Submitted by: Jenne Vermes

Contributing Writer

Editor: Anthony LoCascio



The holiday season embraces many kinds of traditions, whether religious, social or otherwise. One of the most time honored traditions of the Holiday Season is what comes a few days after the Cultural Celebrations. It is a day the entire world celebrates: New Years Eve and with it, our personal resolutions. These resolutions are promises people make for themselves as they embark upon a clean slate. While any promise made to do better by one’s self is admirable, when it comes to dancers, some promises are more beneficial than others such as dedication to proper health, well being and especially their careers.

Any resolution a dancer makes to better his or her body is, by far, the best promise that can be made to one-self. While it is important for anyone to be healthy, regardless of their occupation, it is especially imperative for dancers to keep their bodies in the best condition possible as it is their, instrument, their tool of the trade and what allows them to be the dancers or performers they strive to be. For every dancer this promise may include different fitness and wellness goals. Each dancer’s body is unique, and some may benefit from resolving to exercise more often to tone up and get in better physical shape for the remainder of the performance season, while others may promise to make better nutritional choices in order to help fight illness, soreness and improve overall health. Regular exercise, including both cardiovascular and resistance training, is vital to maintaining and enhancing the stamina, flexibility and posture dancers need at every rehearsal and every performance. Also, before New Year's resolutions are even put into effect, making an effort to stay in shape and maintain flexibility through the holidays will help avoid injury when starting back into classes, rehearsals or a show. The healthier and more fit a dancer is, the longer they will be able to dance, making exercise a top choice resolution.

The words “diet” and “exercise” are buzz words at the beginning of the year, as much of the American population uses these words as part of their New Year’s resolution vocabulary. For dancers, these words don’t necessarily follow the typical definition of "shedding pounds," but they are still important. Dieting doesn’t necessarily mean eating less and focusing on losing weight; for dancers, this means taking better account of what they put into their bodies. Dancers, as athletes, may adhere to more specific nutrition requirements such as higher levels of protein and iron. Ideal resolutions regarding diet include promising to drink water, instead of sodas and sugary fruit juices, which will keep blood sugar levels normal and the body fully hydrated. Choosing to pack nutritious snacks for rehearsal, like almonds and fruits, instead of hitting up the vending machines or near by snack stands will also be highly beneficial. Moreover, making a personal vow to let go of unhealthy vices such as smoking or drinking is an ideal resolution for dancers, especially considering the negative effects these actions can have on the human body and thus any performer's career. For those dancers wanting more information on nutrition and diet, a good resource is Diet for Dancers by Robin D. Chmelar and Sally S. Fitt, which can be purchased online from various retail websites or ordered by any local dancewear store.

Another popular resolution for the New Year is the promise to keep excess spending in check, which is pertinent to dancers in this or any economy. Throughout the dance season, expenses are ever present. Class fees, costumes, and equipment costs can really rack up over the course of the year, especially considering some items like pointe shoes and tights need to be replaced often. With all of the catalogues, stores, music downloads, workshop fees, shows, festivals and master classes available, costs are constantly popping up. It may be hard to resist the temptation to buy new tops or new songs when costume and competition fees are due. It may be difficult to say no to the latest styles of legwarmers knowing there are two pairs of pointe shoes that need replacing or repairing before the next performance. So, what do you do? There are ways of helping one’s self stick to this resolution. A great idea is to create a "dance" budget or bank account. Try and figure out fees 6 months to a year in advance. Don't stop putting a few bucks every week into your dance fund just because you met you budget. Keep putting it in so you have surplus. Studios and festivals often offer 1/2 to paid-in-full discounts or scholarships which can alleviate the burden of those bills and free up a chunk of cash. Knowing your necessary expenses ahead of time is key so that you can plan for them accordingly. This will allow for flexibility on impulse purchases and personal happies.We all know there are those of us who just can’t resist the allure of the newest line of leotards.

As imperative as it is staying healthy and financially afloat, another important part of dancing, professionally or recreationally, is education. As the ball drops and the new year arrives, dancers can make an excellent resolution to seek out new classes and further their education as dancers. “My resolution in regards to dance is to try to put my focus on new and unfamiliar areas of the business,” says Danny Wallace, faculty tap instructor with New York City Dance Alliance. “To try new things instead of just doing what I am good at.” A change of style can strengthen the body and even improve the technique in any dancer. A lifelong ballerina could benefit as much from taking a hip hop class, as a tap dancer can from trying their hand at acrobatics. This is evident in music videos and on shows like So You Think You Can Dance. Various styles of dance are constantly merging, and nowadays, dancers must be multifaceted in order to compete in the industry. It never hurts to be well-rounded. Taking extra classes and branching out to other styles is not only beneficial to fitness and technique, it’s guaranteed to add some excitement and variety to a dancer’s typical routine.

New Year’s resolutions give everyone a chance to have a fresh start in the New Year. For dancers, this can be an opportunity of dedication to longevity and success in their art. More important than simply making the promise, though, is following through. If you follow some of these suggestions, create your own ideas or just do something simple for yourself, dancers around the world can make their 2010 New Year’s resolutions surefire success stories.


Editorial: If you would like to share your own resolutions, please feel free to comment. It will be helpful to others, could be fun to document your resolutions and nothing is better than positive, useful commentary. Anthony. Oh, and have a Tappy New Year!