Top 10 Things You Should Know Before Becoming A Dancer (And Which I Learned The Hard Way)

“Dance from your heart and let your passion shine through.” – The Dance Mum (October 14, 2016)

Dance can be wonderful. I started around seven years ago, and highly recommend it, whether as a form of exercise, creativity, sport or art.  If you are thinking about trying out dance, here are some top 10 tips, which I have learned over the years. 

Yes, this is a bit off-topic for this blog, after all it is a food blog.  But, sometimes I just want to share my other passions.  For me, dance has been my one of my biggest passions since 8th grade – both a form of exercise, and a creative outlet. It has absolutely changed my life and makes me so happy.  So without further introduction, and in no particular order, here are my Top 10 things you should know when starting out in dance:

1.  Passion is Important, and You will know quickly whether you have a passion for dance.

It is easier to excel in anything if you have PASSION, as that gives a desire and motivation to excel.  But how can you know if you have that passion for dance? When I started dancing, I knew it within about a month.  I was not very good, but I knew that this was not just some hobby that would pass. Instead, I felt it was special for me and could help me grow in so many different ways. I thought about it a lot and talked to my friends and family about it, whenever I had a chance. My love for the sport has only grown. I have always been a believer in doing what you are passionate about.

2.  Stretch, Stretch, and More Stretch.

In dance often you are moving your body in ways it should not be moved. There are plenty of ways you could get injured if you are not careful.  I learned the hard way that stretching is the best thing you can do to avoid those painful sprains and muscle pulls.  I MEAN stretch A LOT, as I cannot stress enough how important it is. While stretching might not be the most enjoyable thing it is definitely better then getting injured. 

3.  Dance is not a “normal” sport.

Dance is what I like to call a creative sport, or an art-sport. This means that there are not many rules like there are in other sports. It is all about being creative, and allowing your passion to come through.  I have found that you never stop learning. There is always more to learn even if you are a professional dancer. It is impossible to learn every dance move there is, as there are simply too many variations possible on every move. 

4. Don’t get discouraged.

Everyone learns at different speeds. Sometimes just watching people can really help. If you feel like you are not as good as the other people in your class then look at other people who you think are good and try to learn from them.  Some people may have a natural talent for a certain dance style than others, but that should not limit your own fun, and your own improvement over time. 

5. No Gain, All Pain – Don’t try to do stunts you know you can not do.

One of the easiest ways to get hurt is to do something you know you are not capable of doing.  Remember, trying great stunts that are way above your level, makes it much more likely to get hurt.  So, I found out the hard way that one of the biggest parts of dancing is knowing what you are capable of. If you want to learn a new skill, but are struggling with it, try baby steps in learning it. Maybe even check out instructional videos on YouTube or ask for help from someone who already has learned it.

6.  Dance does not have to be expensive.

Dance classes can get extremely expensive and be a huge time commitment. However, it does not have to be that way. A lot of people have other commitments besides dance. That was my situation in high school. If you do not have money or time, then dance is something that you can easily teach yourself. Just listen to music and dance along.  Also, search on YouTube or other video sites, as so many dancers are willing to share. 

7. It is never too late to learn.

There are dance classes for all ages, from infants to seniors. Age should not be a barrier. As long as you are in good health physically, you can learn to dance. Moreover, dancing can be a great way to stay limber and physically fit.  That will improve your health and even be a huge stress reliever.  Take it from me, if you are overwhelmed with homework, dance is a great outlet!

8. When choosing a style of dance chose one that matches your personality.

There are many different styles of dance such as lyrical, hip-hop, ballet, contemporary, as well as many others. Different styles of dance fit with different personalities.For example, lyrical dance feels elegant, while hip hop is fast-paced.  Try out a bunch of different styles, so you can find the one you love the most.  You also can do more than one style if that is what you want to. I do both modern dance and hip hop.

9. Going to dance classes with friends can be a great social activity.

Finding other friends who love dance can make it even more fun.  For instance, I have found friends who have the same interest and that not only has it made my dance classes more fun, but has provided a great bonding activity.  I have found that when you have friends that share this interest, you can encourage each other and have a lot of fun too.  Just ask my friend Sam!

10.  Just have fun.

You may say this is a platitude, but it really is true.  Just have fun, and enjoy it.  Dance is a fun way to express yourself, stay in shape and socialize. Don’t worry too much if you  are not perfect at the beginning. With time you will become better. Personally, I may not be the best in my hip hop class (or even close), but it is great for expressing my creativity, staying in shape, blowing off college stress, socializing and just having fun. To me it does not matter if I am good, as long as I am having fun. And, I have found that the more you practice the better you get and you have more fun each time.  

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If you made it this far, good luck on your future dance adventure!  It can improve your life in so many ways.  If you need any help, feel free to comment and I will respond.