Ideas are worth spreading- and so it shows. Ever since a long time getting your foot in between the door in the dance community, especially if you want to become a professional seems to be a “hard” journey that wouldn’t pay off enough. However, we can begin to question ourselves what happens if we keep on spreading ideas like this. Real art is built on strong foundations, that’s why it’s worth being conscious of which well spread words within the dancer world you like to follow, stand behind on, and spread yourself.
Introduction: Dance is More Than Movement.
Putting your leg up the right way, smiling through pain, and forcing your body to move into certain ways it wasn’t naturally formed to do. Within a lot of cultures those become the status quo, but we must not forget where dance originally came from and what we want to pass onto the next gen. In a lot of cultures dance originally came from a way for people to connect with others, and express themselves in a pure way. It challenges people to show their true nature once they listened to their intuition and communicated themselves through their movement. In that way dance is a powerful connecter. Even though a lot of techniques came from these ways of expression, the basis should still be connection and expression if you ask me. The most interesting moves do stem from the courage to step out of your comfort zone and try new combinations. Who knows you might invent a whole new style?
The power of a positive mindset.
Research says the way we think of ourselves eventually creates the way other perceives us. It’s very interesting how psychology has an influence in your way of being in this world. If you can dream it you can do it, is not just a phrasing that came out of thin air. Think about it, we didn’t land on the moon in 1969 because we thought it would be “too hard”. It was a small step for a man, but a giant one for humankind. And it certainly wouldn’t have happened without human ambition, teamwork, but mostly: a growth mindset. This is why I believe we must get the negative perspectives out of the dancer field and focus on a new way of branding and developing dancers; dancing is the next profession that pays well, is easy to reach and has enough capacity in our society in order to build a well sustaining life from.
Building a better dance community.
When I first entered my dancing school here in Holland; – my teachers kept on spreading ideas on how we have to work very hard to gain enough money to pay rent. Even though I understand this has been their experience, I actively choose a different one for me. And I believe it will pay off. Once we all start spreading the positive word we create a different environment ourselves. But it all relies on the choices we make, so be sure to take accountability for yourself and the dance community.
It all starts with encouragement and sharing knowledge, no one is better then the other, only everyone has a different experience and background. It is our responsibility to create a safe space for everyone; from beginners to experts. Sharing knowledge should be a priority, which, by the way, originates from hiphop itsself where we spread the word: each one teach one. Learning and growing is like a chain reaction, and if we build a healthy chain, the chances of it breaking down halfway get smaller.
There is enough room for everyone to grow in the dance world, another dancers succes doesn’t reduce your own and communities become stronger once we help each other.
How we can all contribute
Give encouragement, choose actively to spread healthy ideas about movement, body(image) and working together with others. Share your journey(and yes, not only the upsides), welcome newcomers, keep learning and celebrate others. But most importantly, keep believing in your vision and execute, don’t let any negative idea that started to walk around this world anywhere influence you. You are way stronger than that.
In conclusion:
Dance is created through movement, but a dance culture is created through people. When we choose positivity, growth, and connections, we don’t just become better dancers- we build a better community.
Btw this mindset is something I experienced firsthand through the following community/program: https://www.instagram.com/ginnypauwcoaching/ It showed me how powerful it can be when people come together with the goal of growing, supporting, and inspiring each other.
Right now the program is open for new applicants, feel free to check it out and most importantly share comments about this article down below. Thank you for your time and patience.