Passion for Dance

It takes a lot of positive mental skills to learn how to focus on small improvements every day and not give up when you don't feel like you're making the progress you want. Many dancers focus on getting the turns, learning choreography quickly, scoring well in their solo, but they don't focus on how to make those things happen. You don't have to make huge strides every day in order to achieve those goals; it's all about the daily habits that make the difference, striving for 1% better than yesterday. If you focus on the end result or focus on other people, you'll miss your opportunity for growth. Instead, focus on getting 1% better. In this episode, I’ll be talking about the 1% rule, why change doesn’t happen overnight, and how you can build your confidence through repetition. Dancers, if you get discouraged in class or feel like other dancers are learning faster than you and are always better than you, listen in! Submit a Question to Dr Chelsea: https://chelseapierotti.com/question Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/182

When it comes to a focused mindset, I'll admit that I'm one of those psychologists who talks about the benefit of intention. I personally always set a word for the year that serves as my overarching intention, and I often set daily intentions when I sit down to work, but I want to bring this into the dance studio. Being able to clearly focus and be drilled in with an intention will have a big, positive impact on the way dancers practice. In today’s episode I'll cover why intention helps direct focus and how you can use it to be more present and attentive while you take class. I’ll share with you the difference between goals and intentions, the value in being specific with your intentions, and how to bring these intentions into class. Tune in to learn more about the benefits of setting intentions as a dancer - mental focus takes time, but I promise the payback is incredible! Submit Questions to the Podcast: https://chelseapierotti.com/question Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/181

Many coaches today struggle with accountability on their teams or in the studio. We want dancers who do the hard work and follow through with their promises. Truly accountable dancers own up to their mistakes and do what they say they're going to do even when no one's watching. It's all about being accountable to each other, and the best leaders know how to do that. Today’s episode is for dancers! I’ll be sharing with you why the very best leaders make mistakes and focus on personal accountability. I'm going to explain exactly what to do if you want to be a strong leader on your team. I’ll talk about how leaders model accountability, the importance of challenging our own self-talk, and how creating simple, fun gestures can help you stay accountable to your team. Tune in to hear what it takes to be the dancer who is being a positive role model for everyone else! Take the Podcast Quiz for a Currated Podcast List: https://chelseapierotti.com/quiz Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/180

I often hear from dancers they say some pretty mean things to themselves they’d never say out loud or to a friend. For some reason, it’s so easy for us to get caught in negative spirals where we berate ourselves for a mistake or convince ourselves we’re not good enough, and sometimes that little voice is not always so encouraging, and telling yourself, “I've got this,” and basically talking yourself into a good mood doesn't always work. Sometimes it feels disingenuous or fake, and you don't believe yourself. So what do you do when positive self-talk or saying those positive affirmations feels fake? In today’s episode we’ll break down the three types of self-talk, focusing on instructional self-talk, and I’ll share about the impact of developing cues that speak to you, practicing regularly, and keeping it simple. Tune in to learn why speaking positively to yourself doesn't always work and what to do instead! Currated Podcast List - know where to start! https://chelseapierotti.com/podcastquiz Other Episode Resoures: https://chelseapierotti.com/179

Do you use the cues to “pull up” or “point your toes”? Those are common cues teachers use in the dance world. One mental skill I talk about is attention and learning how to take a cue like “pull up” and translate that to a helpful action on your body. I know some dancers hear your cue and then nothing happens, but my guest today has some great insights to help us understand what dance teachers should know about dance science and how to use it in their curriculum. Today’s guest is Maria Haralambis, an expert in dance kinesiology who currently works as both a ballet teacher and advisor for many dance education platforms. In this episode, we’ll discuss the importance of bringing dance science into curriculums and shifting the way we think about anatomy, along with balance and spotting tips and the language to use when cueing to ensure each dancer understands what you’re asking of them from an anatomy standpoint. Listen in while we talk dance anatomy and how to use that knowledge to train turns and balance and so many important skills! Connect with Maria on Her Website: https://www.thedancescientist.com/ Listen to Maria’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5XcLTaJqxWtzIcEL0C4YiV?si=377bf7f0d3364451 Follow Maria on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.dancescientist/ Follow Passion for Dance: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/178  

