Dance is one of the greatest sports I have ever been a part of, and performing what you have been working on for so long feels absolutely amazing. Yet there are definitely many things that people don't see that happen backstage or during practice that any dancer can relate to.

1. "One More Time"

When your coach or your dance instructor says this, they are lying. No, they don't mean to lie to you but let's face it, when they say, "One more time guys!" you are destined to do it at least three more times.

2. Having a bad "turn day"

Some days you can't just turn to save your life. Nailing a double pirouette some days just seems useless and your form kinda looks like the photo below. Sorry coach!

3. Falling but playing it off

When all else fails and you totally land on your butt, just act like it was supposed to happen!

4. Seeing the bill to your uniforms/costumes

Um, how much?

5. Feeling like you weigh 500lbs doing a jump

Especially during morning practices or just feeling sore, attempting any leap will make you feel 50 times heavier than you really are causing you to probably look like this:

6. Straight up being weird during practice

Sometimes you just gotta let your weirdness out with your fellow dancers. It definitely starts practice/rehearsal off to a good start.

7. When that perfect dancer on your team says they did "bad"

There is always that one dancer who has the whole package. Can turn 9 times in a row, is flexible and talented at everything. But as soon as they say "That run through was so bad" you can't help but give them this look:

8. Having to go to the bathroom before you perform

It's most likely because you're so nervous that you can't help but have to go so bad right before you go on!

9. Every photo of you taken during a performance looks weird

It's not the photographer's fault at all! It's those crazy facials and the timing the picture was taken. Hopefully, you don't look this weird during the entire performance.

10. Stretching and feeling like you pulled every muscle in your leg

You can't help but yell or groan in pain doing the splits when you're tight or sore.

11. Showing up to practice late is your biggest fear

When you have an early morning practice you bet I'm going to set five alarms so I'm not late! And if I end up waking up late, you bet I'm running to practice like this:

12. Saying,"I'm fine! This is fine." During practice

All the build up of stress from work, class, homework, and dance can really create a heavy feeling on you. Having a rough practice can really make you want to have a mental breakdown at one point, but you have to suck it up and keep going. Good thing you have a great team that helps you get through it all.

13. The smile on your face when you succeed

Through all the rough dance days, in the end, it is all worth it. With a great team, an amazing goal, and all that hard work, everything is possible. A thank you to my coaches and my amazing teammates on the Crimson Spirit Dance Team for all your support in helping me get through this season.