Competition in dance

 

What if we redefined competition, comparison, and success in dance?

What if your thinking about someone else's achievement has nothing to do with your ability to succeed? Their success does not imply failure. Instead, it demonstrates that success in dancing is feasible.

Your current frame of mind...

If you're doubting your ability to achieve or if the fear of failure is making you reconsider your path to professional dancing, it's important to analyse and work on your mentality.

This present style of thinking also makes it very simple to get lost in comparison, whether you're comparing your body or your abilities to others.

Your current environment…

In your present dance setting, you may not be the "favourite." That has nothing to do with your ability to succeed elsewhere. It also has no bearing on the opportunities that may be provided to you when you audition at other institutions or firms.

Even if your dancing school claims to promote body acceptance, it's possible that they don't. There are profoundly engrained assumptions about what a dancer's body "should" look like. You can't deny the possibility that many, many dancers have an implicit bias against bodies that don't suit the ideal. It is possible that their prejudiced casting or auditioning is not a conscious thought process for them.

The fact that it may be unconscious doesn't make it OK. It could just be a reason why they're talking to talk but don't seem to be putting words into real, inclusive action.

The teachers or artistic directors you encounter…

It may take a few tries to find the right professors or company for you. This is something I believe should be acknowledged and celebrated, yet many people do not. Let's forget about that. Allow yourself to experiment with different options and situations to find your greatest place to dance.

The good news is that you will be encouraged to develop your dancing for yourself if you are in a supportive environment. Return your attention to your dance intention and inspiration.

Quick Tip: If you've been wanting to start journaling but haven't been able to do so, consider setting a daily intention. It might be your motivation for dancing that day or how you want to live your entire life.

Seeking approbation or external validation isn't necessarily a bad thing. However, if it is your primary reason for dancing, it is time to adjust your focus.

Your Concept of Success

The thing with success is that we frequently define it by the standards of others. We hear accolades for the big stars and well-known individuals in the dance business, who usually dance for one of a few top companies. You associate that with success in your young dancing brain.

When that result seems unattainable, you persuade yourself you've already failed. So, change your perspective about success. Most dancers are motivated by their passion for the art form. Make the objective of having a venue where you can dance as much as you want.

Success, according to that concept, may imply dancing with any size organisation, from the tiniest professional groups to even more recreational dance outlets. Perhaps teaching is the path that will allow you to dance all day. Begin now to let go of other people's conceptions of success and look deep inside yourself and your motivation to determine what path in dance will bring you the most joy, fulfilment, and satisfaction.

Take Action:

Spend some time writing about your success vision. Begin by identifying the people, places, or experiences that have impacted your current perception of what success "should" look like.

Then listen to yourself. Block out the noise from your peers, society, the dancing industry, and your fear of what others may think. Answer the following questions: What makes you happy?

When do you feel the most at ease?

Who do you want to spend your time with?

How can you combine passion with purpose?

Where do you most feel at ease?

What is the significance of these items to you?

 

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Core strengthening for dancers

What is the definition of core control?

All of the muscles that help you stay balanced and run through the trunk of your body make up your core. As a result, your core is much more than your abdominal muscles. The muscles on your sides, back, and through your pelvis are also included. Deep core muscles include the transverse abdominis, diaphragm, pelvic floor, and multifidus (muscles located between your vertebrae). The rectus abdominis, obliques, erector spinae, and gluteal muscles, on the other hand, are outer core muscles. The deep group is a supporting group that acts on a more delicate level than the outer group, which consists of large, active moving muscles. Finding a comfortable balance between the two is crucial. We frequently over-activate our outer muscles while neglecting our inner muscles.

What role does the core have in dancing technique?

You must keep balance while dancing while undertaking a variety of tough manoeuvres. Your core stabilises your body, helping you to accomplish tough dance routines without losing control and guaranteeing that you complete them securely and firmly every time. It also increases stamina by integrating your core in breathing and improving the efficiency of your motions. Out-of-control bodies consume energy!

