How to prevent burnout?

[xschizy]

This isn't really a question about pointe shoes or technique, but I was still curious for a response...so hopefully I'm posting this in the right forum.

 

I'm an all-or-nothing type of a person, so when I go for something, I really try hard like there is no tomorrow. It's great when I feel really excited about dancing because then I love to push my muscles to the extreme in class. But when I get lazy, I get extremely lazy. Like now.

I'm attending a local summer intensive where I'm receiving extremely great training and want to make the most out of it. My hopes are to be focused in class, always take corrections, and work hard whether or not I'm receiving attention from teachers so that I can improve as much as possible this summer. But it's hard to have this attitude consistently and consecutively in class. Sometimes I'll be so emotionally (or physically) tired or frustrated that I won't be passionate about dance for periods of time before I finally recover my enthusiasm.

 

I just want to know what are some ways to prevent burnout? How do you remain passionate about dance through its highs and lows? I'm not looking for any life-changing answers, but just want to hear from fellow dancers or teachers in this forum. Thank you.

[Victoria Leigh]

First of all, xschizy, I think we need to examine why you are so tired or so frustrated that it overpowers your passion and enthusiasm. If you are healthy, and happy in your dancing, there is no reason for this to happen. Why are you so tired? Why are you frustrated?

[xschizy]

Well, I haven't figured out what the main problem is, but this is pretty much my life in a nutshell. I'm taking a summer intensive from 10AM-4PM then have to quickly head off to my part-time work, sometimes cutting my summer intensive a bit short because work hours are earlier sometimes. Afterwards, I go take another class until 9PM. And then there's the common problems that most dancers face, like comparing myself to other dancers, becoming discouraged by my feet and whatnot, or trying to not be too hurt when the teacher brushes me off coldly when he's feeling a bit frustrated with the class. Am I just thinking too much and that's why I'm frying myself?

[Victoria Leigh]

Well, it sounds like, first off, you are not able to totally focus on your dancing because you are also working at another job. That is very difficult, especially during a summer intensive.

 

Secondly, comparisons are not a good idea. You waste a lot of energy comparing, being discouraged with your "feet and whatnot", and not spending that time and energy just working on yourself. You are putting a negative focus on yourself, and that is very detrimental. It drains your energy and prevents progress. This is not a totally easy thing to overcome, but it is something you must overcome if you expect to succeed in anything, especially something as difficult as ballet. You have to train yourself to focus only on yourself and your work, not on others, and not on the negative things that you perceive about yourself. If you cannot work with a positive approach, then you are hurting yourself in many ways, including how your teachers react to you.

 

You may well be overthinking things, and that too can hold you back. Allow your feelings for ballet, for dance, for music, to take over. Stop analyzing everything and just do it! Again, not easy. It sounds simple, but it is not. You have to really allow this to happen. Every correction is a positive thing. Take it with enthusiasm, try it immediately, and let the teacher know that you appreciate it and are trying to do what is being asked. Only you can remove the negative thoughts and focus on the positive. There is no magic pill or word or exercise for this. But, I bet you can do it!

[xschizy]

Thank you, Ms. Victoria Leigh. You are right...but like you said, it's not going to be easy breaking myself out of these habits. will try.

[Victoria Leigh]

Good for you, xschizy! Go for it.

[chocakety]

I am posting this to prevent duplicate trends of topics.

 

I am not too sure if I have hit the burnout level or there is really something wrong with me. I used to look forward to every ballet lessons that I take till the beginning of the summer since one studio that I attend is close for the summer. My other studio does RAD and now my teacher is preparing my other classmates for the Vocational Examinations. I am not taking my exam this year as I would be leaving for 5 month internship program in September, so as for now, I only have my RAD classes to train and improve myself. I still love ballet as much as ever, reading up on technique and autobiographies of famous dancers, youtubing ballet videos for inspiration.

 

I try to induce positive energy in myself and motivate myself but my body doesn't listen to me, I feel that syllabus work is dry since I hear the music and do the exercises over and over again that I end up doing steps instead of dancing it. Syllabus work has its benefits (practice makes perfect) but my body doesn't to be on the same note as it.

 

If my situation has reached the burnout level, what should I do to stop feeling this way?

[Victoria Leigh]

I don't think it is burnout, chocakety, I think it is just boredom with syllabus classes all summer. There should be open classes mixed in, but since there are not, I would look for some classes at another school until your other program starts in September.

[chocakety]

Thank you Ms Leigh for your input and also your advice. Most schools who do open classes are off for the summer so I am taking adult classes now in replacement of the open classes I use to take. Usually by this time, my studio would do a month of workshop for students who are here for the summer but my teacher is away in NYC, doing the ABT teaching seminar hence there would not be a workshop for this year. :/