for yourself what you learn or achieve in each dance class and rehearsal.
9) Don't compare yourself to your classmates
Each student has a different learning pace. Each person has their strengths and weaknesses. Don't waste time feeling less than your classmates because they seem to advance more…. Focus on what you learn in each class and celebrate each of your accomplishments, no matter how small. If you have classmates who are good dancers, be inspired by them, observe them, copy some way of moving that you like. Maybe they can give you a tip to learn to dance in an easier way.
10) Do not give too much importance to what they will say
Don't worry about what others think of you and your dance. Do not define your level of satisfaction with the approval of other people. You focus on your inner development, understanding that there are days when you dance better than others, that dance is a process and that mistakes are opportunities to grow and learn more.
11) Enjoy every minute
Learning to dance is a long way. Don't focus too much on the results. Enjoy the present moment, the delight of dancing in every step and movement, feel it in the here and now, in your bones, in your muscles, in your breath. Once you've learned the choreography, don't think about the next move or the last move. Learning a choreography requires a bit of memory and effort, but don't let yourself be overwhelmed by difficulties and challenges. Put your attention on the pleasant sensations that dance awakens in you. Savor every movement, every step, listen to music and connect with the rhythm and melody.
12) Practice at home
All learning processes need practice and study. Take advantage of some time a week to rehearse what you learn in your dance class. In these practices, you will strengthen your skills. You are also going to realize what needs attention and what is still confusing. Then you will know what aspects you have to focus on in the next class. If you think you don't have time to practice, a good idea is to film the choreography with your cell phone and at some point before going back to class, watch it to remember it better and get rid of the memory part, to start dancing and not think too much.
There are many more things to take into account when dancing, but to begin with, I think it is important to love ourselves, take care of ourselves, respect ourselves and ENJOY!