Dancers should strengthen their core muscles in a variety of postures and activities because they work together to stabilize the body in a coordinated manner. The following exercises for strengthening general core strength are recommended by three former ballet dancers who are now Pilates instructors.

With the ball, do double and single leg pelvic curls.

Step 1: Lie down on your back with your heels on the ball and your legs bent at a 90-degree angle, with the ball against the wall.

Step 2: Exhale and gently press your heels into the ball, sliding your pelvis and spine off the mat one bone at a time, until your hips are high and your knees, hips, and shoulders are all in a straight line.

Step 3: Take a deep breath in and slowly exhale, working your way back down your spine until you're flat on your back.

Rep ten times, then try with one leg. As you improve, you'll be able to move the ball away from the wall.

Adductor squeeze with Criss Cross

Step 1: Lie flat on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat. Place a softball between your knees. Place your hands behind your neck with your elbows open.

Step 2: Raise your head and shoulders off the mat while maintaining a neutral pelvis.

Step 3: Exhale while gently squeezing the ball with your left elbow crossed over your right knee with your left elbow crossed over your right knee.

Step 4: Inhale deeply and slowly rotate your torso to the centre, releasing the squeeze.

Step 5: Exhale deeply while crossing your right elbow across your left knee.

Alternate sides to keep the chest lift going. Reps should be increased until you reach ten.

Kneeling glute lift

Step 1: Go in a neutral spine position on your hands and knees, with your knees exactly under your hips and your hands beneath your shoulders.

Step 2: As you exhale, shift your weight to your left knee and raise your right foot to the sky, keeping your knee bent, foot flexed, and leg parallel. (Take care to keep your spine in alignment)

Step 3: As you inhale, return to the starting position and repeat with the left leg.

Perform ten reps on one side before switching sides. Then, while keeping appropriate alignment, try ten reps extending the opposing arm forward.

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The dance studio is a dancer's second home. Beginning as a dancer is about how you train and wherever you train has a lot to do with that!

A great dance studio will give the instruction and resources for your learning, as well as a community of dancers to connect with.

So, how do you know which dance studio is right for you?

Look for these 4 things when scoping out a dance studio.

Instructors, not just choreographers

Look up who trains at the studio. These are the personalities you'll be learning from and practising under. Go through their websites, YouTube channel, and social media.

You'll gain a more prominent sense of their dance styles, backgrounds, and personalities. Once you find a dancer you like, take their class!

The only way to recognise if they're good at teaching is to learn from them.

During the lesson, pay attention to how skilled they are. Do they know how to express their moves? Their intentions?

Can they teach you how to dance, not just what moves to hit? Or are they constantly stumbling around trying to remember their choreography?

The student's growth should be the instructor's #1 priority. And a great studio will curate a roster of instructors who are dedicated to that.

The dance studio's condition & maintenance

Not all floors are created equal wood sprung floors or "floating floors" in a dance room are best for dancers.

They help absorb shock, relieving stress from your bones and joints and preventing injuries. Safety? Check.

Other than floors, the rest of the studio's physical condition is worth considering as well. Clean bathrooms and organized enrollment areas may not make or break your will to take class, but they do represent the studio staff's work ethic and ability. It shows how attentive they are about your experience at their studio as a whole. It's like when you put in the effort to take a shower and put on a nice outfit – doing or not doing it doesn't make you ugly or beautiful, but it does show that you can take care of yourself. The same way, notice the ways that a studio keeps you, the customer, in mind.

Reasonable pricing

Average costs of classes will vary by area. A good way to gauge if it's reasonable is by comparing it to the cost of similar classes in other studios in your area. If a drop-in at one place is Rs. 2000, and another is Rs. 10000, then you'll want to choose the more affordable studio. Especially if you're strapped for cash. But if it comes down to Rs.2000 class vs. a Rs.3000 class – go for the one with quality instruction and a better experience.

If the studio delivers value that's worth the cost, then I would go with the Rs.1000extra dollars. Spending Rs.2000 on an underwhelming experience isn't a bargain, it's a waste of your money and time. More bang for your buck > less bang for fewer bucks.

