Let’s face it; we thought COVID-19 was only going to be a two-week long dance hiatus in March, but here we are with our favourite studios shutting down again after eight months.
But wait! What about.. online dance classes?
Online dance classes are a fantastic health-wise alternative to in-studio classes during these times, allowing you to continue sharpening your dance skills at home during the pandemic. Whether you are attending prerecorded or live-streamed Zoom classes, online classes are a great way to keep your bodies moving and doing what they love again.
Struggling to feel the same spark from online classes? Here are 7 tips to make the best out of the digital dance experience:
Find a comfortable space.
Rearrange whatever furniture you need to and find something to prop your streaming device on. Learning in front of a reflective surface (mirror, TV screen, window) helps too! Note: your at-home “studio” doesn’t have to be huge; check out 16 year-old Hip-Hop dancer Bailey Sok dancing in her small bedroom space.
*Bonus tip: take classes when your roommates/family aren’t around or find a time when it isn't disruptive to people who live with you! A happy household results in a happier quarantine period :-)
Put on your “dancing clothes”.
One easy way to put yourself in “dancing mode” is to put on your “dancing clothes”! Even though many of us have gotten accustomed to wearing our pajamas all day, putting on our best “dance class” outfits is a good way to feel like we’re on the dance floor again.
Take advantage of the video playback settings.
One benefit of taking prerecorded online classes is that you can pause, rewind, and adjust the speed of your classes as you wish! Don’t be afraid to replay harder sections of the combos, or speed up the videos for a challenge.
Challenge yourself.
Use the unusual circumstances of your at-home “dance studio” to your advantage! Only have a small space to dance in? Try focusing on your control! Don’t have a reflective surface to dance in front of? Try learning without one and being more mindful of how your body feels! Short on time to learn a full one-hour class? See how much of the combo you can learn in the time you have! There are so many ways to see the positive in our at-home dance environment.
Take classes with friends (remotely).
With online classes, it’s hard to feed off everyone else’s energy like the studio days; however, you can still dance with your friends remotely! Try using Watch2Gether or Discord and stream our free workshops or free collab classes with your friends to keep each other motivated and accountable.
**Another bonus tip: organize a choreo challenge with your friends to keep the creative juices flowing during the quarantine period!
Explore different dance/fitness resources.
Quarantine is the perfect time to try something new, especially since there aren’t any eyes watching. Although we have many classes to offer here on the Dance Horizons website, there is much more to discover in the online dance/fitness community!
Check out the online classes offered by our sponsors:
STEEZY Studio (DH members receive 50% the annual membership)
Baza Dance Studio (DH members receive 25% off virtual drop-ins)
Ballet Lounge (DH members receive 15% off virtual drop-ins)
Take care, rest up, and stay safe.
It may feel like the perfect time to train and improve as dancers during quarantine, but don’t feel guilty if you decide to take a break from dancing to rest up and take care of your mind, body and overall health! The pandemic can easily impact our mental health condition, so please don’t neglect the importance of your headspace alongside your physical health.
If you are seeking emotional/mental health support, here are some resources:
Youthspace.ca (available 6pm-12am PST)
Here2Talk (accessible 24/7)
24/7 BC Mental Health Support Line: 310-6789 (do not add an area code to this number!)
We miss dancing at the studios and hope that everyone continues to wash their hands, wear their masks, and follow the necessary COVID-19 protocols so we can get back to safely dancing together again. Stay healthy and safe everyone!
