DanceMind: Dear Janie -- Touching Base!

Janie,

Isn't it so nourishing to be home!  What a nice link for you to touch in  with family and friends and then head to your paid dance position overseas!  Time will fly by. Take a few moments to spend the time ... You know how involved a dancers life can be ... so many long hours.  This is good 'soul food' for you to be able to spend this time with your family. I am sure they are thrilled and very proud of you as we all are here on this blog.

With most dancers away for summer intensive, it has been a little more quiet than usual.  I receive so many wonderful notes from dancers with questions or comments about you. It is very special. Thank you all... We love that you are here reading this blog.  Janie, what is amazing is that many of the comments indicate that they have grown with you. Cried with you and cheered you on to your next position.

Caitlyn, TX said this, "I hope Janie writes to us. I would miss her. I am being selfish because I am also learning  a lot here. Please always be Janie."

Jeri, CA wrote, "I was so worried about Janie. I actually cried one night when she was making the decision to leave or not."

This is so cool. I could not ask for more. This was my intention in designing this blog - A place for dancers to talk thru 'things.'  Dance is not just about dance. 

Sanna Carapellotti, MS

www.mentalperformances.com

PS.  Attention : Sleepless Dancers! I got something for you ... Check it out!

Dear Sanna - home life

I cannot believe I have already been home for two weeks. I am soaking up the laziness. I almost feel guilty, not taking full advantage of every moment home, but I am just too content sleeping until almost noon, spending quality time with my puppy (who is 9 but will always be my puppy), and hanging out with my parents! I am so lame. But I like it.

I still take class about 4 times a week and go see my friends, there's just a lot of time at home. I actually gave myself a class at home the other day, because I couldn't make it to the studio. I decided to practice teaching, too, because lately I've been thinking more and more about how I really would like to teach some day. So like a big idiot, I showed and said the combination, did it right and left with the music, and corrected myself. Haha hopefully nobody was walking by to peak in the curtains, because I'm sure I looked like a crazy person talking to myself while dancing in my dining room.

I actually met my old ballet teacher yesterday to catch up. She is the one who encouraged me to go away two years ago, and I really feel like I owe a lot to her for getting me where I needed to be to take the next step in my training. It was so nice, we chatted for almost two hours before we both needed to go, and she gave me some great insight and advice. I think I'll share the two biggest pieces of advice she gave for all of you out there:

1) Keep up with college. Even just one class every 6 months, just to stay on top of it. She suggests UC Berkeley online, because it's relatively inexpensive, you can do it from anywhere because it's all online, and you have 6 months to complete the course, with no deadlines in between. I like that you can manage your own time. The website is http://www.unex.berkeley.edu/

2) If at all possible, start a retirement fund. Ask your company if they have any sort of program where they will match the amount you place in your retirement fund, because this is all non-taxable money that will grow and be incredibly helpful in the future. My dad will be happy to hear about this one

Janie

DanceMind: Dear Janie -- Relax!

Janie, Janie, Janie,

This is the time for R & R. Most 'company' members take a breather during the summer months to allow the body to regenerate, rest and rebuild.  :)

Give yourself permission to spend time with family and friends, go have some good fun! If you are concerned about staying in shape there are many ways to do that. Consider working your body in a new way ... Hot yoga, Ashtanga yoga, or pilates, take a different kind of ballet class. Visit different studios. 

It is difficult to let go of a routine as rigorous as ballet. It has been described as being "sprung!"

Boing!   Believe you will be working soon enough. So give it a try to continue training, yet offering some variety.

The other issue may be flexibility. Family and friends may not understand your need to train. 

You might be able to have a list of possibilities so when you Mom says, "let's go shopping!"  you can plan to to take an early morning class, or a later class.

You have been working very hard in the last weeks.  Yes, this may seem like the easy part. Being in the 'middle' of change is where you are.  STAY IN THE MOMENT.  It is like Tarzan swinging from tree to tree. He knows where he is headed and enjoys the flight!  :)

IT IS SUMMERTIME -- Get outdoors. Go on a picnic. Leisurely sit at a coffee shop and read. 

Begin a craft or hobby.  

You'll be packing again soon enough! 

YOU DID IT!!!!

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CCHT

Sanna is a Performance Specialist with a focus on performers.  Her clients are dancers, musicians, photographers, etc who want to perform better.  She is an expert de-stresser for performance, audition, surgery, and healing.  Contact her at 412.344.2272

Dear Sanna - I thought this was supposed to be the easy part!

