Is your dancer setting goals this new year? We’re here to help with some new year’s resolutions for dancers of all ages and levels. Even non-dancers would benefit from many of these ideas! We would love for your dancer to share their “Dance Dance Resolution” with their teacher on their first day back at the studio!
Take care of your body. It seems simple, but it’s something that many of us overlook. Your body tells you what it needs so drink when you’re thirsty, eat when you’re hungry, and sleep when you’re tired. Focus on getting lots of water, loading up and fruits and veggies along with protein, and avoiding foods and drinks that don’t actually provide nutrition or energy.
Stretch and move outside of class. Set aside time at least a few days each week to warm up your body, stretch your muscles, and practice your routine(s). But don’t limit yourself to just dance! All exercise is beneficial — go for a walk with your family, run around on the playground during recess, and shovel the driveway (once we have snow again).
Try something new. Maybe it’s that tumbling skill that seems a little scary, or maybe it’s a more challenging turn that you don’t think you can do just yet. You’ll never know if you don’t try! Remember that everyone has to start off by being bad at something before they’re good at it.
Focus on being your best you. It’s easy to get wrapped up in comparing ourselves to others, but everyone has different strengths, so celebrate your successes, whenever and however they may come. Those dancers you admire? Don’t compare, collaborate! If they’ve nailed a skill that you’re working on, ask them for any tips they have to share. You might find out that there’s something you’re doing that they really admire as well!
Make a new friend. Do you know the names of everyone in your classes? What do you know about each of them? Is there anyone who doesn’t seem to have a friend in the class? Make it your mission to get to know a different classmate each week, or to be that friend for the student who doesn’t know many people and might be too shy to reach out.
Be someone else’s cheerleader. You know that warm fuzzy feeling you get when someone recognizes you for something awesome you did? Be the person who sends that positive energy out into the world! Shower your classmates with encouragement when they need it, compliments when they do something well, and congratulations when they’ve achieved something hard they’ve been working on. Be the cheerleader you’d want on your sidelines!
This article was originally published in our January 2024 newsletter.