14. Comparison. | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
popular

17 Things You'll Only Understand If You Are – Or Ever Were – A Dancer

Are we human, or are we dancers?

6174
17 Things You'll Only Understand If You Are – Or Ever Were – A Dancer
Brianna Baker

.

1. "One more time" is always a lie.

You KNOW when your teacher says “let's do that one more time," they actually mean 10.

2. That one person who always asks way too many questions.

We all know that girl (or those girls): "Is the leg straight or slightly bent?" "Where do our arms go?" "What's our emotion in this eight count?" "Could you repeat that, please?"

Questions are great, but can you PLEASE just try the choreography first and see what others are doing and then ask any IMPORTANT questions, so we can get out of here on time? Please and thank you.

3. Walking into the gas station in a crop top and booty shorts after class...

We've all been there: class just ended and you desperately need water, so you head into your local Wawa (or Sheetz, or whatever gas station you have in your neck of the woods) to get some refreshments, only to have fellow citizens glare at you for your attire. Yes, I am aware that I am wearing little clothing. No, it is not for fashion or for your viewing pleasure, but rather for the fact that my studio just happens to be hot af.

And yes, I'm aware that this really only applies to my fellow lady dancers out there...sorry, guys!

4 ...and after a recital.

Cue the odd looks and glances for the insane amount of makeup you have on, in addition to the crazy hair and lashes.

5. You're able to dance for hours, but you can't run for five minutes.

We can't explain why this is so, and we wish we had the answer.

6. "Can we just have a stretch day?"

Spending the whole class stretching > working on technique.

7. Realizing that there are 7-year-olds better than you.

It's just not right: little children should not be able to do 10 pirouettes and have the perfect side leap. Go back, put on your little ballet slippers, and do some tondeaus.

8. Quick changes.

My question is: how can we completely change costumes and hair in like .3 seconds for a recital, but we take an hour to get ready on a normal day?

9. "Nutcracker season."

Whether or not your studio puts on its own rendition of the production itself, you know it's getting close to Christmastime when your typical ballet warmup tunes are replaced with songs from the classic ballet. And you know every single one by heart.

10. Watching dance videos on YouTube/Instagram/etc...and then hating yourself afterward.

WHY can't I be as good as Maddie Ziegler or as some of the Royal Family dancers? WHY am I trash? UGH, not fair!

11. Accepting the fact that you will never have “pretty” knees or feet.

With the insane amount of stress we put on our feet and knees, the bruises and cuts are inevitable.

12. Three words: crazy dance parents.

Dance moms aren't just a reality television show: crazy dance moms (and dads) do exist in the dance world. You know who they are: they wear the studio shirt, start unnecessary drama, and truly believe that their kid is the best thing since sliced bread.

13. The showoffs.

There's one (or a few) in every class. We get it: you're flexible, and you can do 37 a-la-secondes. Just do what the teacher says and stop having your own little practice/show-off session in the front.

14. Comparison.

As dancers, we never feel like we’re good enough. We compare ourselves to the dancer onstage, on the screen, and next to us in the studio. We compare technique, skills, appearance, body shape, etc. It’s a huge struggle, especially when these comparisons go too far and hurt our mental health, and this is unfortunately something that many dancers face.

15. Looking like a complete idiot at dance parties.

Let me make one thing clear: real dancing and the "dancing" involved at parties and clubs are NOT the same thing. It's pretty difficult to break out into a grande allegro sequence in the middle of the dance floor, so unless you're a hip-hopper, you kinda just stand in the corner doing some little jazz or hip-hop choreo you learned in class.

16. Choreographing dances in your head to literally any song you hear.

We simply cannot listen to a single song without mentally choreographing/dancing along with it.

17. Once a dancer, always a dancer.

Even if you don't train on a daily basis anymore, once you've invested so much time, energy, money, and love into the sport, you still consider yourself to be a dancer...and rightfully so.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

442753
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

16234
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

41380
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

7 Types Of Students You Will Meet In College

You wish you could be #5, but you know you're probably a #6.

21141
cool group of lazy college students in class
StableDiffusion

There are thousands of universities around the world, and each school boasts its own traditions and slogans. Some schools pride themselves on sports, while others emphasize their research facilities. While there is a myriad of differences among each and every school, there will always these seven types of students in class.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Rhyme Without Reason Greek Life Function Ideas

When you have no ideas for what to wear to this date function

321564
A dog and a frog
Healthy Pets

I am going to a rhyme without reason date function and I have looked at so many different rhyming words and I figured there need to be a new list of words. At these functions, there are usually at least two rockers and boxers and an umpteenth amount of dogs and frogs. I have come up with a list of creative and unique ideas for these functions.

If you like what you see, get a shopping cart going with these costumes.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments