Discoveries on emotional health

Having decided on focusing on the emotional well-being of dancers, through more reading and researching, a new and improved investigation has been formulated:

How do professional ballet dancers cope emotionally and maintain emotional resilience to face the challenges within the various stages of working towards performances.

The mental and emotional side of a dancer’s practice is lesser explored (refer to fonding balance), and is an attribute that is necessary to have in order to solve any adversity the professional ballet industry poses on a dancer. (link theory of emotional resilience- bouncing back) Emotionally healthy people approach challenges and stress with a better more positive mindset, and are able to cope and solve a problem effectively.

In the midst of rehearsals leading up towards our next big production ‘Spring and Fall’ (triple bill of John Neumeier), I have noticed there are quite a number challenges that come with the whole process.

Working towards a performance requires dedication, motivation, practice, skill and hard work. As ballet dancers are always working towards some sort of goal and reward, and constantly trying to be better, the performance can be seen as the next ultimate goal to be better at. Challenges along the way are always part of the package. Physically they need to overcome these challenges, but what is as important is to be mentally strong. Thanks to this detailed source, http://www.mentalhelp.net/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=5799&cn=298

 it has helped create a foundation and starting point for my investigation on this lesser-known topic.

I have discovered that the core ingredient to providing this strength is resilience. And the foundation of this feeling of resilience comes from your emotions and feelings, as they are what drive you to act a certain way, and react to certain situations. This drive sparks up motivation and inspiration, positvity and a healthy positive mind-set towards work and life in general. Therefore in all stages of the build up to any performance, keeping that resilience (emotionally) going is vital in order to solve the various challenges that will in turn create a dancer to improve in every aspect of their work and life. From experience, knowledge and awareness they will learn how to cope better.

It has also been very interesting to apply these theories to my experiences so far with the ballet company and our rehearsal process. I have really noticed and tried to identify the different challenges that fall into the different stages.

I have observed frustration (in myself and others) in everyday class, with castings and rehearslas when having to mainatain technique and an ideal body shape even though some of the younger dancers may not be used in much. There have been motivation issues, a few injuries and dancers down. Fatigue and stress with some of soloists and pronciples who are doing everything. All of these obstacles have affected on our emotions and feelings. By being more aware of having to be more more assertive and aware myself, stay positive and try approach certain situations has been eye opening. There is so much behind maintaining a good emotional resilience. It shows how important it is to have in one’s life, and for sure would be beneficial in a ballet dancer’s life to upkeep.

“…Nurturing positive emotional states is one of the most important things a person can do to benefit themselves.” (H.Mills, M.Dombeck)