How to get the most out of your online dance lessons

We’ve all heard that keeping routine in these times is important – from getting ready for work to setting times for homeschool activities. Dance routines are important too. If your studio has transitioned to remote learning and your dancer is still able to do their lessons, they’ll learn better if they’re ready for class properly.

How to get the most out of your online dance lessons:

PREPARE A SAFE SPACE TO DANCE

Just like in your studio, it is important to have a safe dance space at home. Once you’ve selected the space that will become your makeshift studio start by clearing some room – push the furniture out of the way if you can and move loose items that may be in your way. There’s nothing quite as annoying as having your perfect pirouette end in disaster when you know a table lamp over.

Make sure you’ve turned off any ceiling fans and open a window if you can – fresh air is so good for you! Check that the floor you are dancing on wont ruin your dance shoes – or your shoes wont ruin the floor (I’m looking at you tappers). Jazz shoes, ballet shoes and pointe shoes will be fine for most indoor floors.

SET YOURSELF A SCHEDULE

Do you usually have dance class at a set time each week? Try to do your online class at that time. If you’re used to ballet on Monday at 5pm, and jazz on Tuesday at 6pm followed by lyrical, try to stick to your normal timetable if you can. Use other times throughout the week for extra stretching and practicing. If you can stick to a schedule that is as close to normal as possible, you’ll be much more likely to stick with it! Plus, when the world goes back to normal and you get to return to your studio, you’ll be used to it.

Remember the importance of a warm up and cool down. Before your lesson, make sure you have taken some time to get your body moving and safely stretched. You don’t want to cause an injury that will keep you stuck on the couch instead of dancing in your loungeroom.

LET OTHERS KNOW

Let other members of your house know you’ll be taking dance class – they’ll know not to interrupt you or walk in the way and cop a grands battements to the face! Just like at the studio, you want to be able to focus completely on the task at hand. You’ll learn better that way.

DRESS FOR CLASS

Part of what makes us feel ready for dance class is being dressed properly – it’s time to get out of your trackies and into your leotard. Being appropriately attired for your class not only feels better, but it helps with your range of movement. Have you ever tried doing a contemporary class in jeans? It just doesn’t work.

To prepare properly for class make sure you are wearing the correct uniform and dance shoes – [Handy tip: if you’re worried about your floors and tap shoes, pop some socks on top and a towel down]. If your feet feel right, dancing is so much better. If you’ve grown out of your dance shoes don’t struggle through the pain of squishing your feet into them. Reach out to us, we’re well stocked and our boutiques can be opened by appointment for you – or we can post to you. If you’re going to dance at home, you may as well do it properly.

Put your hair in to keep it off your face and take off jewellery that may get in your way – just like you would for class inside your studio.

Lastly, grab your notebook and a pen for corrections, questions or technique tips, a water bottle and a sweat towel and you’re all set for a productive virtual lesson

Stay safe and keep dancing

Alisa