Regress

open_mind

open_mind

Active Member
Is it common to go through what may feel like a regress (as in opposite to progress) in your ballroom dancing? I've been taking more lessons, exercising more (yoga and general gym classes), yet I feel I am dancing worse than 6 months ago. I specifically feel lack of balance recently and overall feel less confident. I am not injured, so it's not that. Honestly, I think I am getting old and it frustrates me a lot.
Any suggestions how to get through this phase gracefully? Is it really a phase, or just natural regression due to my age (50+)? Maybe I need to slow down? Try harder? How to tell the difference? I don't want to stop dancing, but how do I progress when my body wants to slow down?
 
IMO it's common. Not sure about tying it to 50+ although we all do age and the majority of people do slow down to some extent. I sure can't bounce out of bed in the morning like I used to, for example.

Do you have some vids you can compare? You said "feel" not "am". Perhaps it's more perception than reality - you know more today than yesterday so maybe you're more critical/aware? Or maybe it's a just a phase.

Aside from that, Senior II-III isn't all that bad a place to be.
 
Could you just be fatiguing your muscles by doing too much? If I increase exercise too quickly or just consistently push myself without a break, I can experience what you are describing - a general decline in my performance. For me, this has been true since at least my 20s. I need at least one full day of rest each week - at least one. Also, have you changed your diet (or even meal times) in a way that's not giving you enough calories to burn during exercise? I'm sure otherwise may have ideas too.
 
We do all start slowing down as we age. Although, I tell people I can still do anything I could do when I was 25 - just not as long, as quickly, as often, etc. ...... :rolleyes:
 
I would suggest going to a doctor and ruling out anything that might account for your low energy and poorer balance. Then when you are sure you are A-OK, you can look for other solutions or adjust your expectations.
 
Open mind. I went through that and just continued to condition my body and passes thru that dip. Confidence returned when dancing rebounded. Now I'm dancing better than before the dip. Mental toughness helps. Read a lot on the topic when the dip first hit me I'm 55 plus btw
 
I agree with Loki. It could be awareness increasing.

My partner went thru a phase where is awareness of his dancing increased faster than his skill progressed. So, to him, it felt like he was regressing. But actually his dancing was improving remarkably. Just now he can feel the mistakes, things like lowering the heel without control, or losing foot contact with the floor, or pulling back with his arm instead of holding frame. He got discouraged when he watched video and is now able to see mistakes he would not have noticed 6 months ago.

Can you ask an objective third party observer? Perhaps a coach you have not seen in the past few months?
 
I've noticed a big difference as I've gotten older. On the one hand, I have more confidence and technique to bring to the dance floor. On the other hand, I physically don't feel as strong as I used to and I've got more knee issues. I try to find a balance between deliberate practice and tiring myself, dancing competitively but not doing too many heats and focusing on gentler but more effective workouts.
 
Thanks everyone, it helps to know I am not alone. My instructor of course is supportive and insists I am progressing. We shall see. I hear everyone who suggested to take a rest at times. And yeah, mental toughness, I am proud to say I am tough!
Side note: just today I revealed my age to one of my much younger co-workers and his eyes opened wide, he thought I was kidding. Sometimes this kind of things is what needed to give extra motivation to keep going.
 
I think as we move up and become more aware of what we're doing it can feel like we're dancing worse. I used to tell my pro that my bronze self would kick my silver selfs knat. It just felt like I knew what I was doing more and danced stronger then. The more complicated patterns and greater understanding made me feel like a worse dancer. He was adamant this wasn't the case, but it sure felt like it. I had to keep pushing through it.
 
Sometimes as your skills and strength improve, it actually throws you off for a bit. Some years ago, I played in a softball league one summer. I spent a bunch of time in a batting cage at the start of the season, and I worked out my swing and timing and got to where I was making decent contact. By the third or fourth game, I was hitting pretty well. But mid-season, I went into a slump. I finally figured out that the problem was that my body had gotten stronger and consequently my bat had gotten quicker, but that threw my timing off. I tried and tried to re-work my timing, but I finally resorted to the expedient of getting a heavier bat.

I've had the same experience at times in dancing, where as my strength or skill improves, I actually wind up throwing myself off because I learned to compensate for things that don't need to be compensated for anymore, but the compensation was wired into my muscle memory. And in dancing, you don't have the option of getting a heavier bat. :D
 
Hi open_mind, now at 50+ it's time to change your aims, your attitude, your expectations.
What about teaching musicality, what about organizing a regularly social dance event, what about creating your own costumes brand? There is so much left to do for an advanced dancer!
 
All. The. Time.

I usually go through a period of regression - or what feels like one - just before some new technical upgrades solidify. I apparently follow the step back, jump forward progression model :rolleyes:

The only time the regression wasn't followed by a big improvement, I took a few weeks off... then the improvement materialized. I apparently just needed a break... so I incorporated that lesson and scheduled some more downtime into my week. Rest - both sleep and quiet, non-physical activity alone time - are critical for me. When I skimp, my performance suffers.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Dance Ads

Advertise on Dance Forums Reach dancers, teachers, studios, event organizers, and dance-friendly brands. View ad options
Back
Top