Issue 3 - July 2021
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Let's get planning for success!
Sharing dance news, events and opportunities from across the globe
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Insurance - Simple!
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Job Vacancies
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Planning for Success
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10 Things about dance that make us smile
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Prepping for Big School
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Putting the Wow Back Into Communities
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Health Benefits of Activity
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10 Questions We Asked A Well-being Business
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Dance News Worldwide Directory
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Tell Us About YOU
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How Can Dance Help Mental Health
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Hi everyone, So July is upon us and things are starting to get a little bit more back to normal in some areas of the world. It’s certainly been a tough time for many so it’s been great to come together to help and support each other - not only through dance, fitness and well-being, but through online meet ups, sharing experiences and ideas to support people in terms of physical and mental health.
No matter what you do, make sure you take time out for you - it’s so important to look after ourselves and each other.
In this issue Popdance share 10 things about dance that make them smile, Chris Cody tells us of upcoming plans to support their local community, and Yogi Bird shares some of the reasons her students love their yoga practice.
Do you have news to share with the world? Email us at hello@dancenewsworldwide. com to find out more
Have a fantastic month, The Dance News Worldwide Team X
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JOBS United Kingdom Basingstoke - Stafford Ballet are looking for a cover teacher on Saturday mornings starting 25th September. Ideally ballet but open to other genres too. If you cannot commit to all 4 Saturdays then that’s fine. Email office@staffordballet.co.uk for more information __________________________________ Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire - Ballet/ Contemporary Dance teacher required to start work part time for an established dance school in Herts in September 2021 This position is for an applicant who holds a professional dance teachers qualification Teaching twice a week Monday’s and Saturdays in bishops Stortford, Herts Pay is £20 per hour Contemporary will be free work with routines for shows and festivals
Cheshire - We are currently seeking a Performing Arts Teacher at Embrace Performing Arts in Cheshire. This is to begin on Monday 6th September 2021, 4.00pm 7.00pm every Monday and Wednesday in Congleton, term time only. The individual should be confident in teaching at least two of the following, Dance, Acting and Musical Theatre, preferably with experience in preparing students for LAMDA examinations. DBS is essential. For further information or to apply please contact us via info@embraceperformingarts. co.uk along with your cv. ____________________________________
USA New York, Long Island - Hi everyone !This is Nina.I just opened a dance studio of my own and am looking for HIP HOP teachers and ballet teachers. My dance studio is located in Long Island, New York. My email is swandance001@gmail.com
Ballet will be syllabus work plus show and festival work Please send CV to principal Tracey Walker E: dancecrazy.tracey@ntlworld.com Company : Tracey Walker School of Dancing est 35 years
If you have job vacancies, or are looking for work in the dance, fitness or well-being industry, email hello@ dancenewsworldwide.com to submit your listing absolutely FREE OF CHARGE
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“Planning is bringing the future into the present so you can do something about it now.” - Alan Larkin I am the Dance Business Expert - Deborah Laws. I run Dance Business Lab and work with companies, examination boards and franchises as well as individual Dance studio principals and directors teaching business strategies specifically in the dance industry.
I recently launched a book - “The Ultimate Dance Business Planner” that shot to number 1 on Amazon in 4 hours! I am passionate about helping dance business owners to create highly successful schools and studios and felt sure this chunky desk top planner would become a truly helpful and important little business tool.
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Plans are simply a way to help you to navigate to your desired location in life. You don’t always arrive exactly where you aimed for but without plans you may simply sail around in circles, only ever seeing the same patch of ocean. Running a dance business is like any other business. I believe we need to do two important activities on a frequent and consistent basis. Plan ahead and then stop and evaluate how that turned out. Did you carry out your plans? Was there a successful outcome? How could you learn from the things that worked well and the things that didn’t and sail on with more knowledge and confidence. I do believe as dance business owners we are all so incredibly busy ALL of the time that we simply get up each morning, put on our leggings and set about “doing” in our business. Putting out fires, keeping our heads above water, doing whichever task is the most urgent is what most of us do. This is what I hear a lot from my clients.