I see so many frustrated dance teachers talking about how it feels harder and harder to get dancers to be fully committed to their teams and their studios. We want our dancers to be 100% committed, and anything less is frustrating. However, there's this growing phenomenon called conditional commitment, which basically means, “I'm committed but only under certain circumstances,” and yes, that is very different from the idea of giving 100% no matter what. There is room for shifting moods and feelings, but there's not room for shifting discipline and commitment. In today’s episode we’ll break down the difference between conditional commitment and unconditional commitment. I’ll share ways for dancers to improve their own team dedication along with strategies for coaches and teachers to help their dancers as well. Let's talk about conditional commitment! Leave a voice note for the podcast: www.chelseapierotti.com/message Connect with me on Instagram www.instagram.com/dr.chelsea.pierotti Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/177

Have you ever wanted to ask a mental performance coach what to do in a certain situation? Do you have a dancer who's getting overly anxious before competition, or you're not sure how to get your dancers to be fully committed? I want to be a resource for you - the place you can come to ask questions and receive concrete advice. This episode is all about common misconceptions and questions I get about commitment, accountability, punishment, and all things team dynamics. To top it off, I decided to bring on a special guest, who is a fellow mental performance consultant, so we could talk about it together. My guest today is Demi Agaiby, a Mental Performance Consultant & Director of Beyond Horizons Performance based in Chicago, IL. In this episode, we’ll both share our professional opinions and advice about tough love, understanding your emotions, team commitment, and how having a bad day doesn't mean you have an excuse to have a bad practice. There are not many other consultants who understand dance and all the things that make dancers special and unique, but tune in for a special conversation between two former dancers who are now mental performance consultants! Leave your Questions for Dr Chelsea:  www.chelseapierotti.com/message Connect with Demi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondhorizonsperformance/ Positive Team Culture Freebie:  http://beyondhorizonsperformance.com/digital-resources/a-coachs-guide-on-how-to-develop-a-positive-team-culture/ Follow Passion for Dance: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/176  

One thing that separates good dancers from great dancers is their ability to believe in themselves. It's true for students, teachers, and professionals. When you're pursuing any dream at any stage of life, there is so much power in believing in yourself. But that's a lot easier to say than to actually do. It's hard to translate that into real progress. In today’s episode, I’ll be sharing about having faith in yourself and believing in your abilities so that you can take that first step towards your goals. We’ll talk about the importance of shifting  your perspective and how, spoiler alert, there really is no top of the staircase. If you've ever wished you had a little more confidence to get started at something new, I'm going to tell you how to take that first step! “Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Leave a message for Dr. Chelsea: https://chelseapierotti.com/message Follow the show: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/175  

Are you a flexible dancer or have easily hyperextended joints? Dancers with hypermobile joints might love the ability to show off tricks and skills as a dancer, but is it dangerous to be that hypermobile? I’ve been wanting to talk to a medical professional about hypermobile joints in dancers, so my guest today, a dancer turned doctor, is here to explain it all! Dr. Linda Bluestein is renowned for her expertise in hypermobility disorders. As the founder of Hypermobility MD, she offers specialized medical care to individuals grappling with all these kinds of conditions. And Dr. Bluestein is the driving force behind Bendy Bodies, a worldwide coaching practice aimed at empowering and supporting individuals with hypermobility, many of whom are dancers. Dr. Bluestein is also the founder and host of a wonderful podcast, Bendy Bodies with Hypermobility MD, where she shares valuable insights and resources. In this episode, I asked Linda all the questions I think dancers and dance teachers might ask. Dr. Bluestein clarifies the difference between hypermobility and flexibility, when hypermobility is concerning and when it's not, and when and how to get help. She also shared why gut health and flat feet are often related to hypermobility, which I found really interesting, and she has very practical, helpful advice for dance teachers as well. Listen into this crash course in hypermobility with Dr. Linda Bluestein! Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/174 Connect with Dr. Bluestein on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hypermobilitymd/ Hypermobility MD’s Website: http://www.hypermobilitymd.com Listen to Bendy Bodies with Hypermobility MD Podcast: http://www.bendybodiespodcast.com Follow the Bendy Bodies Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bendy_bodies/ Connect with Linda on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hypermobilitymd/  

For many teams, be it school teams or studios, we are entering a new season. Wouldn't it be great if we could establish strong, positive cultures from the beginning? When an athlete quits in the middle of the season, it usually causes drama, stress, and a lot of extra work. Generally speaking, as coaches and teachers, we strive to create a culture of team commitment where athletes stay invested all season, year after year. In today’s episode, I'll be sharing three specific strategies you can use to establish a resilient commitment in your dancers this year. Whether you coach a four-year school program or at a studio where your teams cross all ages, team commitment is vitally important. Tune into today’s episode to learn about these three simple steps to improve athlete-coach relationships and encourage genuine commitment from your dancers! Dance Coach Membership Relevé: https://chelseapierotti.com/membership More Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/173

