Habits of Highly Successful Dancers
Do you have the habit of Instagram-stalking just about any dancer that catches your attention.
Have you ever asked yourself why they catch your attention? What makes them successful in your eyes? Well, there’s a lot of technique, habits, and commitment behind that.
Highly successful dancers:
1- Take care of their physical health.
The best dancers prioritize their physical health to improve their movement quality and keep up with rigorous dance schedules. So, here are some ways that you can do the same-
a. Working out
Follow dance fitness influencers like Carina Kanan or Karl Flores for ideas for workouts (work smarter, NOT harder) and try to stay consistent with working out 3-5 days a week, even from home!
b. Stretching
Stretch consistently, even if it’s only once a week to maintain or grow your flexibility and help with recovery after rigorous training.
c. Hydrate
There’s numerous measurements for how much water one should drink, but a good rule of thumb is to drink more water on days that you’re more active; maybe you have a baseline amount that makes you feel good and hydrated, and then you can add to that on convention or comp days.
2- Take care of their mental health
There’s been a recent increase in mindset and mental health talks around dance lately, as is evident on social media and the way certain dance or convention teachers approach teaching class. So, it’s no surprise that successful dancers also take care of and grow their mindset.
a. Reflecting
Reflecting is such a powerful practice that puts you hours and weeks ahead of your peers- the ability to recognize what works and doesn’t work and growing from that. Simply journal or reflect after conventions, comps., or even certain classes whenever you feel like it!
b. Take a break
Yes, you can take a break from dance! There’s no point in running on the hamster wheel of dancing if you aren’t actually dancing- feeling the movement, excitement, and all the other emotions. The best dancers know when they need a break and take it.
3- Employ the best dance class habits
The best dancers also take class a certain way. You might have noticed this as well- from the little things like dancing in the back or side for more room rather than hogging the front, trying something different each time they go out for groups, always freestyling, etc. But, there’s more to it than that-
a. Staying present
Another thing dance teachers tell us so, so often- stay present; leave your baggage at the door; be aware. All that means is don’t let your mind wander- focus on the piece of choreography or training in front of you and work on it- fine tune it, perfect it, do whatever you need to.
b. Regularly choreographing or freestyling
The best habit for last, so if you’ve made it this far, you’ll actually be far, far ahead from your peers. Whenever you watch a dancer, it’s the freestyle before and after that really draws you in. In fact, that’s what secures most dancers commercial or industry jobs in auditions. But, more than that, it’s what dance is about- self-expression. Are you really a confident dancer if you can’t dance your way through your feelings or just mess around and create some choreography for fun? This habit is also how highly successful dancers often become highly successful choreographers.
How to act on this
Download the Habit Tracker or Goal Growth Guide from DanceVibes to actually create a plan to act on this
Post choreography on your Instagram/socials regularly, even if it isn’t perfect- don’t forget to tag DanceVibes if you do!
Get into a simple workout or stretching routine
Reflect on dance comps or conventions, particularly during the breaks at those events to see more growth