Avoid ballroom burnout by doing activities in moderation

By Sandro Virag

One of the best things about ballroom dancing is that it is always challenging in so many ways and every day is different. It is an on-going learning experience.

You might end up loving ballroom dancing for those reasons, but if you jump into such a demanding physical and mental activity too hard and too fast, you might suffer from burnout.

Burnout can happen for many reasons, but often it’s because dancers don’t give themselves enough time to recuperate in between lessons or rehearsals. Don’t go full force or you might not make it for the long run.

Don’t be afraid to ask for more time in between lessons. If the pace in a private lesson is too fast for you, consider a group class which might allow you to learn dancing in a slower setting. You will find in a group setting that there is not as much material to learn.

If a lesson is too demanding, let your instructor know so he or she can gear it more towards what is suitable for you. Most professional instructors will adapt to the student’s ability, talent and speed of learning. That is the best way to make a comfortable learning atmosphere.

Lessons and rehearsals might not always be about dancing or the physical challenge –dancing also requires using your brain. You might spend time viewing and critiquing a video or listening to different music that you might consider using.

Don’t dance if you are sick or have an injury. Allow yourself time to recuperate from an illness or recover from an injury. It’s important to stay healthy. That means eating right and getting enough sleep. Keep up your immune system, which will keep you feeling good. You don’t want to confuse burnout with just plain not feeling well. Always stretch after dancing. Dancing requires a lot of flexibility, and without properly stretching, you can develop cramps after a strenuous lesson or rehearsal. It is important to stay hydrated as well. Never take on more lessons than you can handle as it will quickly lead to burnout. Don’t be afraid to talk frankly with your instructor about what works for you or if your lessons need adjustment with regards to frequency and level of difficulty. Dancing should be fun and enjoyable even when you are working hard.

Sandro Virag is a partner and instructor at Hilton Head Ballroom Dance Studio of Hilton Head, located in Bluffton at Seaquins Ballroom. hiltonheadballroom.com