Saturday, November 7, 2009

Dear Sanna - Bad Medicine

There is a ballet we did all last year, which I frankly do not like at all. It's actually a classical ballet, so at least it's not some creepy modern thing or bad choreography by the director, but there's a lot of character acting involved, and it's just really not my thing. Especially because I barely do anything since it was casted when I was very new in the company.

This year I at least get to dance a nice part I wasn't in last year (in a pretty tutu!), which helps, but it's very short and kind of stressful. The part I really have my eye on, I actually am second cast, which is encouraging, but it's not at all clear if second cast will ever do it. We have actually been trying to rehearse ourselves (there are two girls in each cast) whenever we get the chance and ask other dancers for help, because the teachers aren't really that concerned with the part at all, let alone second cast. But if they would think about it, it's really smart to have two casts because we will take this ballet on tour where there are shows every day, and it will be extremely tiring for one cast. They have actually mentioned switching, they just aren't that active about it.

It's really interesting because my partner and I are very different dancers. Different bodies, different schooling, different thought process, and we have to dance together and look the same. And without proper rehearsal, this is even more difficult. We are working very hard together to get it right. My bad medicine is to really push and be flirty and aggressive, while my opposite has to concentrate on making nice lines. It's really interesting to see the different ways we work, and I think this will be a good learning experience for both of us as dancers.

Janie

P.S. Sorry about the language!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

DanceMind : Language, Janie ...

Hello, there kiddo,
I did make a change of THAT word. We have many young readers and even though it would be accurate and honest to tell the whole story correctly, sometimes we need to leave out the 'descriptives.' Thanks for telling about your experience.

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CHt
DanceMom
Hypno-Therapist
Performance Coach

Saturday, October 31, 2009

Dear Sanna - Confidence

It's such a funny thing, what can affect my level of confidence. I felt great this week. Much more relaxed, excited but under control. It was like the first performance was the equivalent of those nerves I always feel right before I go on stage, and then once I'm out there the feeling disappears. Each show after the first I became more and more relaxed. The director was happy after each show, always saying it was better than the day before. Every day I was told that I don't use the corrections I am given (which are not THAT specific or clear might I add, like "attack it more!" or "use your head!"), but I think this is partially the director's way of keeping a running communication with me. Sometimes I know that I followed corrections (like be more stage left) and I still get the same correction the next day, even when I know I OVERcorrected the problem. So I think this is just the director's way of communication and it's okay.

A stage worker actually told me the other day (excuse the language, but this is a direct quote) "F*****' A", which I must say is probably one of the best compliments I ever got. It was after dancing in the new part I'm always talking/stressing about. In this specific section, I dance with a partner and another couple, the other girl being the prima ballerina of the company. It is amazing that somebody could compliment me on this part, dancing next to such a mature, beautiful dancer who I admire so much.

And lately this week, it's as if people know about my confidence problem and are trying to help me, because I just keep hearing more and more nice little things that brighten my day. I can't exactly describe it, but just these stupid little compliments or even a smile from somebody can completely lift my mood.

Here's hoping to more great weeks like this :) Happy Halloween!

Janie

Monday, October 26, 2009

DanceMind:DEAR JANIE:Body Image

We must love our bodies.

Beauty, shape and size tend to be associated with external factors, success as, lead parts, fitting into a certain costume that someone very thin wore, or how much money we make, or the friends we have.  You MUST REALIZE that pitting yourself against those factors WHiCH ARE TEMPORARY create us to lose our ground as they pass. You will always search for something to define yourself, to compare yourself to, align with outside of yourself. 

Have you noticed that you will never measure up and sometimes you feel good and then your lose your reference point?  External references keep you sad, depressed and confused about your true value and worth.  If  YOU BELIEVE you are wrinkly, thick thighed or thin lipped then your definition of yourself focuses on a physical attribute and eliminates the qualities you have.

Notice the inner dialogue you have about your body? How much does it define how you feel? Alone? or socially (walking across the studio?) 

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CHt
DanceMom
Therapist
Performance Coach

Sunday, October 25, 2009

WATCH THIS VIDEO TO SEE HOW WE ARE DUPED.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcFlxSlOKNI

Sorry - I forgot to LINK it.

Ask yourself - What is real?

Sanna 
DanceMom
Therapist
Performance Coach

P.S.   I put the Rest in your Sleep.   Stepping to Sleep for dancers. Recommended by Dance Mag.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

FIND YOUR BEAUTY

It is up to your to shine your light from the inside out. I know it is quirky, but true.

Dance is tough on mind and body. Dealing with negative critical people is one aspect of performance. Some people will NEVER like your performance style, your body shape, your hair color .... and on and on. The more you step into the spot light the bigger your imperfections become (look at some of todays stars, family members, friends, politicians, other human beings). Mostly because what we look at daily is an illusion created by a computer. 

Ever heard of a Troll. They are critics. They seek to demean and criticize AND GAIN PLEASURE FROM IT. 

A. critics will always be criticizing 
B. They rarely are creative other than with their words and comments
C. You must ignore them, otherwise YOUR INNER voice echoes them.'

Are you a troll of yourself?


Sanna Carapellotti, MS CHt

DanceMom. Therapist. Performance Coach.

http://www.mentalperformances.com


Dance Mind

I need help. I have a dynamic woman I am going to set an audio interview with for dancers. She talks about these issues of body love and hate. WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME?
9:00 PM? 8:30PM ? You can listen in and it will also be recorded.

I am working on this for you all so you can heal this part of you that does not live fully in your body, within yourself. ANY negativity drains your life force and creativity. No matter who says what or who does anything, you are and must be in control of what you believe about yourself.

Back to you ... Email me directly if you want to talk on the program about dancers and body image.
sanna@mentalperformances.com. I will also be asking for YOUR QUESTIONS>

Dear Sanna - Not nervous, excited!

How could I forget the lessons I learned last year? These knots in my stomach I've been feeling all week are exactly the excitement I was asking for. I hate performing without feeling, so I need to regard this not negatively as "nervous", but in a positive way as excitement. I am happy and ready for a chance to dance on stage and really perform. It will be fun! No matter what happens, I am getting to do what I love on stage.

The more I enjoy every moment, the more it shows in my dancing, and the less I sabotage myself by over-thinking the steps.

As for loving myself unconditionally, I understand that this would improve my dancing, and I wish I could just turn on or off self-confidence. But that's what makes it so hard. I can't just say I love myself unconditionally and make it happen. Maybe I will learn to, but in the mean time I am just trying to focus on the positive.

Also, I think a funny exercise I made up for myself is helping. If I feel self-conscious or see somebody watching me, I focus completely on them, instead of trying to ignore it. Almost just like the nerves, I try to use their once distracting looks as support while I dance. If I just stare back, I can dance through it. If I try to pretend I don't see them, I lose my focus.

Interesting how many things go through my mind while I dance.

Janie

Friday, October 23, 2009

DanceMind:DEAR JANIE:Body Image

Question: What if I told you that if you loved yourself unconditionally your dancing would improve? What would you respond?

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CHt
Dance Mom
Therapist
Performance Coach