10 Things You Should Know the First Time You Walk into Dance Class (from a beginner to beginners)
2:01 PM
I've made a list today of some beginner dance tips (from a beginner, trust me). Some useful hints...and some things I wish I had thought through a bit more. Maybe, with these things in mind, you can skip that first embarrassing stage and go straight to the onslaught of learning the wonderful language of dance.
You are going to be embarrassed
This is number one because it's a fact. If you are new to dance, then you will probably embarrass yourself for at least the first 3-4 classes. Your dance teacher's going to look at you like "Other foot, again" "That's not fifth position" "Everyone has the right arm...except Michaila". But it's okay. Dance is a language and you just have to start mouthing the words. Just try your hardest not to be nervous, and everything will most likely go smooth.
Always have another pair of back-up tights
Okay, I just learned this myself. Dance tights rip easily. Period. On whatever (WATCH what you sit on, k?). Always have another pair of replacement tights at home, so that next week you can change out the ripped ones for the new ones. Another tip is to keep your toenails trimmed (and filed!) and to make sure your fingernails are filed as well.
Practice practice practice!
To help subdue number one, the answer is to practice. The more you practice, the more precision and skill you'll gain. Trust me, you might start out sloppy, with horrible balance, but if you keep over your moves, you yourself will be surprised.Especially remember this with pirouettes (ugh). And if you have a mirror (or even want to record yourself sometime) it's a great way to see if you are doing things right. You can also use Youtube, which is great for learning new dance moves before your dance teacher shows you them. Then you'll be partially ahead.
Learn the dance move dictionary
There's actually flashcards for this. All ballet terms/moves are in French...so they can be extremely hard to remember. Lots of times a teacher will show you, but other times she'll just tell you. Learning French, or just memorizing the meanings of some ballet terms will be a quick step ahead, and make both your teacher and your time in class easier
You're going to be sore. That's dance.
Prepare to be sore, sweaty, and perhaps bruised. Dance is discovering muscles you never knew you had. And making them strong. Sweat...well, I find that if I'm doing something right, I'm probably sweating. And bruising may come with anything between a pirouette, a jump, or some quick turn. clear a large space to avoid bruising your tush.
It's going to take a slice out of your schedule (not just once a week)
Because every day (or every other day) practice is essential. Not only to remember but to be better the next time class comes around. And to literally 'stay in shape' so that you won't fell like Gumby when you have to Arabesque. Practice is super important.
Buy extra bobby pins
You need bobby pins, your classmates need bobby pins. You constantly lose bobby pins. Easy.
I have these bobby pins from the dollar store...and let me tell you, while you're at it, get ones that are quality. The 'dollar store' bobby pins can be a risky purchase; the large ones I have literally peel black paint and it wasn't till I saw a chipping one that I put the mystery together. Random black things in my hair. Weird.
You are going to have one bad side
For me it's my left; this really comes out with turns. Also sometimes my turnout isn't as good on my left side as well. This motivates me to try and work out my left side more, and work on more turns as well.
You need to stretch on a daily basis
big one. Stretching, for me, not only helps my mood for the day, but it strengthens my dance moves and helps positions, turn out, and strength. Like I said before, you can find great ballet or dance workout videos on Youtube.
If you want tips, or are more advanced, try Katherine Morgan. For both advanced and beginner, look up Lazy Dancer Tips. Both of these channels will help you in many ways. I especially like the barre workouts and Swan Lake fitness on the second channel.
If you want tips, or are more advanced, try Katherine Morgan. For both advanced and beginner, look up Lazy Dancer Tips. Both of these channels will help you in many ways. I especially like the barre workouts and Swan Lake fitness on the second channel.
stay hopeful
I keep having to tell myself this. Optimism; it's powerful. And why not ask God to help you? After all, that's what praying is for.
Well, I hope you all enjoyed this and learned some simple things from my simple beginner tips! Have fun dancing ❤
22 Sticky notes
I was in ballet a few years when I was little... like until I was 6. I could actually do the splits, but now I'm not flexible at all! ;P I'd love to be able to do it again. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt seems the average American girl is in ballet as a little kid...almost everyone, really. I started at 11, did three months, and then had not started again until this year in fall. You should really start again if you want to, it's a great thing to pick up!
Delete-Mic
LOVEEEED THIS POST. As someone who has been dancing all her life, on and off in different classes this was the perfect post. I am taking a jazz class next semester to continue dancing and this post just reminded me to paint my nails. My left side is my bad side too! I can't leap on that side. OH and ohhh can we talk about the bruises and soreness. SUCKS. Keep dancing Mic!
ReplyDeletewww.itssimplyme.com
OMGOODNESS THANK YOU! Btw...which dance is your fav out of all of them? Have you ever done lyrical? Haha I haven't painted my nails for a little while...my Chaines turns on left...ugh.
DeleteYOU TOO <3
-Mic
*can do a messy bun without bobby pins* hahahaa i'm sure you need lots with your gorgeous thick hair <33 dance sounds sooo hard but so cool - you do it amazingly!! *will see you do it in real life someday*
ReplyDelete*I can too but it doesn't stay up right* xD lol SARAH stooop <333 Aww if only you could see me, lol. *shrieks* YES OMYGOODNESS YES.
Delete-Mic
That's so awesome that you are in dance!!! Love you and am proud of you
ReplyDeleteThank you Sis *mwa* love you too <33
Delete-Mic
I haven't ever danced other than a little bit in certain plays and showcases (and never anything near ballet) but this was a super fun post to read regardless! Reading about what it's like for dancers is cool because I've always been interested by ballet and dance- though I'm not very comfortable doing it.;) I hope your ballet practicing goes really well! :D
ReplyDelete-Emma-
I've done 2 plays (one had a dance the other lines) & both I was an angel...Easter play ;) thank you! I'm so glad it was fun <33
DeleteHonestly it IS uncomfortable...I just have to block out thinking about what everyone else is thinking...if I can, lol.
Thank you Emma! :D
-Mic
This was an enjoyable post :) although I don't do ballet, I do enjoy dancing. So thanks for this :D
ReplyDeleteEllie
www.uniquelyyou1.blogspot.com
Ah but your WAY more flexible than me xD
DeleteThanks!
-Mic
I did ballet for, like, two months when I was ten. Oh the memories. XD Anywho, great tips! The bobby pins never stay in my hair, though . . . *glares at unruly bobby pins* lol!
ReplyDelete3 months at 11...lol so close! Ikr...I was the tallest in my class then *awkwardness*. YES bobby pins are such a pain. UGH. Find the right ones tho, and you'll hit the jackpot!
DeleteBtw, since 11 I had not one back in till now...I'm enjoying it so much (maybe you would too :).
-Mic
I used to want to be a dancer as a little girl. I always thought ballerinas were so graceful and lovely, but never did give it a try.
ReplyDeleteNow that I'm older, I'm NOT very flexible, and don't think I will ever be. lol
I do Pilates and stretches, but nothing seems to work.
I guess I'm just made to be a wound up spring, not a stretchy rubber band. ;)
That's so cool, though, that you are a dancer!
That was one of the things I think that attracted me to it...ballerinas have such elegance and femininity. I did not, however, do ballet as a little girl.
DeleteSame! I'm not the most flexible person. You know what helped? I put my leg on our mantel (up to my ear/chin) and held it there for 0:30. Then,eventually to a 1:00. This was after I had been using the ballet barre at dance class...so a chair would be great to start out with.
Just touching your toes and basic gymnastic stretches got me even partially flexible for dance. I hope that if you want to do ballet, really badly, you could gain some flexibility by that stuff ^.
xD thanks Lakaysha! Hope this helps <3
-Mic
'Random black things in my hair. Weird'
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, XD That would drive me crazy.
Lovely post Mic! Good luck with dance class, I'm sure you'll do amazingly.
Ahh Ikr Hannah such a mystery xD
DeleteIt was grossssss...and for a little while there I had no idea!
Thanks girl, I hope I do ;D
-Mic
This is all SO true! I went back to ballet last year, and it's so hard, but so worth it.
ReplyDeleteHehee thanks XD.
DeleteReally? how old were you before?
Ikr dance is art. Period. It's the only art form where you ARE the artwork (no i did not make that up lol).
-Mic
Loved reading this. Bobby pins definitely disappear easily! My left side is also by bad side, except for turns. I don't really have a bad side for turns, unless we're doing fouette's which I can barely do to the left. ; )
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! Yes, don't they? You start out with what seems like 1k and end up with 50 or less, lol. I wish I had no bad side with turns---you are so blessed!!!
DeleteIn ballet so far I haven't gotten to Fouettes ;)
-Michaila
Have you been to Europe?
Thank you for your beautiful comments (I respond) <3333