Negative Thoughts & Self Affirmation

I previously mentioned how my Inquiry research had introduced me to the importance of Self Affirming and my arguement of its potential to constitute an important role of a dancers need to nourishment. Further research into the topic lead me to more sources that have recognised into it's importance for a dancers well being and professional ability.

Setting The Barre, (2015). on negative thoughts. [online] Available at: 
http://settingthebarreblog.com/2015/01/13/on-negative-thoughts/

Also found by a fellow BAPP student Gabrielle, this blog has been created by a professional dancer who uses their own experiences and findings to support and advise other dancers or aspiring professionals. The post I was most interested in was the one that refers to the importance of having positive thoughts as a dancer. Something I have recognised in my own practice since starting my research. It is common knowledge for dancers that some days in the studio are better than others and yet even the awareness of this does not seem to provide any comfort for the dancer experiencing a bad day;

"When a dancer is having a bad day (and believe me, we have plenty!), it usually means we are hyper focused on our flaws, tearing our technique apart, and subsequently hating what we see in the mirror…ultimately, as you can imagine, this is completely crippling.  But not surprising, considering we spend our days and nights striving for perfection"

I have always been of the opinion that the main problem for a dancers emotional well being is the fact that we are always trying to be "perfect" and yet I vividly remember being told at age eleven that "Practice will not make perfect, it will only make you improve" by my vocational teachers. Meaning that a dancers ultimate aim can never be achieved. Often leading to a negative attitude towards ourselves and our work. This dancer's blog recognises this problem and lists a few suggestions of how to help with the negative cycle and encourage a more positive attitude.

My attention was immediately drawn to the final tip;

"Practice affirmations.  I have a very good friend who swears by self-affirmations, also known as sweet nothings whispered (or better yet, spoken loudly with conviction) to one’s self each day in the mirror.  It may feel strange at first, but studies show that sending your brain these positive reinforcements triggers a growth in confidence and an improvement in overall mental health."

Eureka !!!!

Apart from the direct discussion of the benefits of self affirmating in (Hungry for Change, 2012) and (BlogTalkRadio.com, 2013) this blog was the first I had come across that argues it is especially helpful for a dancer. This professional dancer has not only heard of self affirmation but has taken the opinion of herself and a friend to recommend it. This helped me to confirm the importance of affirmations to a dancer and wished to pursue the subject in my interviews. 

Jarrett, S. (2007). Healthy-Minded. Dance Spirit, (5), p.20

This article also claimed to understand what a dancer needs in order to dance to the best of their ability;

"Without a strong body, a healthy mental attitude and proper nutrition you'd never be able to train, rehearse, perform, tour and compete".

Also listing tips for a dancer who wishes to improve in their practice. Affirmations were also mentioned in the approach of recognises your own achievements within your practice and using it to create a positive approach to future work. I have not until recently thought about how far I have come since I wished to be a ballerina at age four. Many of my sources are able to recognise how much blood, sweat and tears are necessary in the battle to become a professional dancer but very little encourage you to recognise it. Whilst in training we were visited by a professional dancer whose advice consisted of telling us to always raise the bar of expectation. Although I do agree this is important for the improvement of the dancer how many of us actually take the time to congratulate ourselves for what we have accomplished? I know I certainly.

"Give yourself positive mental encouragement. Congratulate yourself for mastering a step, and psych yourself up to try a challenging move one more time. By saying 'I can do it', you acknowledge that your goals are within reach, making it more likely that you'll succeed"

It is becoming an ever growing realisation of mine that to define nutrition as being merely food would be to say that all a dancer needs for "nourishment" in their lives and therefore career would be to eat the "correct" food. The exploration I have made through literature and my interviews seem to being saying otherwise. Although my interviews also seem to be showing that, like my own opinion, the importance of self affirmation does not seem to be widely promoted, considered or practiced.