But let us just imagine for one minute that the time we have spent reading this article is the time we spend each and every month planning our next 30 days. Imagine if you had set clear intentions for the really important strategies that might actually grow your school or improve something that needs addressing. As a dance business expert I wanted to find a way to help you all achieve a more intentional approach to running your schools so I created the number 1 best selling book - The Ultimate Dance Business Planner.
calendar for a CEO date board meeting with yourself once per month to take check and re set the next months goals and plans? You may prefer to use a whiteboard, a beautiful notebook or your phone but if you would like my fabulous planner you can check it out here. www.amazon.co.uk/UltimateDance-Business-Planner-business/ dp/B092X32CGY
You can also come and find me on Facebook in my free group for dance business owners www.facebook.com/groups/ dancebusinesslab or on my website - www.dancebusinesslab.com
In this chunky desk top business planner you will have space to brain dump then map out your marketing and retention ideas for the year, plan them into each month and also to work on my 5 pillars of running a successful studio. I urge you to end your month with what I call the Directors Review. In the planner there is space to measure how many new students you attracted, how many you converted, how many you now have, finances, online visibility and more. Why not add a date in your
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10 Things About Dance That Make Us Smile! 1.
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Number 1 has to be the music when Wham’s Wake Me Up Before You Go Go comes on – you’ve just gotta dance to it
It’s me time! Forget the phone, the kids tea and work – it’s just about me, the music and dancing!
2. The fact that dance will never date, be boring or run out of moves! 3.
The fact that dancing is good for me – being active, exercising and it’s such a fun way to do it. 9.
The fact that everyone can dance! Even if they say they have two left feet – everyone has their own way of dancing.
Re-living my youth – dancing to tracks from the 80s, 90s and 00s – blasts from the past put a big smile on my face
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makes me feel good.
I just love to dance – even though I am not a “dancer” – I feel like I am!
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The fact I’ve made so many new friends through dance – it’s a very sociable experience.
Snuck an 11th in here – try a little dance move now – classics that spring to mind are “Gangnam Style”, Tiffany’s I Think We’re Alone Now, or how about a moonwalk – go on – I know you are contemplating it!
It’s fun – it makes me happy and
6. Being in a dance studio – I just want to run across the sprung floor and do a “fame leap” mid air (but I don’t)
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Get yourself down to your nearest Popdance class HERE or online HERE or if you are a dance teacher and you’d like to include Popdance classes, parties and workshops in what you do – then find out more HERE
Have a FREE Popdance Fit workout session for you and all the family - go on, give it a go
What makes you smile about dance?
Or why not book a Popdance party or workshop? Find out more HERE
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Prepping for big school Starting school is a crucial stage in any child’s development. At the best of times, it can be a daunting prospect for our little ones, but given the last 18 months has been a completely unprecedented and unsettling time for everyone, this year could be particularly tricky! I know as a parent myself that I’m starting to feel the anxiety creeping in too. I’m currently experiencing this with my own daughter, who will be starting reception this September. Normally a confident and outgoing little thing, she is in complete denial that she will be leaving the safety of her beloved nursery class and making that huge leap into reception. This has been where the inspiration for my new book, ‘Mystic Bunny Boy Steps Out Of Time’ came from. The story is about ‘first day of school nerves’ and includes a simple calming technique that children can easily learn and apply to any situation that makes them feel anxious. I’ve been practising this with my little one, subtly giving her the tools to help calm her and prepare her in the best way I know how.
I thought it would be helpful to share some additional tips of the things I’m doing with my own daughter, alongside reading her the book, to make sure starting school is the exciting adventure it should be!
1. Get talking Visualising with your child what school will actually be like is a great place to start. Lots of schools offer a settling in sessions, so it’s a good idea to take your child then talk afterwards about the experience - it will give them a good sense of what might happen on their first day. I know this may not be possible at the moment due to social distancing, but if you can it’s really important to attend these so your child can meet the teachers, make friends and get a feel for the place. Talk about the journey to school and what they will need to remember to pack in their school bag. The more a child talks about the whole experience of being at school the more they will have practised it in their minds, and the more confident they will feel.
2. Make friends Making new friends can often be a huge challenge. It’s good to remind your
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child that others may also be feeling a bit unsure and so saying hello, smiling and asking another child if they want to play is a good place to start. Over the summer holidays, why not try to create opportunities to practice this in the park, or when going to summer social activities. It is also a great idea to connect with local community groups and find other families in the same situation that you meet up with to make sure your little one has a friendly face on their first few days.
