I am the first person to barrel through pain, injury, etc. For good or bad, it’s in my nature, it’s how I was trained as a young dancer. It’s what I have always done throughout my career and was just common practice during my generation. And, there is merit in teaching young dancers to know what injuries and situations they can work through safely, what modifications they can make and how to keep going. But, it is a fine line as to what is healthy and unhealthy practice and we need to help our dancers understand the difference.
When my dancers are sick, injured or just feeling, “off,” I always ask them to be honest with themselves and me about what they can safely work through and what they really feel they can’t. We dialogue about it. At this stage of my teaching career (and perhaps becoming a Mom has also altered my perception) it has me begging the question, “When is pushing though a good thing and when is it a detriment?” When does it give our young dancers the wrong message that we have to endure pain, illness, mental health issues, anxiety, etc. in order to not miss class or performance? How do we temper the idea of, “rallying ourselves” when necessary with being mindful enough to honor one’s body and mental state and not feel bad to back off and just say, ”No?”
The more this issue presents itself, the more important it is as educators to be aware of how unhealthy “barreling through” can potentially be. Especially, when the idea is tethered to a child’s own ideas of disappointment. Disappointing us as teachers, parents, themselves, their fellow dancers, etc. “Pushing through” can often and understandingly be confused with strength and weakness and we need to be very careful of the narrative on this. Are they doing it for themselves or is this about you? How do we make sure dancers understand the difference of when pushing through is good and when it’s not?
Well, for one, it should always be accompanied with honest, open discussions involving students, studio owner, faculty and parents and reminding dancers they are not disappointing anyone if something is going on and they can’t perform. Is it really worth a competition trophy to have a young dancer barrel through with the flu or a sprained ankle, or mental health issue? I can’t answer this for you, but I do know our individual responsibility is to put our students’ well-being first. It is also our responsibility to be mindful and aware enough to make sure we do not convey disappointment to impressionable young dancers; thereby placing unnecessary pressure on them to succeed when they’re not 100%. Remember, there is always a way to, “make it work” and while it may cause some stress, it’s just as easy to re-stage a piece for a missing dancer as it is for them to take the stage with injury.
Sometimes we do need to make the final, unfavorable call to take a dancer out when we know it’s best for them because they won’t do it for themselves. And that’s our job. Just as much as teaching the steps and also pushing them beyond their comfort zone when we recognize there is more to give. It is a very delicate area for sure, with a lot of gray areas, but whatever your take is on this topic, there’s one thing we can all agree on- stop and ask yourself, “What is in the best interest of your dancer?” Physically, mentally, spiritually, etc. You wouldn’t send your severely sick or injured child to school, so why should dance be any different? Let’s, “push” our dancers in the most positive, uplifting way and commit to honor them as individuals who should more so be taught how to make important decisions about themselves which are healthy, honest and right for them. That is going to nurture strong, confident dancers that know their bodies and minds inside and out. Isn’t that all we want for them anyway?
Good luck,
See you in the dance studio,
Jess
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