This will help you tap into one of the most powerful tools you already have — your imagination. Inside, I talk about how the thoughts and feelings you rehearse internally shape the dancer you become externally. You’ll walk through a quick visualization exercise where you’ll run your choreography in your mind as the version of you who’s already succeeded — not the version worrying about mistakes or judgment. Notice how that version of you carries yourself… how you feel…how you think… how you execute each movement. Use this any time you’re conditioning, learning choreo, or prepping for a performance. And comment below if you want to share how this has impacted you. Or if have any questions- I’m here! ✨🫶🏻

What happens in your body when you’re feeling scared and why it matters when you’re dancing. We’ve all felt it — that tightness when we step into class or onto the stage, the shallow breath, the tension you can’t quite shake. That’s not just “nerves.” That’s your body responding to fear. And here’s the wild part: your brain and body don’t know the difference between “What if I mess up?” and “There’s a tiger chasing me.” Both trigger the same stress response. 🧠 1. The Brain & Body Connection When your brain senses fear or judgment, your amygdala (the brain’s alarm system) fires. This activates your autonomic nervous system, which prepares you for “fight, flight, or freeze.” Here’s what that looks like in a dancer’s body: - Heart rate spikes. - Breathing becomes shallow and fast. - Blood flow is rerouted from smaller stabilizing muscles to your big movers — quads, glutes, calves — so you can act fast, not move artfully. - Muscles tighten, shoulders rise, hips brace, core locks. Your body is now in survival mode, not performance mode. 💪 2. How Fear Hijacks Technique Fear affects how your muscles coordinate — and that shows up in your lines, transitions, and timing. - Tense muscles = less control. Studies show anxiety alters fine motor skills and coordination. - Postural rigidity increases. When you’re scared, your body stiffens to “protect” you — less sway, less flow, less freedom. - Artistry gets replaced with effort. You might hit every count, but the movement loses its nuance — the weight, the breath, the humanity. When fear drives your dancing, you’re fighting yourself instead of moving with yourself. 🎭 3. Fear Blocks Emotional Connection Artistry lives in vulnerability — but fear makes you self-protective. Your inner dialogue becomes louder than the music: “Am I good enough?” “What if they notice that mistake?” Neurologically, fear hijacks your attention. The amygdala and insula take over, pulling focus away from emotion, creativity, and presence.