I am desperately trying to stay in shape. Of course it is nice to see my friends and family, and I am having fun, but I cannot believe how busy I am! I am still waiting to be bored, as everyone warned me a summer off would be, and I expected. But this has been the fastest week of my life! There is always something to do or be done.

Even when I do make it to ballet class (which is about 4 times a week, so I can't really complain) I am not used to the small studios or slippery floors, plus I am sore from not dancing enough and the plane, etc. What I tough life I lead on vacation!

Haha I am only kidding - it's fine, just not quite as relaxing as I expected. But as my grandma always said, I can sleep when I'm dead, right?

More soon,

Janie

DanceMind: Dear Janie -- We miss you!

Janie, I know you are visiting with family, resting and taking class. This is a good time for you to take a break and recharge yourself.

When I return here later I will discuss a few tings that can be helpful to those of you going off to summer intensive.

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CCHT

Performance Specialist

DanceMind:Dear Janie, You have Landed

You have closed a chapter.

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CCHT

Performance Specialist

Dear Sanna - MOVING IS HARD

As I mentioned earlier, the full impact of the changes haven't really sunk in yet, so it is very exciting as each aspect becomes more and more real to me. And now, a story:

So I'm in the airport, pushing the limits as usual. Each of the two suitcases I checked (even though I had to pay extra for the second. grrr) is on a scale, and I'm transferring items from one to the other until each weighs exactly 50.5, the maximum before you're charged for overweight baggage. How I managed to pack exactly 101 pounds worth of things is a miracle I happily accept without question. For now we'll ignore the ridiculous weight of what I've already shipped home. But really the whole point of this story is that the incredibly patient and nice woman checking me in (it helped that I was about 3 hours early for once in my life and there was nobody else in the airport) was helping me transfer and shove things. She noticed my pointe shoes and asked if I was a professional, and I had an epiphany! I have a job next year... meaning I will be paid to dance... meaning... I AM A PROFESSIONAL BALLERINA! wohoooo! It's funny that I had to see it through a stranger's point of view to realize how cool that is! I just had to share.

But enough of Janie bragging and telling long, dramatic stories all for stating the obvious... can I just say moving is really HARD. Even though I'm really kind of callous to the emotional difficulties of moving right now, it is just hard work! My arms were shaking today from all the heavy lifting. I'm hoping I take away from this experience not only the fact that I am a pack rat, which I already knew, but maybe the first steps in changing that about myself. I have given away more in the past month than I think I have given away in all my life combined. And there's still so much! I've been trying this technique lately and it helps a little. I ask myself if somebody else would think I was sick for keeping something, and if the answer is yes, then it goes. Such as, a vogue dated holiday 2006. Granted, it was really thick and I continuously found cool stuff in it up to this day, but the idea of saving that without any specific thing that made it special sounded sick, so I tossed it. It's a start at least...

Janie

DanceMind: To All - IMPORTANT Free gift!

I want to thank all of you who have emailed me personally and have responded with comments.

Your support have indicated that this service has value and does help not only Janie, but you as our reader as well. That was my plan - to help as many people as I can.  DRAWING BELOW!

As Janie moves, travels and finds her new place in the world of dance and the world. Stay with us because we can help her and you can help yourself as well.

Please tell your friends about DanceMind.  We want to get the word out that Dancers can strengthen through developing mind power - on purpose!

DRAWING --  I am going to draw a name for a FREE Stepping to Sleep CD. All you have to do is email me and say "Put my name in!"  We will be drawing on June 20th. SO if you have are tossing and turning, this is your chance to put it to rest. You will sleep! This is the program that Dance magazine recommended in the June 2008 article, The Science of Sleep

DO it now so you will be included -  Send Name and email -- Sanna@mentalperformances.com

Just for signing up you will receive a free download for summer travel safety and be invited to attend a summer tele-seminar -- Enjoy The Jitters! lead by me!

'

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CCHT

Performance Specialist

DanceMind: Dear Janie -- Changes r real now ....

Janie,

This is a growing time for you. Stay with the experience. Thru time you carry all that you have learned with you. It has become who you are.

You have shown that you care in many ways. How can you say you are heartless? You are courageous, strong and incredibly sensitive. Many many different emotions run thru us during times of major change. It is best to ride the waves. Let yourself move thru them.  Just be with them. It feels painful, it feels surreal, it feels impatient, it feels sad -- but it is real and honest. You will be missed and you will miss your city, friends, dance, teachers, apartment, the weather, you fav lunch place.

