(From the March/April 2015 edition of American Dancer Magazine.)

Years of physical training can prepare dancers for the athletic and technical demands of competition, but psychological training is equally important.

Many coaches recognize the importance of goal setting, concentration, and anxiety management, but suggestions like “be confident” or “relax” can cause dancers to become frustrated if they don’t understand how to achieve these mental states.

Instead of vague suggestions, dancers need practical strategies for optimizing mental toughness when they need it the most. In this article, I’ll share some mental skills training tips you can use to take your competitive performance to the next level. [Read more…]