Ms. Poppy Chiffon — the doyenne of dance, the baroness of ballroom etiquette, the sultana of Southern hospitality — is pleased to answer your dance-related questions. Here are a few queries that Poppy deigned to extract from her mailbag this week. If you have a question that you would like Poppy Chiffon to address, please e-mail her at askpoppy@dancestationusa.com. Ms. Chiffon regrets that she cannot respond individually to questions.
Dear Poppy,
Oh no, it’s just days away from the Summer Showcase and my performance anxiety is rising. My heart flutters when I think of dancing Sunday afternoon, and I know it will only get worse right before I perform. I am afraid that I will screw up and look like a fool to my family, friends and peers. How can I compose myself so that my performance is not affected?
Stage Fright
Dear Stage Fright,
Truly, public presentation can be very hard for a lot of people. Don’t let your fears of under-performing and being judged sweep your thoughts away into negativity. Sugar, you have to accept the fact that there is always the possibility of a negative outcome, but why focus on it; and being judged poorly by others especially your family, friends, and peers is a ludicrous perception. Save your energy for your performing. Concentrate on the aspects that bring you joy in dancing. Accept yourself and think of the performing as a gift of yourself. A gift from you to all who are watching.
Dear Poppy,
I can’t stop thinking about all the technique, my footwork, my posture, the choreography, …, AHHHHHHHHHHH! I have practiced so much and worked so hard for the opportunity to perform at the Summer Showcase, but I am so nervous! I can’t seem to keep my mind from racing through all my routines over and over. How can I keep focused on everything at once?
Overwhelmed
Dear Overwhelmed,
First of all Sweetie, you do not need to worry about remembering if you have been practicing and working so hard. You have an auto pilot that you have to trust will take over for you. Also it may help you to stay in the moment if you try to keep your focus on one thing in particular instead of so many things at once. Perhaps you need to focus on keeping your right shoulder down in dance position when dancing your waltz. So that’s all you are allowed to think of when performing your waltz, nothing more. Maybe you need to focus on using your standing leg more. So that’s all you think of and nothing else. Single out one thing you can focus on for each style that you are dancing and let go of all the rest. This will help you to relax and perform your very best.
To Everyone Participating in the Summer Showcase, BREAK A LEG!
Pretty please, come and support your family, friends, and peers Sunday, August 2, from 3-5 p.m. The dancing will be lovely and entertaining!