Training programs

Programs offer structure in your dance training particularly if you're a newcomer to a style. This way, you don't have to wonder if you're in the right class. You'll take a sequence of classes intended to take you to your goal, whether that's to lose weight through cardio hip hop or learn ballroom dance. A lot of studios strictly do drop-in classes, but you can look for one that offers adult or teen programs that were made specifically for a dancer like you! Enrolling in a program also pushes you to keep going to the studio, instead of relying on whether or not you feel like dancing that day. There are several amazing, resourceful dance studios out there that can become your home base as a dancer. Make sure to keep your requirements and wants in mind when choosing which one to give your business to! And if there aren't many dance studios in your area... You can always train at SSDA if you are in Mumbai or connect through the online platforms as well. There are many young people in India.

 

With good infrastructure and state-of-the-art technology, at least in big cities, we have easy access to television and the Internet around the world. This has brought information and knowledge about different cultures, world trends, world music, dance and more to millions of Indians over the last two decades.

Hip-hop culture from a music and dance perspective began to influence young people in India in the early 90's, and insights into hip-hop began to emerge in the Indian pop music and Bollywood film industries. Since then, hip-hop music and dance have grown in India. The popularity of hip-hop as a form of dance can be seen in numerous dance reality shows that have recently flooded Indian television. As a dance format, Hip Hop is now a combination of different professional, experimental and freestyle dances. Mumbai attracts young people from all over the country to bring the unique taste of hip-hop dance to the table. This created an interesting genre of hip-hop in Mumbai. Of course, this is strongly influenced by Western media, music videos, movies and television. It includes not only the show, but also a contemporary touch of Bollywood and India. In recent years, many dance schools have been created in Mumbai to teach and promote hip hop. This is a good sign for hip-hop fans and anyone looking to explore the culture of this new era.

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WAYS TO BECOME BETTER AT DANCING

 

There's no greater feeling in the world than moving your body to a piece of music and letting the rest of the world disappear. Dance is much more than just a form of art . To master this art , you will have to put continuous effort and give a lot of your time which can be very very difficult. There is always a scope of improvement in the life of a dancer.

●      Staying consistent is really the key. You will need to sacrifice those urges of sleeping or going out instead of rehearseing. You have to prioritise and be regular with it.  Turning up every time you have a schedule for dancing will obviously hone your skills and movements. Even after learning the moves , you can focus more on your flow and the opportunity to express yourself.

 

●      Always stretch before dancing. Stretching creates long lean muscles and more energy efficient movements . Stretching helps a dancer attain the perfect postures required.

 

●      Practise even after your classes and regular rehearsals . Practise as often as possible. Practise till you can't get it wrong.

 

●      You should not compare your progress with anybody else. Your only competition is you. With consistent efforts , try to get better than what you were tomorrow. Everybody is different and you should just keep going .

 

●      You should never be disappointed in yourself , even if you make mistakes. They are just the proof that you are trying . you should always have a positive approach towards your training and should believe that you can do it. Negative thoughts are just going to bring you down. If you believe that you can do it , then you're halfway there.

 

●      Whenever you feel like quitting, always remember why you started in the first place. There are highs and lows in every phase of life. And sometimes things can get difficult but don't look back. You will gain confidence with time and it will calm down the inner critic.

 

●      You can always just record yourself . When you videotape yourself , you can see where you are going wrong and then you can work on your movements and their clarity.

 

●      You need to do a lot more than just learning the steps. Once you are through with all the movements and techniques , you should focus on feeling the movements so that the steps remain in your muscle memory .

 

●      You should have inspiration. It will keep you moving towards your goals . You can  watch different kinds of tutorials and videos online.

You seriously need to take care of your body. Dancing needs balance in physical and even mental health. You need to have a healthy lifestyle and you need to have a calm and stress free mind. Dancing is divine and it requires a lot of elements for perfection.

