adrenalin

[Kitty]

At the last comp I was really nervous... I didn't think we were going to make the final... but we won the event and got to the semis in the one level above our's...

I am going to another comp in a week, only doing the higher level now... and I am just so worried again :shock: . Seems like I'm more worried than ever before!

Is this a normal cycle? to be always worried at a comp? Is this what is supposed to make it more interesting? Nerve wracking experience for me...

Or am I just not competing often enough (once a month)?

[Twilight_Elena]

A little nervousness is perfectly normal, IMO. When I don't feel nervous about something I should be nervous about, it makes me worry because, for me, it means that I'm in a state of shock and I'm not really in touch with my environment.
I was at a poetic reading contest a couple of weeks ago. I was scared witless, I tell you. But when I got up there at the scene and opened my book and started reading, I forgot everything. It was me and the poem.
And guess what? I won 2nd prize. :wink: :D
So I think the trick is that you forget about everything when you're on the dancefloor and only focus on the music and your partner. Then everything will be fine. :D

Twilight Elena

[Kitty]

Usually when I am worried I can't think or feel anything in the first round or two; I completely blank out :shock: . The problem is in the higher levels there are usually less rounds, so being so worried also means I don't get to dance my best, or even my normal.

Don't know what to do about it. Maybe practice more (while taking same number of lessons) so that I'm confident in my ability to reproduce my good dancing? And do rounds... But I am already practicing quite a bit. We know there is ever enough...

[Ms_Sunlight]

There's only so much you can practice, just because there are only a certain number of hours in the day. Practicing is good because the more you do something, the more it becomes natural to you, but have you thought about learning some relaxation exercises like breathing / meditation / visualisation to help calm you down and focus you?

Personally, if I'm freaked out I like to sing. That might sound weird but concentrating on the song takes your mind off what's worrying you and it also helps regulate my breathing. I'm not a trained singer but I was in a choir for years as a teenager and have picked up some techniques. If I'm in a situation where it would look funny to sing -- in the waiting room before an interview or whatever -- I follow a song in my head. It's all about distraction.

[Nik]

Give it some time and you won't be nervous one bit. I remember I used to be nervous too, but the more comps you dance, the easier it becomes.

I remember one time at the worlds in Miami I was in the same heat as timokhin, ricardo, katsevman, and many of the other greatest couples. I was 15 at the time and nervous as hell. Then the music started, I forgot anyone else was there and just did my thing.

[standardgirl]

if it really bothers you that bad, there is a medicine that you can take half an hour before the round starts. I have never used it for the purpose of danc competitions, so I don't know how well they work. But my flute teacher, former principle flutist in a major symphony orchestra told me that all her friends at the music school take that pill. Her husband, who now works in Detroit symphony orchestra told me that once in a while, the soloiest at DSO takes the pill. I took it once for my flute recital, and it worked PERFECT! I was so clear, and I wasn't nervous at all (play the flute and tha piano are the two things that always make me nervous, I don't even know why, because I don't get nervous for anything else). I would need to look up the name of the pill, since I don't remember it off my mind right now, but is there anyone else out there who knows what I am talking about?

[Joe]

if it really bothers you that bad, there is a medicine that you can take half an hour before the round starts.
It's called a shot of vodka. ;)

[SurfSalsa]

I prefer 1/2 tequilla, 1/2 stoh rum and a dash of tabasco!! :lol:

Seriously, try "Rescue Remedy" - it's a natural remedy (i.e. herbal concoction!!) that calms you, but doesn't slow down any of your senses. Much better than any pills!

[Katarzyna]

Kitty, you shouldn't be worried, you will do well! But I know how it is...

I remmeber at the beginning I was not worried at all, but when I started competing at higher levels, I started worrying more an more. I think there is more pressure as you put more time into training and practice. The more you work on something, they more you care how you preform ... (And you've been quite a dedicated dancer)

Can't say this will go away quickly, I am still stressed during the 1st or second round of a comp. (Especially when I know I SHOULD do well)....

Regarding that medicine Joe mentioned, I used it the 1st time I danced open at a real comp... Let's just say it didn't help :)

[Purr]

How about a glass of wine instead?

