Tips and Tricks

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  On Doctors (you know what I’m saying)- When your doctor does something like putting you in a boot/cast/wheelchair, DON’T FIGHT IT! Doctor’s diagnosis should be trusted. Don’t ignore it, especially if its something important, to go back to dancing. It’s hard, I get that, but body comes before practice.

• Enough is Enough- Don’t push it when you know you’re hurt. Stop, don’t overextend yourself, and get a doctor. While I’m not a fan of wimps, either (“I STUBBED MY TOEEEE! IT HUUUUURTS! I CAN’T DAAAANCE! OWWWW!”), it’s important to know when enough is enough. When you’re experiencing true pain, STOP.
• Keep a Journal- Bring a little notebook to practice and write down the notes that you receive. Here’s an example of how I format my notes: Slip Jig-1^st– shoulders square, exaggerate t.o. on points, both feet up on jump2^nd– get back foot up on over, tight rocks, t.o. travel back3^rd– kick opposite butt, t.o. slice Blue Eyed Rascal (set)- Step- t.o. travel, high on toes, loud rhythms on travel and before slice Set- cross points and toe drags, t.o. heel drags, center click outs, cross after double pump
• Stubborn is Good- If practice doesn’t make perfect, then stubbornness does. Be stubborn when that move doesn’t work! Don’t give up!
• Make Your Dreams Come True- Get inspired at practice by imagining yourself dancing perfectly. Then execute it!
• Say Cheese- Smile at practice. Yeah, I know it feels a bit funny, but it helps you practice for feis and puts you in a better mood.
• On Hanging Overs- Snap your back foot up on overs and keep it up there until the very last second. Also, squeeze your abs and pull your front leg up another time- think like a power boost- right as you feel like you’re coming down.
• Inspiration- To get inspired, try to think about your competition and the top dancers. Think about how long and how they would practice, and use that to get yourself inspired. By thinking like that, you are telling yourself how YOU should practice and you are thinking about where you want to be someday. It works for me! -submitted by Sydnee. Simone’s tip- This is a great suggestion, but remember: have your inspiration, but don’t try to be it. You are your own dancer, and trying to be someone else isn’t a good idea.
• Leg and Core Muscles- To help build up leg and core muscle for overs you can do leg lifts with ankle weights. Start off small, use a small ankle weight such as 5 lbs. and only do 10 leg lifts up and down. Then do another repition to the where you kick out to the side. Alternate between the two and repeat twice. Upon doing this over time slowly increase the amount of lifts and sides that you can do(10,15,20,25). Don’t do too many too fast cause you can pull a muscle. To help keep you going in doing this exercise try putting on your favorite jam or dance music. -submitted by Madison

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