Competitive Dance Preparation

Not many people start out dancing because they want to be competitive dancers. Most people start out watching someone having a blast on the dance floor and then begin to get inspired to learn themselves. Most folks want to learn to look comfortable and confident and simply, not make fools of themselves. So what is all the hype about competitions then? I’m betting when you started dancing you told yourself that you would never compete. You saw dancers competing and said to yourself, “That could never be me. She’s so …graceful, he’s so …confident.” The truth is you can have it all! Let’s talk about what competitive Dance can do for YOU!

SETTING A GOAL: BOOM! And you thought I was going to say sparkly dresses and eyelashes first. Goal setting is an important way of deciding what you want to achieve in your life. Separating what’s important from what’s irrelevant or a distraction. It’s a tool for motivation. Now, setting a goal of competition is very different than a goal of making it to group class on Thursday night if the babysitter doesn’t cancel. If you commit to the process, you WILL make it a priority, you will practice, you will try harder. When you have a deadline you will always push yourself more. Even if only to make the deadline, you’re working harder and practicing your dancing will improve.

BEING IN IT TO WIN IT: Once you’ve set a goal and have your deadline, you will start to eat, sleep and breathe dancing. We call this being in it to win it. There is no wasted time because you’re counting choreography in your sleep, you’re dancing down the aisle of the grocery store. The law of attraction is keeping your focus on something to bring more of it into your life. When you’re focused on your dancing, when you’re obsessive about it you will start to have AHA! moments all over the place. You will start to improve your dancing simply for the amount of mental effort you’re putting into it. When you want something (to be a better dancer) and you immerse yourself in it you will start to see progress.

GETTING INTO SHAPE: Getting into shape looks good on everybody. I’m not suggesting having unreal expectations for your figure in the next 3 months. However, when you start a new activity your body will respond by building new muscle, increasing your stamina, even dropping a couple of pounds. If you happen to have some additional fitness goals the deadline of the competition will become a date to work toward. Dancing has been shown to improve mental clarity and even ward off the effects of Alzheimer’s and dementia. The health benefits of ballroom dancing alone are life-changing.

BETTER SOCIAL DANCING: We’re all here to become better social dancers first. Remember the first Dance Party you attended? Do you remember how nerve-wracking it was to be on the same floor as the more advanced students? Whenever we push past our comfort zone into unfamiliar territory we grow as people.

INCREASED CONFIDENCE: Remember how uncomfortable growth can be, but how once we’re through the fire we find ourselves in a new version of normal. This new version includes new skills and a new outlook on what is possible. That first competition is one of the most stressful, nerve-wracking, uncomfortable experiences a person can go through. Because of this, it is also one of the most productive for growth. I always say a student can learn more by going to a competition than coming in for 10 lessons in a row for a month. After being on a floor with 12 other couples, and hundreds more watching, judges, and costumes, and loud cheering the Social Dancing is going to look like a piece of cake.

IT’S FUN!: When you’re done feeling like your teacher set you on fire and sent you out onto the floor. You’ll start to have some fun. The first few dances will warm up your muscles and you’ll start to remember where you are and why you came. Then competition starts to become the most exhilarating experience you’ll ever have. You’ll hear your studio cheering for you, you’ll start to feel at home in the costume your teacher put you in. You’ll start to understand what “a heat” is and when you’re supposed to be dancing. Once you get to the part of having fun you’ll start to see what all the hype was about. Competition is an exciting experience that helps you toward your goal of becoming a more comfortable and confident social dancer.