3. Establish good routines
Remember, labelling clothing and equipment will also help children feel Creating good habits during the holidays that they know what belongs to them, will really help. It’s also a nice idea to and will help them feel organised. have a calendar that gives your child a visual reminder of how many weeks/ 5. Walk the walk days are left before they start school. A good night time routine is a great Get your child familiar with the morning example: bedtime routines that include routine and journey. Get up and ready, a chat about the day will help your child and ‘practise’ going to school, talking develop a way of reflecting on the day – to them about what they can see along which will be an important tool for both the way. You can turn this into a game, of you once they start school. perhaps making a map and getting your child to draw/find certain landmarks along the way. All of this preparation will help your child feel confident in the run up to their first day, and will help them feel that this new experience is one that they can manage and enjoy. I hope you and your child find these tips useful. And if you’d like a copy of the book as an additional settling in aid for your child, it can be purchased via www.mysticbunnyboy.com
4. Get things ready Help your child to make a list of the things they will need for school – you can even make a game of finding some of them around the house. Then, plan a shopping trip to buy everything.
Wishing us all a smooth, calm and exciting transition.
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Putting the WOW back into communities By Chris Cody, Katy Harris, and Sue Wilson We’ve all had plenty of time to get in touch with ourselves over the past year, often with sadly few other people to get in touch with. Online dance and fitness classes have been there for people to stay connected and keep themselves physically fit at the same time. So, before going any further can we first raise a toast to all of you involved – thanks for keeping us moving! It has been vital for us all to feel as connected as possible with others during this time even if virtually. Connection is a fantastic word with so many meanings – we can be connected to others, ourselves, the community and nature. Our physical and mental wellbeing are also connected (not really news to most of you I’m sure) - the upright, confident posture of the dancer in motion is a mental
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state as well as a physical state. Looking the part can help you feel the part. Moving slowly back out into social situations in-person may bring with it complications for many of us. Social anxiety has been something many have been dealing with (admirably) even before the COVID-19 pandemic. Added to all the pre-existing rules of socializing and group etiquette we now have safety precautions designed to keep us apart whilst we are together. These are an unfortunate necessity but may promote a feeling of necessary hiding for some. SOSA & Starlets CIC WOW want to see YOU though! So, here’s what we plan to do about it….
We value the importance of staying physically, mentally, and emotionally well. There are many ways to do this, and it can be quite an individual process. Therefore, it is that individual’s self-identity that our groups speak to.
WOW is Working Out Wellbeing – we have tips and tricks that work for us and anyone attending one of our sessions will have their own coping strategies and through a process of sharing we’ll try to work it out – and WOW because we think you’re amazing and are so grateful you’ve come to join us! The talking part of our sessions use the 5 Ways to Wellbeing as a focus for the conversation: Connect, Give, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Be Active. We try to relate them to you, who you are, and who you want to be. The dancer in you is then invited to come out and hit the floor! Always with a mind towards accessibility and embodiment, we take a situation
that we commonly find anxious and put it to dance. The ‘social distance shuffle’ is aimed at raising a few smiles and hopes to put steps to some of our daily routines, for example. Having warmed-up and relaxed by trying not to take ourselves too seriously within a safe space, we practice a few pre-choreographed routines from the superb SOSA Dance Fitness catalogue (with many styles and genres) adapted for your level. No-one is expected to sizzle from the start, but if we’re smiling and having fun, we guarantee you’ll look fabulous!
Taking time to cool down at the end of the session we can revisit some of the ideas about your self-beliefs. Maybe some of you have just tried some new moves; a thing you may never have pictured yourself doing. Believing you can is one of the foundations for achieving a sense of wellbeing. Show us what you can do and who you are, then, maybe, you’ll feel more prepared to show your community and everyone else that you have, in fact, got this!
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It is well documented that there are numerous health benefits to be had when it comes to taking regular physical activity. Exercise can lift your mood and it does this by lowering our levels of stress hormones whilst increasing levels of endorphins, often referred to as the ‘feel good’ hormone. But why in particular is yoga so good for our mental health? When I first stepped onto a yoga mat, it was for ‘exercise’. Little did I know it had so much more to offer me. It has without a shadow of a doubt helped me through some particularly difficult times, including my struggles with anxiety and low self-esteem. But don’t just take my word for it many studies have shown that yoga can help with anxiety, stress and depression.
