The essential measures that have recently been undertaken worldwide to support our overall health and wellbeing have resulted in a lot of changes to the lives we have been used to living. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t still share our love and passion for the things that bring us joy. Despite not physically being able to go to your dance class, watch that live show or perform in an event, it doesn’t mean you can’t still immerse yourself within the art form. Below we’ve listed 6 ways you can still get your ‘dance fix’ and remain emotionally connected, while socially distancing yourself.

Virtual Classes

To preserve the health and safety of their students, dance schools have closed their studios and suspended their physical dance classes. However, as an alternative most schools are offering live stream classes or recordings of classes that you can download and watch at a later time. This is a great way to still progress with your dance technique and maintain physical activity, plus also interact with your class mates and teachers! If your school is unable to provide these classes, there are still plenty of other great sources of dance classes you can do online. YouTube has an endless supply of videos, Instagram and Facebook are other great sources, especially with their live videos, or it could be a time to get creative and make your own videos to learn and share with others - TikTok anyone?!

Exercises to Improve Strength and Technique

Sure, you may not be able to perform your usual exercises at home that you do in the classroom but that doesn’t mean that you can’t still work on other aspects of your strength and technique that you may not always do in class! Often there are ways you can adapt exercises that you do in class to perform them at home. No ballet barre? No worries. You can use the back of a chair as your barre and then move that to wherever you have space at home. A Theraband is another great way to improve strength and flexibility and you can use a Theraband in countless ways. If you’ve used them in class, you can repeat those exercises or there are videos on YouTube to guide you. You can also refer to the Energetiks blog and the ‘Theraband exercises for the Dancer’ article which will talk you through some Theraband exercises. If this sounds like something you’d want to try and but don’t have access to a Theraband, you can find them here. Don’t forget to utilise this time to also work on your flexibility! This is the perfect moment to stretch and work on muscle tone and flexibility. Ease into it and then build up the intensity. You can refer to the ‘So you want to be flexible…’ blog for some ideas if you get stuck!

Read and Learn

Sometimes when we are busy, reading becomes the first thing to get neglected - especially if you are at school or uni and you feel like all you do is read! However, with the reduced social contact and activities available at the moment, this becomes a great time to immerse yourself in all formats of text and literature. Picking up a dance magazine is a great way to keep up to date with what’s been happening in the dance world, locally and globally. It provides you with information about garments, events, interviews - plus you can also read most of them online! Online blogs are another format that provide you with interviews, health and dance tips, show reviews and event information. If you haven’t already checked out the rest of the Energetiks Blog, now is your time! If you’re after something that’s a little different, you could also read biographies and autobiographies of dancers lives and their own dance journeys. A few of our favourites include ‘Mao’s Last Dancer’ by Li Cunxin, ‘Fosse’ by Sam Wasson, and ‘Dancing on My Grave’ by Gelsey Kirkland and Greg Lawrence. You can also try audiobook versions of these!

Find Inspiration

Often in times of heightened stress and uncertainty it becomes a bit more difficult to find that creative spark. But don’t despair. Take this opportunity to find something that inspires and motivates you. It’s in moments like this when you don’t expect to find something that excites you, that your best ideas and creations come to life. Tune into podcasts to gain that dose of inspiration (they can be dance or non dance related), turn to social media and see if you stumble across that person who ignites that creative fire within, watch videos of performances and shows, or sit down with a good old dance movie and just allow the moment to wash over you (Centre Stage anyone?). Finding your inspiration doesn’t always have to come from dance related content either. It’s been shown that the calming effect of mindfulness activities (such as belly breathing, meditation, drawing, colouring in and journalling) allow your mind to go on autopilot, encouraging inspirational ideas and thoughts to filter through. For easy to follow directions on belly breathing (also known as diaphragmatic breathing) click here.

The Energetiks Team: Australian made and owned, right here in Melbourne.

Support Local Businesses

While we don’t encourage waste and support recycling and reusing where possible, sometimes those hole-y tights can’t be sewn back together one more time. If you are wanting or needing to invest in some new dance pieces to brighten your wardrobe (and your day), try to shop locally to support local businesses. In uncertain times, these businesses are often the first to face difficulties and any support that can be given is greatly appreciated. Energetiks prides itself as an Australian owned and operated company with 98% of garments being made in Australia using Australian fabrics. By choosing to purchase quality dance wear from Energetiks, you are giving your support to the Australian economy. For the latest looks (we’ve just released our lavish new Viva Collection) and a great collection of sale items head to the website where you can also enjoy free shipping worldwide for any sale over AU$50!

Self Care and Connection

The social distancing that is currently being experienced can lead to many feeling shut off and isolated. It’s in these times that we need to make more of an effort to reach out and connect with others. Use this time to call or FaceTime not only your dance friends, but any of your friends or family who you may not get the opportunity to talk to as often as you’d like. You could also send them an email, text or video message to bring a little joy. Ensuring that we maintain connection is essential for mental health and sustaining a sense of community. It’s a form of self care that sometimes gets overlooked but is integral to our wellbeing. Having this down time can be a bit of an adjustment if you’re used to always being active but it can be just what your body (and soul) needs. Use the time to cook or bake something you’ve always wanted to try (head to ballerina bites if you want some delish recipes), start a creative project, research a topic you’ve always been interested in or do a bit of self pampering by having a bath, doing face masks and giving your body the opportunity to rest.

Ballerina Bites’ delicious Miso-Mite & Avocado on Toast

Even with these recent changes to our daily routines, we need to be grateful for the age we live in. We have access to the tools that still allow us to connect with others, despite not physically being able to. The online platforms that are so readily available enable ones creativity and expression to still be shared and appreciated with others around the world, continuing that emotional connection that is so important throughout these times. We’re all in this together so let’s continue to support and look out for each other. Be kind, give air hugs, and wash your hands.