How to Make the Most of Being Quarantined (Dancer Edition)

Hi friends,

I hope you are all continuing to stay safe and positive during this quarantine! I just wanted to thank you for the positive responses to my previous blog post on Body Image -it really meant a lot that I was able to connect with so many of you on what can be such an uncomfortable topic. You all are so strong and inspiring!

Today I wanted to keep us moving in a positive direction so I'm highlighting 5 ways we can make the most of this time off and how they have each helped me personally during this period of uncertainty.

I hope you all enjoy!

I've enjoyed the gift of being able to connect with dancers from all over the world-ones that I've worked with before and new friends I've had the pleasure of getting to know.

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1. We're essentially all enrolled in a build-your-own intensive. We are so fortunate to dance during a time where we have access to all this technology in order to take class from obscure locations!

   Even just five years ago we would have been limited to Youtube live streaming or shaky Skype calls. Today we have the opportunity for a myriad of livestreams on different platforms in addition to the opportunity for individualized attention through Zoom classes. 

Even just five years ago we would have been limited to Youtube live streaming or shaky Skype calls. Today we have the opportunity for a myriad of livestreams on different platforms in addition to the opportunity for individualized attention through Zoom classes. So far, I've enjoyed the gift of being able to connect with dancers from all over the world-ones that I've worked with before and new friends I've had the pleasure of getting to know. The concept of structuring classes through Zoom makes the experience more personal and encouraging, as the instructor can see and help along their students. Of course, it isn't perfect-but its the best we can hope for in our current situation.

{see footage of my class taught by American Ballet Theatre Soloist, Skylar Brandt, Here!}

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2. We can focus on a certain aspect of our technique that has been giving us trouble or that we just want to dissect.

Now in the comfort of your home YOU dictate what it is you will be focusing on. 

If you're constructing your own classes or partaking in one of the many livestreams you have the opportunity to hone in on the specifics and fundamentals of your technique. In a traditional classroom setting you generally have to follow along with the flow of the class (especially as a student). Now in the comfort of your home YOU dictate what it is you will be focusing on.

I have found that in place of a mirror, filming myself doing an exercise has allowed me to really dive into every movement with a different perspective-as my own instructor. I'll replay videos in between combinations in slow-motion and regular speed to really analyze what is working for me and what I can do to improve. (It also means repeating the exercise(s) as many times as I need before moving on to the next component of class-something that isn't possible when you are in someone else's class).

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3. This is a great time for us to not only choose our own classes-as mentioned above- but to also incorporate new forms of cross-training we haven't had the opportunity to try.

             My mom and I now do at least one yoga routine before bed time every single night, which has made quite the difference in my sleep schedule, my muscle recovery, and more importantly how I feel. 

My mom and I now do at least one yoga routine before bed time every single night, which has made quite the difference in my sleep schedule, my muscle recovery, and more importantly how I feel. It's a bonus that this quarantine has gifted us the time to perform this ritual together! This leads me into my fourth point that....

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4. We can take advantage of this abundance of time to share our day with our family (or quarantine buddies).

Normally, rehearsals and classes demand our undivided attention and often result in us missing opportunities for meetings with friends/families during our busiest seasons.

Normally, rehearsals and classes demand our undivided attention and often result in us missing opportunities for meetings with friends/families during our busiest seasons. If you are staying with family (or friends), now is your chance to make up for those moments you may have missed out on and build new memories. We are all living through this pandemic together -and together we will get through it!

Play that board-game with your brother

or even *gasp*

bake a delicious dessert with your mom.

This opportunity is rare, so if you are fortunate to be with your loved ones, make the most of it!

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5. If we have been feeling run down or have been struggling with an injury, now is the time to properly rest up and care for our bodies.

If we are moving in our limited spaces during this time it should be for us- NOT because we see that all of our peers are constantly streaming their at-home workouts. It's not a competition. 

As mentioned in my previous blog post on Body Image During Quarantine , if we are moving in our limited spaces during this time it should be for us- NOT because we see that all of our peers are constantly streaming their at-home workouts. It's not a competition. This is the perfect time to become more in tune with our bodies and make sure we will be at our healthiest when we return to the studio/stage-whenever that may be. It would be a shame if we were to overexert ourselves during this time off and thus come back with an injury!

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....and that's it!

I would love to hear any of your ways you're staying motivated during this time-

Let's keep this discussion going in the comment section down below!

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Stay home and Stay safe!

All the best,

Grace <3