Sara

Hey guys,

For a while now I've hardly bothered to practise much at all. Especially going over basic movements. I used to love dancing, and I still do, but now I want to spend more time in the gym and getting flexible and toned, and can't find the motivation to do dance practise. I do still go to classes, and mill about the house dancing, but not proper practise.

Any idea's how to get motivated again? I don't even bother doing my drills when I get up and go to bed anymore.

I think I'm having dancing block

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Caroline_afifi

Have you considered a trip to Egypt or a festival? both are excellent for putting some fire back in your belly. Perhpas you are lacking stimulation from the sources around you?

Sara

I was thinking a festival. I go back to Uni in September, but before I go back I was wanting to go to a show or something. I'll have to look up stuff going on up North. I reckon a night of dancing will cheer me up a lot and talking to toher dancers.

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Caroline_afifi

Hi Sara,

The Liverpool arabic Arts Festival dance weekend 17th - 20th July... Shows, seminars and workshop! all at a cheap price!
Liverpool Arabic Arts Festival 2008 | Home

Then try JOY in October!

Caroline

Aisha Azar

Dear Sara,
Over the last 34 years of dance, I have had several times in my life when I was not very motivated to practice. I think this happens to every dancer on occasion. For me, it has always been times when my energies were scattered in many directions and I could not seem to enjoy practicing by myself because it seemed like one more chore to do. Thankfully these times have been short lived. You may have a different reason for not feeling like practicing. Do your workouts take it out of you to the point where you feel too relaxed to want to practice, or too tired? Could you maybe dance before you go to the gym? This is what I had to do when I got a big dog that requires a trip to the park every day. I now dance before we walk because I just want to sit and have a cup of coffee after dragging around after a German Shepherd on long-line!
And regarding dancing block, remember that if you just feel like your dancing is off right now somehow, this is usually a sign of growth in dance and your discontent is there because it is like fitting into a new skin, sort of and it is just not that comfortable yet. Give yourself a month or two and see how it goes.
The other thing is, you might just be losing interest in the dance and there is no crime in that either.
Sometimes its hard to know what the issue is, but I hope you work it out for yourself.
Regards,
A'isha

sstacy123

I find my enthusiasm weakening from time to time and then I see someone dance that just blows me over and I feel motivated again...so perhaps a festival would help.

Eshta

I think it happens to everyone!

Lots of good advice so far.

Sometimes you can't force it. I love arabic music, it's pretty much all the music I have, but sometimes I go through phases where I stop listening to it for a couple of weeks & veer off into western music. But it's normally quite short-lived. I also occasionally drink coffee, but I'm still a tea girl at heart! If you need a week off, even a month off, it's ok too! I've had phases like this where I've tried to force myself but it's made it worse. When I leave it alone it normally sorts itself out!

You also may have accidentally wound up in a rut. If you are just drilling day & night, you might be a bit bored without realising it, & maybe need some 'project' to aim for. Or perhaps a complete break from working towards goals & just kick back & "dance".

I'm also the kind of person that is CONSTANTLY juggling too many things at once (I can't live any other way!) and sometimes I am trying to 'cram in' my practice rather than going at a pace where I am enjoying it. I'm doing it because I've allocated that time slot to it, & I'm ticking it off my list, & I'm annoyed I'm not getting anywhere. When I notice that it's often a sign I'm a bit overloaded & need to clear some time to actualyl dedicate to it rather than whizz through.

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khanjar

I would not worry about it, you did it and enjoyed it, perhaps it is you have other things on your mind at the moment. If you really enjoyed the dance, you will come back to it when you are ready.

Sometimes forcing an interest because you feel you should be interested is a good way of losing an interest. Go back to University, get on with your studies, settle in and become comfortable, maybe then you will again feel the pull to your dance.

Uni, go and enjoy yourself, if dance is included, great, if not, enjoy yourself anyway.

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jenc

Are you depressed at all? I have had a lot going on at home and haven't done more than atttend practice. Now my waist has ballooned and my knee is startin to play up so I'm feeling worse than ever.

Eshta

Hugs to Jenc! It will get better!!!

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