Also Read: THINGS CHOREOGRAPHER LOVE AND HATE FROM STUDENTS

Dealing with Criticism

 

Consider yourself in class, enjoying your quadruple pirouette in the mirror after a successful performance. You've been working on this move for months, and it's finally paid off! You feel proud and relieved when you land cleanly in the fourth place, and you look over at your teacher to see if she saw. Before moving on to the next student's work, she instructs, "Keep your shoulders away from your ears." Unfortunately, your good mood has been shattered. Your dance always appears to have difficulties, no matter how hard you try.

A constant barrage of corrections can make you feel overwhelmed and cause you to lose sight of your enthusiasm for the medium. Every dancer, on the other hand, must learn to deal with these criticisms. So, how can you learn to productively and calmly deal with criticism? Here are four ways for turning criticism into a positive rather than a negative experience.

Remember the Reason Why

You enrol in a dance class to better your abilities. We need comments to know what is and isn't working to progress in anything.

If someone criticises your technique, try not to take it personally. Even pros are criticised. Receiving negative feedback does not suggest that you are untalented.

Consider the Source

If you're feeling overwhelmed by criticism, take a moment to prioritise. A teacher's technique-related critique, for example, is normally given more weight than a peer or parent letter. Similarly, if you're rehearsing for a specific piece, the choreographer will undoubtedly have the last say in how steps are performed.

Remarks about your technique or performance are different from comments about your body, which are more likely to injure you, even if they are meant to improve you. So, how do you know whether to take physical comments seriously? This is when the importance of delivery comes into play. It's more essential than a peer, a parent, or an overzealous costume mistress mentioning that you must have liked your birthday cake last week if your teacher speaks to you individually and respectfully offers to cross-train.

Learn When to Let Go

Your first reaction after receiving in-class criticism might be to practise a bad move over and over again. However, sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the treatment will not be absorbed into your body that day. That's perfectly fine! Return to it with fresh eyes after sleeping on it. Though your technical issue may be caused by something you can't fix—such as short Achilles tendons or tight hip sockets—likely it's that your body requires some time to adjust.

It's not the same as giving up if you take a break to repair a problem. Consider why something isn't working properly. There may be a learning curve, and you'll need to allow yourself some time to catch up. Maybe there's a flaw that can be corrected through cross-training. Maybe it's just a terrible day; in that case, put it aside and come back to it later.

Be Kind to Yourself

Inner strength is required to handle criticism maturely and positively. You must make an effort to accept yourself as you are and to forgive yourself when things don't go as planned. Isn't it true that saying something is simpler than doing it? Consider the following scenario: As a dancer, you never stop learning. You'll face another task once you've overcome the first.

It's crucial to channel one's passion for greatness in a positive direction. Excessive self-criticism may jeopardise your goals by leading you to endure pain or hate everything you do.

After a while, this frequently leads to depression and damage. Reframe the situation by learning to operate within your body's restrictions rather than becoming frustrated.

As you progress through your training, keep in mind that you are your own toughest critic. Keep your pride in check, but remember that what you think of yourself is the most essential thing.

Also Read: 5 Things You Should Remember For Dance Competition Day

Best Choreographer Dance Academy

 

SDA Best Choreographer Dance Academy in Andheri West Mumbai specialises in urban, contemporary, jazz-funk, and other dance styles. Dhiraj Bakshi, our founder, is a visionary who believes in nothing but the best. As a result, we stand out and can train our students at a much faster speed and with higher end-quality, ultimately making it lighter and cheaper. There is stringent quality control among all other instructors, which he does extremely well, standardising the teaching process and making us the best there is.

Since its inception, Split Sole Dance lessons in Andheri West Mumbai have shaped and trained its students in a variety of dance genres that are on par with international standards. The key premise at Best Choreographer Dance Academy in Andheri West Mumbai is to strive, perseverance, teamwork, dedication, and sacrifice while maintaining a fun-loving environment.

At dance Studio, we believe that dance should be pleasurable, that it should take your spirit away from the everyday grind and allow you to explore your space, your thoughts, and connect with your body. SSDA was founded in 2009 to provide a forum for everyone with an interest in dance. It is the idea of Mr Dhiraj Bakshi, who believes that the power of dance can transform an interest into a passion in everyone interested in it.

