Raise the ‘Barre’ on Your Attitude!
Step into class with an empowered attitude and you’ll improve your performance. A positive, determined mind inspires physical strength and beauty. Your instructors will notice the difference and you will, too!
Everyone has attitudes, and not just one. Do you know that you have attitudes about everything...people, places, events, ideas and things?
An attitude is an expression of your thoughts and emotions about what’s happening around you. These opinions, judgments, beliefs and feelings are observed by your body language. You show your mind, so to speak.
Facial expressions, voice tone, gestures and posture reveal what you are thinking. Instructors can literally read your mind by watching you, and you do not have to say a word! They literally see your attitude. The body can’t tell a lie because your thoughts and your physiology are one unit of expression.
Attitudes can work for you or against you, create tension in the body, or empower the body. Yes, you guessed it—attitudes can add to, or take away from your performance ability.
Negative attitudes hold tension in the body. Those thoughts signal the brain to tell the body to switch on stress mode. When this happens, you lose flexibility, become forgetful, and can even injure yourself. Stress de-energizes you.
A positive open attitude allows you to be present and focused. You feel calmer, emotionally adaptable and clear headed.
Here are two examples:
1. You think (a personal belief) that you deserve the lead role in the upcoming show. Mary is cast and not you (event). You feel angry (emotion). While she rehearses you sit with your arms and legs crossed (body language). You squint angrily and purse your lips at her (facial expression). Teachers observe negative attitude behavior.
2. Your Instructor offers you a correction (event) and you roll your eyes (facial expression), complain to your friends (verbal hostility), and mutter, “I did the best I could.” (voice tone)
Ask yourself this question: Is my attitude open and positive, or hostile and negative? What does my attitude say about me? Is that how I want to be perceived?
After you answer these questions, decide if you want to change your attitude. If the answer is no, realize there could be consequences. A poor attitude disrespects the authority of your instructor, the art form, your peers, and the support of your family.
Attitudes can change without you consciously changing them. Think back a few years and recall an aspect of your dance attitude that has changed. As you mature, you develop new ideas and viewpoints. You are wiser and changes in thinking are a natural part of growing up.
As the new school year begins, look at yourself square in the eyes and make a decision to take the responsibility of attitude adjustment seriously. Vow to become more conscious of how you express yourself, and to understand the thoughts behind these expressions.
In this case, it is all about you. You are in charge of what you think and how you behave, no matter what. You are the power behind the attitude adjustment. Every time you change your attitude, you structure a new reality inside of yourself. Your new attitude will show itself, especially during times of long rehearsals and performance stress.
In the studio, you have attitudes about rehearsals, instructors, costumes, the floor, your body—the list is endless. Some are likely excellent and a few may need an adjustment. You might discover that a complete overhaul is required in one area.
How do you know? Tune in, listen and observe.
Recall a time in class when you had a negative attitude. What happened? What thoughts and emotions did you have? Could those thoughts and emotions mean anything else to you? Look a little deeper. Realize that your attitude does impact others, too.
Take the time to get curious and interested. You’ll get to know yourself in a new way. Raising the bar of awareness is the key.
When your attitude is negative you might experience changes in your environment, too, such as relationship distancing or role reassignments. Comments from instructors and friends can speak loud and clear. One dancer realized that she was frequently staged in the back of the corps because she was dubbed “the whiner.”
We all have bad days. If you do snap inappropriately, take responsibility with an apology and, if appropriate, offer a brief explanation.
Next, decide how you will make the change. Here are some strategies to help you develop the excellent attitude you want.
• Cut short negative thoughts by interrupting the voice in your mind. Tell yourself one of the following statements: “No, I don’t think that way any more.” “I am here to learn.” “I choose to be kind and loving.”
• Exploring the beliefs behind the attitude could be very helpful. Talk with your parents. They can help you understand what it is all about. You can also talk with your instructor (if it is dance-related). If you feel overwhelmed and stressed, it may be a sign that you need some professional assistance. Be courageous and ask for advice.
• Write in a journal about thoughts and emotions that you discover are behind your attitudes. In a few years you’ll look back and discover a wiser you!
• Ask a friend to monitor your progress. She or he can watch you in class and give you feedback. Sometimes we are not aware of how we behave.
• Practice responses in the mirror. You might already know what kinds of situations rattle you. Act out in the mirror how you would like to express yourself. Be well rehearsed.
Everyone can improve by making attitude adjustments. You could discover that your excellent attitude has wings—you could inspire your entire studio!
TWO EXERCISES
1. How to Adjust Your Body Language: