It’s no secret that a professional dancer is one of the most challenging yet rewarding journeys one can undertake. It involves countless hours of rigorous training, endless corrections and the pressure to reach a high standard within a narrow timeframe — all while still growing and developing physically and mentally.
In our fifth Beyond Stretching column with Zac Jones, from Heal Yourself and Move, he explores the unique challenges that young dancers face and the role both teachers and students play in fostering the confidence needed to succeed at a professional level. His insights are incredibly powerful, and certainly worth adopting.
The challenge of training to professional standards
The pursuit of professional dance standards is often filled with technical corrections: adjusting a turnout, straightening legs, perfecting arm shapes and balancing turns. While these corrections are crucial, focusing solely on them can create an imbalance. From his work over the years, Jones has observed that many young dancers experience an overwhelming sense of inadequacy when they constantly feel like they fall short. He highlights, “The very qualities that make an aspiring dancer want to improve can also make them their own harshest critic.”
It’s time to reframe. To build successful careers, young dancers must balance their pursuit of technical perfection with the confidence needed to step onto the stage and claim their place. True confidence comes from understanding that while perfection may never be fully attainable, mastery over oneself and one’s progress is achievable.
Shifting focus from corrections to celebrations
An important yet often overlooked aspect of training is celebrating the achievements already made. Young dancers have worked incredibly hard to develop their strength, flexibility, musicality, control and determination. Recognizing these achievements — rather than focusing only on minor imperfections — imbues students with a sense of pride and self-worth. It’s crucial for them to see these small corrections as the final touch on an already amazing skillset, rather than the defining feature of their ability.
Jones notes, “Teachers should aim to strike a balance between pointing out areas for improvement and encouraging dancers by highlighting their strengths. When dancers are constantly reminded of what is ‘wrong’ with their technique, they may feel like those small imperfections are the only thing holding them back.” Instead, focusing on their strong points can help build the confidence they need to achieve their goals.
The confidence factor
For a dancer to step onto the stage or into an audition, they must believe they are capable. Many dancers can perform with confidence when an audience is present — they know the show must go on. However, “this confidence also needs to be present in the training studio,” states Jones. When confidence is lost during training, the relationship between the teacher and student can break down, leading to missed opportunities and unrealized potential.
The teacher’s role: Encouraging exploration
Teachers play a vital role in building a dancer’s confidence, not only by imparting technical knowledge but also by encouraging self-exploration. When a student struggles to execute a particular movement despite multiple corrections, Jones notes, “it’s time for both the teacher and the student to explore new approaches.”
He adds, “Instead of insisting on one way to achieve a movement, teachers can encourage dancers to experiment, explore their bodies and find what works best for them.” This kind of exploration teaches students to take ownership of their learning process, which is an essential part of a professional mindset. When students are empowered to solve problems independently, they are more likely to maintain a healthy, lifelong relationship with dance.
Moving from hard work to smart work
Many dancers believe that the key to improvement is simply to work harder. However, when dancers reach a certain level of proficiency, pushing harder isn’t always the answer. Instead, dancers need to learn to work smarter — by analysing their movements, experimenting and finding creative solutions. This requires a shift in mindset, from seeing dance as a series of corrections to be made to viewing it as an ongoing experiment, where each adjustment brings new insight.
Developing a growth-oriented mindset
The process of becoming a professional dancer requires adopting a growth mindset — one that sees corrections not as failures but as opportunities to learn. Dancers need to understand that it is their responsibility to work out the solutions to their challenges – a skill needed for life in general. “While teachers can guide, support and provide expertise, ultimately, each dancer must learn how to work through their struggles in a way that works for them,” states Jones.
This mindset shift can also benefit teachers. If a particular correction isn’t working for a student, it may be time for the teacher to consider a different approach. Each dancer’s body is unique, and the method that worked for one student — or for the teacher themselves in their own career — may not work for another. Teachers can take a more exploratory approach, collaborating with students to find what helps them achieve their goals.
The role of empathy in training
Jones highlights, “It’s also important to remember that young dancers are still young people. They are dealing with changes — hormonal, emotional and social — that can make the pressures of professional training even more intense.” Teachers must be empathetic, recognizing that these young dancers have devoted so much of their time and energy to pursuing their dreams. Empathy fosters trust, and trust is the foundation upon which great teacher-student relationships are built.
Encouraging lifelong learning
The ultimate goal is for dancers to not only become professionals but also to become lifelong learners. Dance is an intricate system of skills, and every professional dancer is essentially a master problem-solver for their body. When young dancers understand how to analyse, explore and solve problems in their technique, they become more resilient artists who are capable of handling the challenges that come with a professional dance career.
“The same applies to teachers,” Jones says. “When teachers can step back and experiment, rather than insisting on one approach, they open up opportunities for growth, both for themselves and their students.” This approach can lead to more students reaching professional levels, as well as to a more fulfilling teaching experience.
The journey continues
The journey to becoming a professional dancer is incredibly challenging, but it’s also deeply rewarding. By shifting the focus from perfection to exploration, and from corrections to celebration, both teachers and students can create an environment where confidence thrives. Confidence is the key to stepping onto the stage, into an audition and, ultimately, into a successful career. For teachers, cultivating empathy and a growth-oriented mindset not only benefits the students but also elevates the entire studio.
Dance is about more than technique — it’s about artistry, passion and the courage to grow. With the right mindset, both dancers and teachers can navigate the challenges of this demanding art form and emerge stronger, more confident and ready to take on the professional world.
If you are a dancer or teacher wanting access to more detailed information on how to get to these next levels, Heal Yourself and Move has a special Dance Informa readers opportunity to join The Heal Yourself and Move Breakthrough Club and get live weekly coaching from Zac Jones, plus on-demand access to many of the HY+M system’s most popular and effective training courses for just $15 per month. To learn more, head to attractwell.com/ZacJones/page/the-breakthrough-club-dance-informa-exclusive.
If you would like to discuss how to fast track your progress with a private instruction program aimed towards elite dancing or teaching goals, book a time to chat to Zac Jones here.
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