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DANCE TEACHER QUARANTINE SELF-CARE

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Now more than ever we are faced with a reality of uncertainty. Uncertainty over our studio businesses, student enrollment, competitions, recitals, dance training, etc. We are also faced with taking care of our health, our families, providing for others and all the peripheral stuff that goes along with the current climate during this pandemic we are living in. And we need to do it all without leaving the house.

While it is in every teacher’s nature to think about our, “kids”- our dancers, the ongoing energy we are exerting day in and day out can begin to put a toll on our mind, bodies and souls. We need to look inward towards self-care and our mental health and well-being to meet the demands we must face for this unknown duration.

Nobody and I mean nobody can keep going for an extended time without a break. Add to that, many of us are also homeschooling small children right now or taking care of loved ones and the already, “me time” we may have had may be even more limited, if not non-existent right now.

While the following suggestions below may seem obvious, right now I, myself relish in these small things that can change my energy, attitude and outlook each day. Even twenty minutes to, “escape,” and recharge is worthy of making habit. So enjoy, take a deep breath, make yourself a priority during this time of isolation and be kind to yourself. Stay healthy and safe and I’ll DEFINITELY see you all in the dance studio soon.

Love,

Jess

  1. Meditate: Meditation doesn’t need to be unapproachable. Simply finding some quiet time to just sit and be still in a comfortable position, close your eyes, open the windows and breathe can help lower anxiety, lower your heart rate and help you re-center. If your mind is, “busy,” let the thoughts be present and let them float out of your mind. Nothing needs to be forced. If you have a favorite mantra to repeat to yourself. That’s great too!
  2. Dig up some favorite old black and white movies and movie musicals: Now is the PERFECT time to uncover all those classics you love and never got around too. While you’re enjoying these treasures on your couch, you might even inadvertently be inspired to create a new piece.
  3. READ: Yes. Same as the movie idea, put down the electronics, unplug and read that book you’ve always wanted to get too. Nothing can take you away from reality more than a good book and we rarely have the time to do it. Take the time, now.
  4. Online classes/courses: Now is an opportune time to take that French course you’ve always wanted or that Art History class you’ve been interested in. Or, even that online certification you never had time to sit down and start. There are so many educational establishments with great offers to interesting classes, now is a wonderful time to quench your thirst for knowledge.
  5. MOVE: Get your own body moving and I don’t just mean teaching classes via zoom. Take your own dance class or yoga class or try something new. Get outdoors and hike, walk around your neighborhood and explore. Moving for ourselves and ourselves alone is good for our souls as well as our health.
  6. RECONNECT: Take advantage of the technology we have. Reconnect with those loved ones and friends you’ve been meaning to call forever. While we may have to be physically distant, we can talk, catch up and even meet up for family dinners. This is the time to talk, reminisce and laugh with one another. Take advantage of the time we do have with one another.

See you in the dance studio..soon.

Be well. Be happy. Breathe.

Jess

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Author

Jessica Rizzo Stafford

Jessica Rizzo Stafford

Jessica Rizzo Stafford is a native New Yorker and graduate of NYU Steinhardt's Dance Education Master’s Program; with a PK-12 New York State Teaching Certification. Her double-concentration Master’s Degree includes PK-12 pedagogy and dance education within the higher-education discipline. She also holds a BFA in dance performance from the UMASS Amherst 5 College Dance Program where she was a Chancellor's Talent Award recipient. Jess now works extensively with children, adolescents and professionals as choreographer and teacher and conducts national and international master-classes specializing in the genres of modern, contemporary, musical theatre and choreography-composition. Jess’ national and international performance career includes works such as: The National Tour of Guys & Dolls, The European Tour of Grease, West Side Story, Cabaret, Sweet Charity, Salute to Dudley Moore at Carnegie Hall, guest-dancer with the World Famous Pontani Sisters and IMPULSE Modern Dance Company. Jess has been a faculty member for the Perichild Program & Peridance Youth Ensemble & taught contemporary and jazz at the historic New Dance Group and 92nd Street Y in NYC. She was Company Director at the historic Steffi Nossen School of Dance/Dance in Education Fund and in 2008 traveled to Uganda where she taught creative-movement to misplaced children. The experience culminated with Jess being selected as a featured instructor at the Queen's Kampala Ballet & Modern Dance School. She has conducted workshops for the cast of LA REVE at the Wynn, Las Vegas and recently taught at the 2011 IDS International Dance Teacher Conference at The Royal Ballet in London, UK. She is also on faculty for the annual Dance Teacher Web Conferences in Las Vegas, NV. Currently, Jess is a faculty member at the D'Valda & Sirico Dance & Music Centre and master teacher & adjudicator for various national and international dance competitions. Recently, she has finished her NYU Master’s thesis research on the choreographic process of technically advanced adolescent dancers and is the creator of “PROJECT C;” a choreography-composition curriculum for the private studio sector. Jess is also faculty member, contributing writer and presenter in the choreography and “how to” teaching segments on the celebrated danceteacherweb.com. For more info, visit her website at www.jrizzo.net.

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