Tools to Increase Your Performance Confidence

One of the most important things a dancer can do while performing is be confident. By exuding confidence, a dancer projects to the audience that they can relax, be comfortable, and enjoy the show. However, being confident can be easier said than done. Even now, nerves will still get to me at times. Especially if I'm performing at a new venue or there are other unexpected curve balls, my confidence can start to dissipate. But the good news is, there are a few performance tools you can think about employing to fake your confidence even if you're not feeling it. And probably the biggest benefit, the more you use these tools, the more you will start to feel genuinely confident and comfortable in your dance. Before you know it, you won't even be faking it anymore.

1. Breathe - when we get nervous or excited we breathe much more shallowly. From my early days of performing I remember walking off the stage and being so out of breath because I had barely inhaled or exhaled throughout my entire performance. If you're not breathing normally during your performance, your audience might not be able to put their finger on what's wrong, but they will subconsciously feel that tension. So you have to breathe for your audience! By breathing deeply, you signal to yourself that you can relax and let the present moment envelop you. In turn, it will also signal to those watching that they can do the same.

2. Make Eye Contact - it's surprising how scary making eye contact can be during a performance. As a performer, you are already putting yourself in a position of vulnerability, and making eye contact is inviting in even more vulnerability. Who knows what type of judgment or opinion of our performance we might see reflected back at us? Regardless, making eye contact is one of the key ways to display our confidence. So if it doesn't feel natural, force yourself to do it. I have a bad habit of looking down when I start to get nervous, so I have to remind myself to look my audience in the eyes. It doesn't (and shouldn't) mean that you are staring someone in the face your entire performance, but play with your gaze. Make eye contact for a few seconds and then look away. Repeat on a different audience member. The more you practice, the more natural it will start to feel.

3. Change Your Facial Expression - dance is a conversation, and just like in a normal conversation, your facial expression should change as you express yourself. Imagine how you would feel talking with someone who either failed to make an expression or just had a stiff smile for the length of your conversation with them. It would be awkward and uncomfortable. If you do this to your audience while performing, they will feel the same way. So make sure your expression changes to match the nature of the music. When appropriate, smile naturally, which includes smiling with the eyes as well. And keep in mind that you don't have your mouth closed for the entire length of your performance. When we talk, we have to open our mouths. Same goes for a performance. If your lips are sealed the entire time, you're closing off the figurative dialogue between you and your audience.

4. Slow Down - we've all done it; when that nervous energy takes over we start to move faster and faster. We feel we have to remain in constant motion or we're going to loose our audience's attention. But a performance needs nuance and dimension. It needs both fast and slow, smooth and sharp. But if you're dancing like the energizer bunny, your audience will get tired with you. So take a deep breath in and slow down. Stopping completely can even add in great dramatic effect. Especially when you make your entrance, it's very important to remember to keep the speed down. When you first walk out onto the stage, your audience really just wants to look at you. They are trying to determine who you are. They want to see your costume, jewelry, hair, and makeup. So let them! And remember, you don't have to do every move you've ever learned each time you take the stage. Sometimes less is more!

5. Remember, Your Audience Wants You to Succeed - no one goes to a belly dance performance hoping to see the dancer fail. No one wants you to trip and fall, have a costume malfunction, drop your sword, or forget your choreography. They came to be entertained and have a good time. They came to be happy. Some of my favorite performances to watch were not because the dancer "wowed" me with her technique, but were when the dancer conveyed her joy to me. So stop worrying, relax, enjoy yourself, and your audience will too.

Photo Credit: Picture of Saida from www.cadernosdedanca.wordpress.com

Why I Love Belly Dance

Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Our national day of love filled with flowers, chocolates, sentimental cards. and candle-light dinners. But as we all know, love is certainly broader than just the romantic type. Which made me think about what else I love in my life; my family and friends, Menchie's frozen yogurt, sleeping in, picnics, international travel, sequin high heels, creativity, living in Queen Anne, popsicles, sitting by the water, and of course, belly dance. Let me share with you the reasons why I love belly dance so much.

Belly dance rescued me. When I signed up for my first belly dancing class, I was going through a very hard time personally. I had been hurt very deeply by someone close to me: my heart was broken and I felt like everything I'd believed about that person had been a lie. I was so physically and emotionally drained in fact that I couldn't even get myself off the couch to go to the first class. However, the instructor called me the next day, said there were still spots open and encouraged me to come the following week. Despite having worried myself literally sick before class, I managed to pull it together and go. And I will never regret that decision. Being in class gave me the time and space to turn my thoughts off and just focus on my movements. I came to look forward to class each week as my time to tune everything out and just be present. It was my time to heal. To this day, I can't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't made it to that second week of class.

Belly dance comes with costumes! I as the type of little girl who ran around in tutus and princess costumes, my love of dress-up has certainly not faded with age. I don't know what other job or hobby allows a grown woman to dress up in sequins, crystals, and chiffon on days that aren't Halloween without been seen as completely loony. My wallet may feel differently, but I will forever remain a complete sucker for a beautiful outfit.

Belly dance is a good workout. I cringe at the thought of getting on the treadmill. I watch each second slowly tick by and hope to just fast forward to the end. But dancing is different. I can lose myself for hours in a belly dance workout, as I hone my technique and create my art. I get my workout in without even knowing it.

Belly dance has boosted my confidence. It takes guts to stand in front of a group of people, in what is at times nothing more than a glorified swimsuit, and perform. Especially for an introvert like myself. But challenging myself to do so, to push myself even my palms are sweating and my stomach is in my throat has empowered me. That empowerment and confidence has seeped over into other areas of my life and has helped me be brave in countless other settings.

Belly dance has given me purpose. A few years out of college I hit my quarterlife crisis: I graduated from college magna cum laude, scored a professional job, passed the CPA exam (yup, that's my day job), bought a car, got a boyfriend, and was living my grown-up life. But all I could think is what now? I'm here, following the traditional steps of the American dream, but all my passion for life has died. As I was learning belly dance, my passion reignited. I had technique to perfect, cultures to learn, choreography to memorize, costumes to buy, performances to watch, workshops to attend, and a new community to meet. It brought joy to my life. And now as a teacher, I get the wonderful privilege of being able to share that joy with others. I get to see women's faces lite up with smiles as they challenge themselves in new ways. I get to hear students laugh and say that was the funnest thing they've done in a long time. And I'm deeply honored to be sharing this experience with them.

What do you love? What makes you smile and laugh out loud? What gives you the happy wiggles and makes you want to shout from the rooftops? February is the month to embrace it. Share your love below.