Another year has flown by! There has been a big push to the end of the dancing year, with performances, exams and events. The good news is now you can take a breath again. Congratulations on pushing yourself to new limits. You are stronger, more powerful and tougher than you were 12 months ago. I bet that this time last year, you wouldn’t have guessed what you would have achieved in 2019. As the year comes to an end, you must take this time to relax and recharge, rebuild your body and mind, reflect on what a year it has been and reset for a bigger and better 2020.
Recharge
Your body has just worked really hard in performances over the last few months. These shows require short bursts of energy, which places different stressors on your body. Although you are achieving wonderful things on stage, off the stage you might start to suffer. You may have found yourself feeling sore after dancing, lacking focus, not sleeping well, your mood might be different or maybe your immune system is a little low. These are all signs that you need to recharge your batteries!
Everyone relaxes a little differently. Catch up on your favourite TV show, hang out with your friends, get to bed 30 minutes earlier each night, eat healthy nourishing foods, get outside in some sunshine and enjoy some time alone. This is the time for you!
Rebuild
If you look at many professional athletes, they engage in strengthening exercises over their ‘off-season’. They use their time to empower their bodies to be stronger, fitter and faster in preparation for their performance season. Your break doesn’t have to mean that you completely stop moving your body. Use this time to find new ways to move and create. Yoga and Pilates are interesting ways to find new connections with movement. This also will help to strengthen your body in new ways. Unfamiliar movement patterns increase strength and rebalance your body. YouTube has some wonderful video-based classes that are easy to access and are inclusive to all ages. Include 1-3 Yoga or Pilates sessions in your weekly routine and ensure you continue to stretch and work on flexibility during this time.
Reflect
It is so important to congratulate yourself on what a year 2019 has been. It becomes empowering to reflect on what achievements you have made, big or small. This process allows you to discover what, why and how you have accomplished wonderful things this year.
Ask yourself questions such as
- Who has inspired me this year?
- What is a big highlight?
- What are some things which I do well?
- What are some things that I want to improve?
- How did I improve my dancing this year?
- What am I most proud of?
These questions and reflections can apply to your life outside dancing. Reflection is a beautiful way to accept the year that was, build awareness of your actions and find thanks in all your incredible achievements.
Reset
The answer to these questions will help you to create new goals for 2020. Use what you learn from your time reflecting to understand and guide your actions to become a stronger, powerful and a healthy future dancer. Resetting your goals gives you focus and intention. This is critical to maintaining your motivation throughout the coming year. Setting small, short term goals can help you to create and achieve bigger, long term goals. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your teachers about your goals and they will be able to support your, guild you and give you the tools you need to succeed.
Steps to creating your goals for 2020
- Write each goal down in a book or piece of paper.
- Alongside this, write what steps you need to take to achieve this goal.
- Give them a time frame.
For Example: “I will be able to do a double pirouette in June 2020. I need to spend 5 minutes at the end of each ballet class practising my turns. I need to ask my teacher for help and more guidance during class”
On the 1st of every month, reflect on these goals and ask yourself if you have taken these steps to help achieve these goals. Nothing is set in stone. You can change these, add to them or even remove some. As you begin to create change, cross out or place a tick next to each one that you complete and celebrate your achievements.
I hope that all our Total Dance Australia readers have had a successful 2019. Congratulations on all your hard work and accomplishments. Dream big for 2020. There is no limit to what you can achieve.
Thanks for reading, enjoy your holidays!
Leah Van Lambaart for Total Dance Australia
@leahvanlambaart
#lovetotaldance #total_dance_aus