So, let’s dive a little deeper and explore some of the scientific evidence. Yoga is a combination of physical postures, meditation and focus on breathing. Meditation helps us clear the mind by bringing us into the present moment. By focusing on how we feel in our postures and moving mindfully we can help strengthen our mind-body connection. I regularly encourage my students to focus on their breathing throughout their practice and we always perform a few breathing exercises towards the start of the class. I can remember in my early days of practicing yoga thinking “will the teacher stop banging on about the breath, already!” but I soon came to appreciate its value. When we start breathing more deeply and controlled, we calm our nervous system. We move from the sympathetic nervous system, more typically known as ‘fight-or-flight’, to the parasympathetic nervous system, more commonly known as ‘rest-anddigest’. Therefore, we become more relaxed with less anxiety. Breathing exercises can be done anywhere and are not just for your yoga mat. The NHS website has some you can follow here.
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As well as our friends the endorphins, we can add serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin, to our happy hormone family. All of which promote positive feelings such as happiness and pleasure. Research shows that serotonin production plays a role in the treatment of depression and yoga naturally increases serotonin production. One study even suggests people with depression have lower serotonin levels. Aging and Mental Health journal published a review of 15 studies that studied the effects of a variety of relaxation techniques on depression and anxiety in older adults. These techniques included yoga, massage therapy, progressive muscle relaxation, stress management, and listening to music. While all methods provided some benefit, yoga and music were the most effective for both depression and anxiety. And yoga appearing to provide longerlasting results. Recently, one of my students sent me a photo of a page from the New Scientist magazine. The title read “Did you know yoga shrinks brain areas involved in fear and anxiety”. Now, how amazing is that? Thanks to modern technology, we’re now able to see how a regular yoga practice affects the brain, changes its structure, which then in turn goes on to produce mental health benefits!
So, there you have it, a little bit of science. But to wrap up, I thought you might be interested to hear from my students, so I asked them to drop me a few lines on how our yoga classes have helped their mental health – “I love yoga with you. It gives me time and space for me. My head is a very busy place that doesn’t stop, yoga helps me change it down a gear for a short time…” “helps me step out of busy life just for an hour and chill... I love looking after my body and my mind… the headspace thing really makes a difference…” “I started yoga to find a way to manage my heightened anxiety and help my low mood. I love the calm it brings… I use techniques in my everyday life when a situation gets a bit much… having a class and teacher I connect with is a bonus too!” “it helps me feel grounded and focused… time out… relaxed… part of a community… no judgement… I love it!”
If you would like to know more about our classes, please do get in touch. We’d love to hear from you www.yogibird.co.uk
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5 Questions We Asked A Well Being Business We caught up with Bridgette Mansfield, a hypnotherapist in Grange Park, to ask her our 5 “famous” questions: Hi Bridgette, so, what got you interested in hypnotherapy in the first place?
that if I can do it, everyone can do it. So I decided to train as a hypnotherapist and as a Hypnobirthing instructor. How has hypnotherapy affected your life, personally?
I am a much more positive person than I was before. It’s a very rewarding job After I gave birth to my second helping others to make positive son, I read about hypnobirthing. changes to their lives. I had never heard of it before but when I read it I realised What kind of clients do you that I had hypnotised myself work with? whilst giving birth without even realising it. I absolutely I help people to overcome loved giving birth, I had such anxieties, fears, negative a great experience, it was very thoughts, unwanted habits such empowering and I realised
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as smoking, gambling etc. And most emotional issues. And pregnant ladies helping them to get rid of their fears around birthing.
By making sure you’re not tensing your jaw or clenching your fist for example will make you feel much more relaxed and in control. Also make sure that you are not holding your What would you say to anyone breath. Although breathing wondering what hypnotherapy comes naturally, we sometimes is like? hold our breath when we are anxious. Taking in nice deep Hypnosis is a very natural state breaths whilst relaxing your that we go in and out of every body will help. day without even realising. Everyone feels differently in hypnosis, some people feel light, others feel heavy. Some may get tingling in their hands or feet, some don’t, it is a wonderful feeling and extremely relaxing. Also, during this past year, we know that people have struggled with their mental health and increased anxiety, do you have any simple tips they could implement to help with that? Take time to make sure you are not tensing your body. Very often we are tensing a part of our body without even realising. This will increase anxiety.
