Ever find yourself getting stuck in your head when you dance?
I know how you feel.
It can happen in class,
When getting up to dance by yourself at a fiesta,
Even when anticipating being in class or performing.
When we get stuck in our heads we disconnect from our bodies,
From the people around us,
From the place we’re in.
It blocks our ability to learn.
(And to have fun!)
This is not how I want to feel when I’m doing flamenco (or in any situation really),
Do you?
So, here are four things to do when you get stuck in your head:
1. Remain present.
Breathe and refocus.
You can do this right there on the dance floor,
Take a deep breath,
Feel your body,
Continue dancing.
You might want to briefly close your eyes with the breath.
& if you are really struggling, maybe you need to leave for a moment and come back.
2. Allow the discomfort.
Learning to stick with an uncomfortable situation is powerful.
Discomfort is a part of life.
It is part of growing and learning.
We don’t need to judge it or push it away.
We can allow ourselves to be with it.
3. Use the challenge to improve.
Process is important, and we grow when challenged.
We need to stretch ourselves in order to get better.
It’s going to be hard.
It’s okay to make mistakes.
4. Listen, and move on.
You don’t need to discount everything the negative voices say.
Sometimes it’s important to listen.
Ask yourself if there’s anything helpful there.
Pick out the constructive info,
Then move on.
(This is better done after class, and please don’t dwell.)
Example: Let’s say the demons in your head are saying you don’t pick things up fast enough in class.
This could mean you’re feeling stressed by the pace or the difficulty of steps.
Knowing that, you can practice after class to give yourself a head start for the next one.
That way if you feel overwhelmed by new material next class, at least you can feel successful with something.
What about you?
Leave a YES in the comments below if you can relate!
For a more personal version of this post and a video from class with Beatriz Morales, check this out.
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