[vc_row disable_background_image=”” simple_background_image=”26756″][vc_column][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”100px”][vc_column_text]Throughout our lives, finding balance is a continual, ever-changing process. Whether it is trying to balance being in school and our relationships or balancing work and our personal life and our hobbies, it is something everyone must work on and refine to find what works best for them. For dancers in particular, there comes a unique balancing act. [/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]We know this finding balance is not a small feat, and we want to offer some simple suggestions for how Houston dancers can balance their life. We know that dance is your life, but life is so much more than what you are passionate about as your career. We want to encourage you to be sure you carve out time for your family, friends, other hobbies, and passions.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]
“…finding balance in your life is going to be a key component to avoiding burnout and not only performing your best, but also feeling the best you possibly can.”
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]When you are a devoted dancer, whether that is professional or otherwise, you are most likely giving a great portion of your time and energy to improving your skills and growing in your practice. As we have mentioned many times before when we talk about staying mentally fit and taking care of yourself, finding balance in your life is going to be a key component to avoiding burnout and not only performing your best, but also feeling the best you possibly can.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]We have learned from the intimate balancing experiences dancers on our team have personally faced throughout their lives, as well as having the privilege to work alongside countless dancers in Houston, that offering ways Houston dancers can balance their life is one of the best ways we can support you.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]
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Cultivate Friendships
Friendships are one of the sweetest gifts in life. Friends enrich our lives. They also help us celebrate the exciting moments and are there when we need support during the tougher times. It might seem so simple, but it is easy to get so swept up in the hustle that we forget to come back to the core things that nurture us like friendship. This article does a beautiful job of explaining the importance of cultivating friendships.
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“Although it is so easy to view your fellow dancers as competition, they are also the only people in the world who can truly relate to everything, all of the nuanced details, you are going through as a dancer.”
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]If you can cultivate friendships in your dance environment especially, this is so powerful. Think of how much time you spend dancing. Although it is so easy to view your fellow dancers as competition, they are also the only people in the world who can truly relate to everything, all of the nuanced details, you are going through as a dancer. Aside from decreasing loneliness, friendships are actually physically good for our health. This means that having solid friendships is one of the best ways you can support your dance practice. Furthermore, your friends can be the best support system to hold you accountable in working toward your goals and helping you stay focused on what really matters.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text]
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Food
Food is a vital piece of the conversation in how Houston dancers can balance their life. It is your fuel. You are an athlete, which means you must properly nourish your body so that you can keep doing the rigorous physical activities you do daily as a dancer. Nutrition and fueling our bodies helps with preventing fatigue so that you can make it through all of those hours of classes, the rehearsals, and the performances. If we do not support our bodies by giving them enough fuel, our ability to perform is going to take a hit.
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“It is important to make sure you are getting enough macronutrients, which include carbohydrates, fat, and protein.”
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]After any period of dancing, your muscles are going to need to be replenished. It is best to refill your muscle stores within about a two-hour window after dancing so that you are able to face your next activity without impaired performance. It is important to make sure you are getting enough macronutrients, which include carbohydrates, fat, and protein. All of these are essential to optimal nourishment, which leads to you feeling strong and energetic, and therefore, performing your very best.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]This article provides a fantastic outline for how Houston dancers can balance their life with nutrition. We suggest working with a professional as well because every person’s body is different and has different needs at different times. You know your body best and should work alongside someone who can help you figure out what will best serve you.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][vc_column_text]
School
School and education are, of course, important for a large number of reasons. However, when it comes to how Houston dancers can balance their life, school is another key component. This is because school and learning help you to take your mind off of dance and give your full focus to something else that is still engaging your mind. School helps you figure out how you learn, better understand yourself in a wide array of areas, as well as discover hobbies outside of dance. Sure, school teaches us about things like history, math, and science, but it also teaches us so much more than that. It truly can be one of the best means to deepen your understanding of who you are and what you want in life.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text]
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Live in the Moment
The brilliant spiritual teacher and author, Eckhart Tolle, wrote, “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.” It is so easy to get caught up in ruminating over something in the past that you think you could have done better or wondering how things would be if you would not have said or done that thing. The same is true for thinking about the future and playing through all of the possible “what if” scenarios. Truly, the only moment that matters is the present moment.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]
“Eckhart Tolle, wrote, “Time isn’t precious at all, because it is an illusion. What you perceive as precious is not time but the one point that is out of time: the Now. That is precious indeed. The more you are focused on time—past and future—the more you miss the Now, the most precious thing there is.””
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Allow yourself to live quietly and softly. Experience your days to the fullest and savor every drop of joy you can by doing what you truly love and enjoy. You will look back and miss these moments in your life, so experience them to the fullest and as much as you can while they are here. Whether they are the moments that feel gritty and painful, or the moments that just fill you to the brim with pride and joy, it is our hope for you to be fully present in them. We truly believe living in the moment is such a beautiful way that Houston dancers can balance their life.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text]
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Love your Uniqueness
If you do not feel like YOU fit, that just might mean that whatever company or studio you are currently with may actually not fit YOU. So often, we are quick to be hard on ourselves and think we are the ones to “blame” (though there is no blame here; it is simply a truth that we jive better in certain environments). However, we want to encourage you to remember your uniqueness is your greatest gift. Do not try to fit into anyone else’s mold. There will always be a different place that sees who and what you are, and that is exactly what they love about you.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]
“You know your needs best. You know what is going to help you feel truly balanced and at peace so that you can thrive better than anyone.”
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]Whether it is your own uniquely beautiful body, your personality, your expressiveness, or your energy, these are all the ingredients that make you… well, YOU! And you are great just as you are. We promise that the right people will be able to acknowledge this and welcome you with open arms, and you will feel at home, too.[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”60px”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/6″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”30px”][vc_column_text]We know that as a dancer, you are going to be constantly juggling and trying to manage all areas of your life at once. With the right tools and focus, however, you can find balance and live the fullest and happiest life you want. Do not be afraid to ask for help at any time, nor to restructure your priorities if you feel they need it. You know your needs best. You know what is going to help you feel truly balanced and at peace so that you can thrive better than anyone.
[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space height=”15px”][vc_column_text]We hope you feel more confident in the ways Houston dancers can balance their life. Additionally, it is our goal to help you feel empowered in your discernment by being better equipped with some of these suggestions when you are prioritizing. Most of all, we hope you will continue to offer yourself a deep level of compassion as you figure out what balance looks like for you. We are rooting for you!
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Want to capture your dancing?
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We can capture your unique personality and style. We have Sessions for dance auditions as well as Creative Sessions, which offer a large range of diverse options.
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