Five, six, seven, eight . . .
Those four simple numbers have left an imprint on my brain . . . it is a phrase that all dancers know. It sparks a rush of adrenaline . . . a feeling of excitement . . . because we all know it signals the start of something we love doing. Dance. Performing.
I have heard those words called out more times than I can count since the age of four when I joined the competitive dance program at Deborah's Stage Door in Rochester Hills, Michigan. The words still resonate with me today, stirring up fond memories every time I hear them.
It all started when at the age of two I declared rather vehemently that I wanted to be a tap dancer like the young girl I watched every day in my favorite Teletubbies video. I watched her so intently, trying to memorize every step. Each time I watched her, it peaked my interest even more . . . ultimately lighting a spark in me that inspired me to start dancing. Even though I was still very young, my mom obliged my toddler demands and signed me up for my first dance class. I was two and a half, and I beamed with excitement as we purchased my first tap and ballet shoes for that Pre-Rhythm class. Little did we know as I entered my first class that day in my tiny leotard and tutu that I would be totally and completely hooked.
The years passed by and I was invited to join the competition team. Tap, jazz, ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, gymnastics and turns classes filled every day. Regional and national competitions became our family vacations. I lived, breathed and slept dance. But make no mistake, I loved every minute of it. Yes . . . there were times that I would dread my 10-hour Saturdays and endlessly long rehearsals, but in all honesty, I miss those days.
These days I feel like a washed-up, retired dancer who has to crack every bone in my body before I get up and get moving in the morning. I am a strong believer that competitive dancers are some of the most dedicated and hard-working athletes. In spite of this, dancers often do not get enough credit for their overall strength, mental fortitude, and maturity. All athletes work extremely hard, but dancers begin training their bodies at such a young age that it leads to them developing into some of the most physically and mentally strongest people around. If you do not believe me, just watch the incredible athletic ability and life stories of those who appear on So You Think You Can Dance or World Of Dance. If you do, you may just catch of glimpse of some of my former teammates . . . many that I danced with at my studio appear on these shows.
I feel strongly that competition dance truly helped shape me into the person I am today. So, I have gathered my thoughts and brought to you my three favorite life lessons that I learned during my time in the competitive dance world. The dance world may appear to be filled with crazy dance moms, drama, flashy costumes and diva-like girls, but I can promise you . . . that is not the real world of competitive dance. In reality, dancers and their families are dedicated and hard working. They are loyal and committed to being the best at what they do. Dancers take great risks to achieve high levels of success, but in the end, it does pay off.
1. Commitment to physical fitness
From a young age, I have been doing the same sit-up and push-up combination almost daily. It has been drilled into my head that the momentary discomfort associated with this combo is for my benefit in the long run. And . . . boy oh boy . . . does this combination work miracles. No matter where I go, or how old I get, I will always remember the importance of being committed to making my body as strong as it can be.
But it is not just this one sit-up and push-up combo that has stayed with me since hanging up my dancing shoes. As a dancer, I was required to take a strength and fitness classes at least once a week for two hours. It was here that I began to learn the benefit to my overall health of being strong and staying flexible. Dance is demanding . . . it requires both. How else would dancers be able to endlessly turn or leap through the air flawlessly? I have even heard of dance studios that train their dancers using ankle weights in class so that when it is time to perform on stage the steps are easier to do and appear more flawless and fluid.
Fueling your body properly is something else that was emphasized during my time as a competition dancer. Without the proper nutrition, your body cannot perform at peak levels.
The commitment to staying fit that I learned through dance is a lesson that I continue to embrace today. . . I have found that I perform better in all aspects of my life when I feel strong. Dance is so much more than pretty costumes and dainty ballerinas . . . dancers are athletes in every sense of the word.
2. Day-to-day life skills
You may be thinking . . . how in the world does dance teach you skills that you can use in your everyday life? Let me tell you, I have the best time management skills because as a dancer you have to learn to juggle your studio responsibilities and school commitments at a very young age. What middle school kid can go to school for seven hours, then go straight to the studio until around 9:00 p.m., do homework and then repeat the next day. NOT MANY!
Dance also taught me to manage my own schedule. As a five-year-old, I would spend hours at the studio finding my way to the correct classes using the handwritten schedule carefully color-coded and written by my mom. I also learned to always show up on time . . . whether to class or a competition, you did not want to be late.
The studio owner also stressed to us that age does not determine success. If you put in the work, you are just as capable as someone older than you. It may sound cliche, but age is only a number. As a young dancer, and in my life now, I try not to limit my opportunities just because of my age.
Dance also taught me to make the most out of every situation. There may be sight mishaps on stage . . . a fall, a costume malfunction . . . but, as they say . . . the show must go on. This mantra continues to hold true for my life now.
And finally . . . work ethic. Dance teaches you to work harder than you have ever worked before. I continue to call on the work ethic that was instilled in me through dance every day as I make my way through college or in my summer jobs.
3. Friendship
The people I met at the studio are the girls and boys who have stuck with me through thick and thin. In fact, it was one of my dance friends who came to the hospital with me when I suffered an injury at dance and broke my foot. To this day, I know that each and every one of my dance friends "has my back". Always.
I never really fit in with people from school . . . it was difficult for most to understand my commitment to my studio and the time it required. Competitive dancers share so many personality characteristics . . . we easily form a very special bond. Through dance, I learned to focus on friends who shared the same priorities and focus. Sometimes, the best friends are those who understand us and do not judge our lifestyle. To this day, all my friends are either dance majors, retired dancers, or danced at some point in their life. They understand how I like to approach my day-to-day life and they often work on similar schedules as I do. Dancers tend to be forced to grow up at an early age, so we typically reach the same stages in our life at the same time.
Overall, dance has taught me many valuable lessons and given me priceless memories. It is never to late to start dancing, so why not give it a try?
Thank you Deborah's Stage Door for the lessons and the memories . . . and for always being my home away from home.
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