We often label our dancers without even meaning to do it, even if it's only in our heads and we never say it out loud. You know who your solid turner is, who is lazy, who has style, and who you can depend on to know the counts. As we get to know our dancers, we inadvertently label them. We have a lot of power over our dancers’ journeys, and we carry a lot of influence on them, so let's make sure we aren't allowing our expectations and the labels that we assign to have too much sway in our dancers’ training. In today’s episode, I’ll be talking about how our expectations as teachers shape our dancers’ abilities. We’ll discuss the impact labeling has on your dancers, and I’ll talk you through both the positive direction and the negative direction of the four-step self-fulfilling prophecy process. Remember: your expectations and your labels matter, so let's talk about what to look out for and how to use this power to your advantage! Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/172 Podcast Quiz: https://chelseapierotti.com/podcastquiz Follow the show! https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance    

Time management can be hard for all of us, dancers and coaches included, and we often beat ourselves up when we can't do it well. My guest today taught me the time-management strategy I use every day, so I had to bring her on to share it with all of you because it's not just another app or a planner; it’s an amazing stress-reduction tool. Today’s guest is Kelly Nolan. She's a former attorney, now a time management strategist who created a new system, The Bright Method. I am personally a walking five-star review, as you will hear in the show, because The Bright Method is the only way I survive two jobs I love plus life as a wife, a mother, and a woman with my own desires and goals. I’ve also taught pieces of this method to my college students, so if you're a teacher or a dancer, this will be right up your alley. Do you want to know the best part about The Bright Method? I don't have a to-do list anymore. It's gone! I go to bed every night feeling accomplished and able to relax without feeling like I'm missing something. So what do you say we learn how to get rid of these to-do lists, shall we? Connect with Kelly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_kellynolan_/ Get The Free Five-Day Program: https://kellynolan.com/reset-refresh  Connect with Kelly and The Bright Method: https://www.kellynolan.com/ Follow Passion for Dance: https://chelseapierotti.com/follow All Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/171  

If you are of a certain age in this dance industry, like me, you probably had to run laps when you were late to practice or would be kicked out of ballet if you crossed your arms in class. For many of us, we grew up with coaches and directors who used physical punishment for bad behavior and mistakes. It was the norm. It's what many of us were used to. If you're currently using any type of physical punishment on your team, even in the name of motivation, I want to challenge that practice today based on my time coaching and teaching as well as the science behind it and what psychology tells us about behavior change and motivation. In this episode, I’ll uncover the four reasons not to use physical conditioning as a form of punishment. I hope this episode encourages you to avoid punishing with pushups and instead try another approach! Podcast Quiz: Get a curated list of the top 5 episodes that will help you right now! https://chelseapierotti.com/quiz Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/170

Do your dancers struggle with face-to-face conversations or have a hard time handling their emotions? If you're like most dance educators I've talked to, having real, face-to-face conversations, that are productive but still kind and provide real benefit, is exceedingly challenging. Our dancers are used to communicating behind a screen. It's hurting their relationships, and I also think it's hurting their ability to perform well onstage. My guest today, Michelle Leagans, has found a solution to this problem! Michelle is a former professional dancer from Texas who currently owns and teaches for Power Intensives, and she's a sought-after choreographer and master instructor. Michelle’s solution was to create a journal for dancers called “Hey Dancers… Let's Talk About It!” This journal is different, and the way she explains how it works and why it works will make you want to give it a try.  In today’s conversation, Michelle talks about the power of journaling individually as well as in a team setting via groups. We also talked about addressing burnout and this wonderful idea of glimmers, which provides a much-needed dose of positivity when you need it. Trust me, you're going to want to try it. Tune in to learn how to help your dancers express themselves through journaling! Connect with Michelle on Instagram: www.instagram.com/michelleleagans Get “Hey Dancers… Let's Talk About It!”:  www.letstalkaboutdance.com Follow Passion for Dance: https://followthepodcast.com/passionfordance Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/169    

Whether you're a coach at a school or teach in a studio setting, your dancers likely need to build a tight-knit team if they're going to be successful this season. Traditionally, people think of connecting socially when they want dancers to be close, but there are actually four types of team building, and social connection’s only one way to build that tight-knit group. In today’s episode, I'll be sharing those four types of team building to work on this summer if you want to enhance team dynamics and have a group that gets along and works well together all season. Make sure to get the free download that goes along with this episode that covers lots of different team-building games at www.chelseapierotti.com/168. Tune into this episode to learn how to enhance your team dynamics this season so you can have happier, more successful dancers! Download Team Building Games Other Episode Resources: https://chelseapierotti.com/168