Grab a notebook and jot down what you have loved, things you will not forget about your studio and teachers. I am certain that each teacher has given you many 'gifts' that you will always carry with you as you dance and thru life.  You have more than you know at this very minute.

As you step away, be proud of who you have become.

Love ya kiddo,

Sanna Carapellotti, MS

Performance Specialist

PS -- Stepping to Sleep - Yes! You can sleep better!

Dear Sanna - Ch ch ch ch changes!

I have to tell you that I had to listen to David Bowie when I saw your last post. I am such a dork.

I sold my car! What a relief! I won't even go into that drama...

I am also selling a few other large, unnecessary possessions, such as my bed, but I must say the hardest thing I've parted with so far was about 4 shopping bags full of clothing. I brought them to ballet, though, and the girls were thrilled beyond belief, so it was a little easier than just dumping the things at goodwill. I also saw many of my discarded pieces modeled this week, which made me feel better, since I'm sure most of that would end up sitting in my closet at my parents' house.

It's been hard to say goodbye to people and things, like realizing it was the very last time I would be driving my car, taking class at the studio, seeing my friends, but I think it hasn't really quite hit me yet.

It's funny because I think I used up all my tears when I was little. I used to be such a sap! Every year I would bawl at spring show when I thought about all my friends who were graduating and leaving me behind, but I can't cry over it anymore! I know crying won't help matters, but I feel heartless when I feel absolutely no need to cry over goodbyes. I'll miss everyone, but I'm excited for the future, so I guess it's good I'm not sad about it, but I do feel silly when the tears do finally come when I've had a stressful day and the lady at the post office won't let me mail my package (true story I'm sad to say).

Anyway 3 days left here!!! I plan on making them a good 3 days, too, despite the crappy weather ;)

Janie

DanceMind: Dear Janie -- Changes

Hello there Janie,

I had to step away to prepare for several presentations on Sleep!   How did something so necessary and natural become a stress!  We have to, and can't ...  There are many aspects of sleep that are unknown and somethings we do know.  I continually read and study. Mainly because I noticed some years ago that when my clients are feeling better, they sleep and when they sleep better they feel better. Enough rambling...

You  must be busy packing up!  You talked about selling your car. Did you have any luck and do you have a plan B in it does not sell?

I can only imagine the 'good-byes.' There is a camaraderie among dancers that is strong in the end.  Sometimes silent there is a deep connection of understanding.  One client referred to it as a 'club you do not officially belong to, you just step into the studio and you are a member.'

As you spring board off into the professional world, I am looking forward to hearing  of your experiences.  Keep us posted with all that you are doing, even your travel, the stuff in between here and there, or there and there. 

Bless you!, Janie. This is the adventure of a life time.

Sanna Carapellotti, MS CCHT

Performance Specialist

PS - If you are going to Summer Intensive (Duh!),  there is lots to get ready for after school/graduation parties.  How exciting it is to meet new friends, teachers and dance in different studios! You 'll be in a new city, involved in social events.  I always enjoyed hearing my daughters adventures. Always good clean fun and lots of laughs.

We have a few offerings for you so you can sleep better while you are away. 

Stepping to Sleep is now ON SALE.  Whether you sleep well or not, this programs actually helps you to improve the quality of your sleep. You will feel so good in the morning!

Dance Magazine recommended the program too! That is really cool. You know you are receiving a high quality product that works!  

Read what David says -  "It was so easy to fall asleep! I did not have to do anything. You just lie back and Sanna says all this cool dancer imagery and you drift off to sleep. I was very rested in the morning."

Click here to read all about, and to buy Stepping To Sleep

It is on Sale now for you to take to summer intensive AND there are FREE gifts you will love!

Dance Magazine recommends --

Stepping to Sleep in this month's issue!  June 2008!

I am so honored. We can get the word out that sleeping is important!. You have to sleep in order to perform your best.  I have placed the program is on Sale and I have created a Performance Package that is very exciting with 5 free offerings!

Go to my site and read about these exciting programs.  Performance Package, (with free gifts and an opportunity). The Audition CD, and Stepping to Sleep.

Janie, I will talk with you tonight. I have a meeting now --- This very exciting for you. I have had several questions if you are going to blog! I appreciate you responding to that~ and mostly that you will continue to blog through this experience.

Sincerely,

Sanna Carapellotti, MS