 

Our dance classes are top class dance studios In Mumbai

SSDA Dance Studio is now a Dance Institute that specialises in Contemporary, Hip Hop, Bollywood Jazz, and Jazz Funk dance genres. The emphasis is on conveying dance nuances and refining techniques. A typical SSDA class begins with a warm-up, progresses to method training, and concludes with choreography. Choreography is crucial because it helps with muscle memory, mental agility, and focus while also teaching the importance of teamwork and respecting one's boundaries. SSDA holds regular programmes for both children and adults, as well as workshops.

Students in our dance lessons are regularly engaged with the industry's top specialists and learn all the tricks and skills from the faculty themselves, who are professionals in the dance industry with years of expertise and great knowledge of the industry's technical know-how.

Dance is a polished form of art that needs no introduction.

To dance is to live in a world where people of different shapes, sizes, ages, and ethnicities share the freedom of movement, the beauty of music, and the power of personal development. It's about living in the now when pleasure is at its greatest and everyday cares and problems go away. If you fall in love with dance, you might just fall in love with yourself.

Our dance studio is regulated in terms of flooring, and the institute is managed utilising technology. Our dance school is dedicated to teaching the greatest dancing at the most affordable prices. Our Best Choreographer Dance Academy in Andheri West Mumbai is built to international standards, and we provide an environment that fosters creative perfection in the competent and eager dancer.

Also Read: Best Dance Academy in Mumbai for Kids and Adults

6 Dance Styles That Help You Lose Belly Fat

 

Is your unwelcome belly fat keeping you awake at night? Allow dancing to relieve your stress! Few people realise that dancing can be a calorie-burning aerobic workout that helps tone your stomach. If you despise going to the gym or walking on a treadmill, consider taking up dancing classes!

To combat belly fat, follow a low-calorie diet and engage in high-intensity dance moves. We recommend the following six dance styles:

1. Latin Dancing

Latin dance styles such as Cha-Cha, Salsa, Rumba, and Reggaetón are excellent for losing belly fat. These dance styles involve quick movements and footwork, which can aid in calorie loss. According to the American Council on Exercise (ACE), an hour of Salsa can burn up to 500 calories for a 150-pound person.

2. Hip-Hop Dancing

Popping, locking, breaking, popping, shoulder shrugs, hip isolations, and quick turns are all part of hip-hop dancing. According to Harvard Medical School, doing fast hip-hop moves for an hour can burn approximately 446 calories for a person weighing 155 pounds.

3. Belly Dancing

Perform belly dancing for 10 minutes every day to tone your abs. Twist your body to contract your abdominals. Choose moves such as the rib slide, hip circle, figure eight, camel, and belly roll.

4. Ballroom Dancing

Ballroom dancing, according to FOX News, is a great workout that involves uncommon muscle groups. Ball dancing emphasises the back, abs, and legs. It also reduces belly fat by increasing fat and calorie burn.

5. Zumba Dancing

Zumba dancing burns calories that have been stored in the body. If you perform this dance form for one hour every day, you can burn 400 to 500 calories. Zumba dancing is thought to be a good cardiovascular exercise.

6. Ballet Dancing

This low-impact dance form can shape your body in a short amount of time. It can stretch and lengthen muscles, providing you with a full-body workout.

Dancing is one type of exercise that can benefit both your body and your soul. It improves stamina, flexibility, and self-confidence. Dancing can also lower your risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and osteoporosis.

7. Cha-cha

If you want to lose stubborn belly fat, we recommend incorporating an hour of Cha-cha dance into your daily routine. When performed correctly, this Latin dance form involves quick movements of every part of your body (arms, hips, legs, and waist) and will serve as a rigorous workout. Depending on your weight, a 60-minute Cha-cha session can help you burn up to 500 calories.

8. Salsa

Salsa is a great way to work your core because it involves fast spins, moves, and quick footwork. You can easily burn 400-500 calories in an hour of Salsa dancing, depending on your weight. It's also a great substitute for your regular cardio workout due to its spins, twists, and turns.