While we all love a good buffet now and again, we can also relate to the feeling of having too much on our plate. Metaphorically speaking, of course 😜. Work, families, errands, side hustles, exercise, sleep (what's that?), and oh yeah, DANCE! Does this list sound familiar?
We've been there. As ballroom dancers, we are naturally motivated. This means we tend to load up on things we love to do. Yet, when those busy to-do's take over dance, something always feels OFF. So we've gathered a few tips on how you can keep dancing even when it feels like there aren't enough hours in the day.
Get Organized
The first step in understanding how to best fit dance into your busy life is to identify where you have, and lack, time. Whether you love a physical planner or are dedicated to Google Calendar, sit down and commit to organizing your time each week. Identifying on a monthly or weekly basis where your breaks are and what opportunities you have to dance, can allow you to optimize your schedule and ensure you spend as much time in the studio as possible.
Here are some of our favorite ways to get organized.
- Meal Prepping/Planning
- Setting Reminders
- Scheduling Breaks to avoid Burnout
Practice in Unlikely Places
Let's reframe the way we think about practice, shall we? While most of us would like to walk into the studio, change into our favorite practice clothes, stretch a little, put on our shoes, and get to dancing, this isn't always a reality.
When you're busy with life, look for small gaps in your day when a little dancing might fit in. Here are a few ideas.
- Practice dance position while you're brushing your teeth (one arm at a time, of course 😆).
- Put on dance music in place of your morning podcast on your commute and visualize your routines in your head (drive safely, please!).
- When you take your bathroom/snack breaks at work, find a quiet space and dance a few rumba walks or work on your swing and sway - something that doesn't take up a lot of space.
- If you work from home, you can use your breaks to your advantage and take a short Dance Vision class in your living room.
- Do mental rounds while eating, showering, or getting ready in the morning.
Dance Skills = Life Skills
Lucky for us, core elements of what makes us successful in ballroom dance are simply elements of life. Sitting at your desk, you can work on posture, like sitting up tall, rolling back your shoulders, and engaging your core. As you walk, take definite heel leads. Practice rolling through your foot. When you walk, move like you are walking onto the dance floor - keep your head high, chest proud, and walk with purpose. Not only will these small changes improve self-confidence and physical ability in your dancing, but they can support body mechanics, reduce injury and move your bodies into proper alignment!
Don't Worry, Be App-y!
The Dance Vision App was made for busy people like you. Our video library of over 5,500+ classes are organized into easy-to-follow programs, so you save time when learning. When you're commuting to work, you can learn a new Smooth figure, or when you have five minutes before a meeting, you can practice a new Latin routine. Instead of scrolling Instagram or Facebook, take a few minutes to work your brain and engage in a short DV class on the App.
We see you, multi-tasker! Keep working hard and don't forget to dance!
Just needs the basics? Creating an account on Dance Vision is free, and you'll get access to over 300 beginner friendly classes. Once you're ready, you can upgrade to Premium at any time.