[Katarzyna]

hm.. Maybe next time...

[spatten]

Actors spend a lot of time finding tricks to calm perfromance nerves. Directors all seem to have their special tricks too. Being nervous before performance is good, the challenge is to translate your nervous energy into something you can use on stage or on the dance floor.

Many people do wonders with visualization techniques - taking 10 minutes, controlling your breathe, closing your eyes, laying flat on the ground, and picturing what you want to look like out on the floor. Personally, I always sat down before a performance and played the piano. I took about 10 minutes and just focused on some more difficult pieces. Now if I could only get comps to provide a piano for my use - it would be easier :)

That is the key word - FOCUS. That is the gateway to translating your energy. I know this all sounds silly and metaphysical but it honestly works for a lot of people.

Twiligt_Elena is right - if you are not nervous that is a bad sign. You need that edge - that the nervous energy gives you. I don't think you ever want to get to the point of not being nervous. I've seen directors do some pretty funny things to keep you on your toes - during a performance. One director through a rubber chicken on stage during a Shakespeare performance - we were a bit shocked, and working very hard to stay in character. It did liven up the scene :)

[Twilight_Elena]

Regarding that medicine Joe mentioned, I used it the 1st time I danced open at a real comp... Let's just say it didn't help :)

Couldn't walk a straight line of dance? :P

Twilight Elena

[Katarzyna]

Regarding that medicine Joe mentioned, I used it the 1st time I danced open at a real comp... Let's just say it didn't help :)

Couldn't walk a straight line of dance? :P

Twilight Elena

No, I was too nervous for alcohol to have any effect... Stayed nervous, but with a bad alcohol breath...

[Ms_Sunlight]

Next time, try a shot of sambuca. It makes your breath smell nice. I can't guarantee that you'll be immune to the effects though!

[Kitty]

what is sambuca?

[Kitty]

if it really bothers you that bad, there is a medicine that you can take half an hour before the round starts.
It's called a shot of vodka. ;)

I did have my coach tell me to drink to relax at comps... :P


seriously though, being nervous at a comp is one thing,

but what to do about stressing for the few weeks before the comp... drink every day, for few weeks straight? doubt that would improve the results...

[Joe]

Sambuca is an Italian liqueur that's sometimes put in espresso (at least my dad and his French friend do). It smells/tastes vaguely like liquorice, or a bit like ouzo, if you've ever tried that.

[SurfSalsa]

Twiligt_Elena is right - if you are not nervous that is a bad sign. You need that edge - that the nervous energy gives you.

This is very true! A friend of mine who did drama said their producer always told then it was good if they got butterflies in their stomach - but they had to train the butterflies to fly in formation! I.e. harness that energy, control it and re-route it to work for you so you put more in and get more out of the performance! True words, but not so easily done as said...

(I must add they were so hyped up and adrenalised after a performance, they could not sleep most of the night - could be good to get those flutterbyes flying in formation for dancing all night after the performance! :P )

[Kitty]

Can't say this will go away quickly, I am still stressed during the 1st or second round of a comp. (Especially when I know I SHOULD do well)....

yes exactly, I did well at the last comp and beat some couples that I didn't expect I'd be able to beat, and now I am afraid cause now I feel I SHOULD do as well as at the last comp (otherwise it would be a regress), but probably can't, especially since I was sick and didn't practice at all for a week :shock: .


Also I just can't believe I'm dancing gold now... I was silver for exactly one month! before that I was bronze and now I am doing gold :shock: . This will be the second time I am doing gold.

[LXC]

(I must add they were so hyped up and adrenalised after a performance, they could not sleep most of the night - could be good to get those flutterbyes flying in formation for dancing all night after the performance! :P )

I'll admit that I cannot sleep the night of a big comp. Maybe the reason is I don't go to many comps and when I get to go, it's a big one like the nationals and I get too hyped. Another reason is I don't sleep well away from home and I usually have to travel for comps. So I take sleeping pills the night before the comp and after the comp. The good thing is I can usually get through the competition itself pretty well.

[mamboqueen]

Ever try Yoga, Kitty? Nothing relaxes my mind and body more. Even just the breathing and emptying your mind part should help, and you can do that without a video... just a thought.