What I Learned At My Last Comp

stash said:
I have learned that more people need to clean their costumes and put way more deodorant on. You don't realize how bad it can get until you are standing where judges are for the entire event. So gross.
Click to expand...
Sometimes I think this is deliberate. They know their partner is used to their funk and everyone in the on deck area not so much. The funk might take all the oxygen out of their competition's lungs to give them that slight edge they need.
 
RiseNFall said:
I learned that there is a level of feeling mentally and physically unprepared that means that I really should not step out on the competition floor! I also learned that even if you have been dancing, if you have been dancing poorly, you don't necessary have the muscles to dance well. All in all, it was pretty awful. At one point I asked pro how many heats until our next set. The answer was 12, so I said, "Good. I need to go have a short break down." When I got back, he tried to say encouraging things, and I had to tell him to stop talking because I couldn't afford to cry...given the eye makeup and no time to fix it and all. The primary issue is a bunch of non-dance related things going on that are resulting in my being exhausted, stressed, not taking care of myself etc. I just (ha!) need to fix all of that. Honestly, if I hadn't tried, I wouldn't have known that I had hit my limit.

The good part of the weekend was watching the New Guys. One did very well in the pro competitions. His partner works for another studio, so it gave us an extra set of students to watch and cheer for during the competition. The other one did very well with his pro-am students. Everything you want to see: supportive, engaged, they danced well, he managed the "look good without overwhelming your students" thing, which is not always easy. Very, very nice. Another one of his students came to watch part of the competition to get a feel for it and will likely compete sometime this year. I had coffee with some of them this morning and one of them said something very astute about the studio and the owners, "I don't know exactly what they have done to create what we have at the studio, but I am positive that it is not just accidental or a coincidence."
Click to expand...
I SO can relate to your post about being mentally and physically unprepared- my first comp with current pro was all of that- it was bad- and worse- I wasn't expecting that- plus I didn't want him to see me in that vulnerable spot- fast forward- and now I am better, stronger, less vulnerable- but I feel for those that are in that spot, because it can happen to any of us at any time
 
stash said:
I have learned that more people need to clean their costumes and put way more deodorant on. You don't realize how bad it can get until you are standing where judges are for the entire event. So gross.
Click to expand...

Guilty.... especially with my practice dress. :shy:

You try to keep on top of washing things but I practice 5 nights a week... even with rotating dresses I tend to forget.

Another thing I've learned: It looks like women leaving their hair down has now become a thing! Right when I've nearly perfected doing my own hair! :mad:
 
my last comp was a first with my current pro...so it felt like a bit of a nightmare...but I am wondering if it sort of took out the sting for panicking ever again
 
When I decided to go ahead and do this comp that is part of what I said: hey, if it's really bad then my worst fears will have been realized, I will survive it, and then I won't ever have to worry again! Not sure I'm there, however.

I have no problem with pro seeing me having a bit of a break down--honestly it comes with the territory of me and dancing--but I do NOT want to have one in public. One of the other competitors realized how close I was to losing it, but I know her well enough that we could laugh about it together.
 
I think the hardest part for me was that I really don't know or understand my current pro...he is very different from my previous pros...much more social... so it still just feels uncomfortable...but I guess that is just part of the process
 
I find it stressful negotiating the semi-social situations at comps. I like it when the pros announce, "Everybody is going to have lunch together. Come join us." or "I am going upstairs for a while. Do you need anything before I go?" (i.e. I am off duty, I need a break from all of you for a while, don't interrupt me unless the hotel is on fire--and actually, even then you can assume somebody else will let me know.) My first pro, having seen the awkwardness that students go through, even explained to me what to expect before our first comp together.
 
RiseNFall said:
I find it stressful negotiating the semi-social situations at comps. I like it when the pros announce, "Everybody is going to have lunch together. Come join us." or "I am going upstairs for a while. Do you need anything before I go?" (i.e. I am off duty, I need a break from all of you for a while, don't interrupt me unless the hotel is on fire--and actually, even then you can assume somebody else will let me know.) My first pro, having seen the awkwardness that students go through, even explained to me what to expect before our first comp together.
Click to expand...

I was very lucky that my first comp a very nice dance mom showed my the ropes though I did learn a very important lesson.. Keep track of where your clothes after you dance are! I was so stressed the I didn't hear that someone had put my clothes in a different place so I nearly had to walk down the streets of Blackpool in a borrowed hoody. Luckily the clothes were found
 
It is amazing how far a smile and good posture can get you. My rhythm is really not all that good, but my top two priorities were posture and not looking horrified. The judges were not fooled, but I got a lot of complements that were clearly sincere. Having a Pro that can work with pretty much anything you do helps as well. ;)
 
Ugh. I learned that I've been practicing too much with counting...because I visibly count in my cha and mambo on my video. Mortifying. and that I rely on visual cues more than i realize. if i could swear here, i would swear loudly and for a very long time. It was not a good comp. Smooth was slightly better than rhythm, but urgh. bloody frustrated. ALTHOUGH, not despondent, as I was earlier in the year. More motivated to improve this time.
 
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