Thanks, Bridgette. If you’d like to talk to Bridgette confidentially about any concerns, worries or goals you have - simply email her at bridgette@123relax.co.uk or take a look at her website here to find out more www.123relax.co.uk
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DANCE NEWS WORLDWIDE DIRECTORY Find a dance, fitness or well-being class, party or service via the Dance News Worldwide Directory Simply click on the area local to you
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Amesbury, Salisbury
Conwy, Wales
Ankara, Turkey
Cork
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Dubai
Barnet
Dublin
Basingstoke
Edgware, Colindale, West
Bedford
Hampstead, Swiss Cottage &
Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh,
St John’s Wood
India
Edinburgh
Brooklyn and Manhattan, USA
Edinburgh and Fife
Budapest, Hungary
Enfield
Canterbury
Fareham, Hampshire
Cardiff, CF24
Farnham Common,
Chelmsford, Essex
Buckinghamshire
Chester
Gainsborough
Chittaranjan, Burdwan, India
Golders Green, London
Clapham, London SW4
Greenwich
Cleethorpes
Haldwani, India
Haverhill
Newton Stewart
Hertford
Oregon City
Hiram, Georgia, USA
Portsmouth, Havant,
Hitchin
Southsea and Petersfield
Holloway, London N7
Potters Bar
Jeddah City, Saudi Arabia
Reading, Berkshire
Jersey
Royston
Kisumu, Kenya
Sale, Cheshire
Kyrenia, Cyprus
St Albans
Leicester, LE6
St Albans
Lichfield
Stockport
Lichfield
Thames Ditton
Lincoln
Twickenham, London
Liverpool
Vienna, Austria
Luton, LU2
Walthamstow, London
Lyss, Switzerland
Wanstead, London
Maidstone
Watford
Manchester
Winchmore Hill, London
Manchester, Liverpool,
Wokingham
Cheshire and Stockport
Worcester
Maryhill, Glasgow Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York, USA Morayshire, Scotland New York, USA New York, USA
Do you have a dance, fitness or well-being class, service or product to offer? Get your details in the Dance News Worldwide Directory - find out more here
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We want to know about your dance, fitness and well-being service or product Whether it’s a simple listing in the Dance News Worldwide Directory
Or a quarter, half or full page ad in the magazine every single month
Find out more about how we can put your business in front of a ready made, active and engaged audience straightaway - effortless marketing from a community you can trust Or, if you have a story to tell, tips to share, expertise that can help others we want to hear from you - simply email hello@dancenewsworldwide.com Or you can also visit us on www.dancenewsworldwide.com/workwith-us
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Whether you run classes, events or put on shows, or whether you provide products or services to the industry such as clothing, mirrors, equipment, or business support, we can help you engage with our network and increase your sales
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No more competing with Google – we will put your business in front of a ready-made, active and engaged audience
We know how to reach the right audience
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5 Simple Ways That Dance Can Help Your Child's Mental Health We all know that feel good music can really put a smile on our faces, but were you aware of all the other benefits of dance to not only our body and minds but our mental health?
We wanted to share a few of these with you: 1.Feeling Happy! Sometimes it’s as simple as taking time out of your day and letting your hair down to pop music that you love. Getting away from the tv, the computer, the mobile and just simply “being”. Being active is proven to release endorphins in the body which give you that “feel good factor”. 2. Boosting Confidence Increasing your coordination, flexibility and bodyawareness with dance 22
improves children’s self esteem. And the feeling of accomplishing a dance routine over time gives that added boost too. 3. Building Friendships Whether it’s online or offline, dance classes help to build children’s social skills and that feeling of community – a place where they belong and are encouraged, valued and celebrated.
4. Time Together Dancing with parents and spending quality time together really helps that bond – enjoying an activity together can really make a difference to how your child feels about health and fitness as well as themselves.
Find out more about Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week here Check out all the online classes in all sorts of genres of dance and fitness for children and for adults here
5. Express Yourself
Enjoy a FREE Popdance Fit 15 minute dance workout session for you and your family here
Dance and movement allow children to escape and let loose which improves their mental and emotional health by reducing stress, decreasing anxiety and depression and boosting self esteem. There is no right or wrong way to dance and children can get creative, let their imaginations go and really express how they are feeling.
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Issue 1 - May
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Spend an evening with
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the globe. from across opportunities Sharing dance news, events and opportunities from across the globe.
2021
