After owning a studio for 38 years, I can tell you with certainty: this time of year, is its own unique beast. We are deep in the trenches of the season. The excitement of the new year has worn off, but the finish line of the recital is still looming in the distance.

Whatever you want to call it—the slump, the wall, the slog—it often feels like nothing more than a daily grind.

It is "go time" all the time. We are frantically finishing choreography, cleaning numbers, and mentally managing the logistics of costuming and staging. But amidst the administrative chaos, there is an emotional toll that often goes unspoken. This is the exact window when students start to crack under the pressure, too.

You might notice the energy shifting in the classroom. Dancers who are usually eager to please begin to push back on corrections. Exhaustion manifests as attitude, and sometimes, they can be downright rude. It is easy to take this personally, especially when you are pouring every ounce of your creative energy into making them look their best.

But with all of this going on—the deadlines, the drama, the physical exhaustion—it becomes non-negotiable to stop and focus on our own well-being.

As teachers, we are the battery that powers the studio. If we are drained, the room feels it. If we are burnt out, the choreography suffers. To be inspiring, we need to stay inspired.

So, consider this your mid-season permission slip. Take a moment to step back from the grind. Whether it’s taking a quiet walk, listening to music that has nothing to do with your recital theme, or simply getting an extra hour of sleep, prioritize the things that refill your cup.

Your students need your guidance, but more than that, they need your light. Protect it fiercely.

Sidebar: 5-Minute "Power Down" for Dance Teachers

The studio is loud, the mirrors are bright, and your body is tired. Use these micro-breaks to reset your nervous system.

1. The "Mirror Fast": Step into a room without mirrors (or turn the studio lights off) for five full minutes. Your brain spends all day processing reflections and corrections; giving your eyes a break from the mirror reduces mental fatigue instantly.
2. The Tennis Ball Roll-Out: Keep a tennis or lacrosse ball in your bag. Take your teaching shoes off and roll the ball under your arches for two minutes per foot. It releases the tension that travels up your posterior chain to your lower back.
3. The "Audio Palate Cleanser": Don't just sit in silence—put on noise-canceling headphones with "brown noise" or rain sounds. It actively scrubs the repetitive 8-counts and recital music loops from your working memory.
4. Invert Your Posture: If you’ve been standing all day, lie flat on your back with your knees bent (constructive rest). If you’ve been sitting at the desk, go hang from a doorway or stretch your hip flexors. Do the opposite of what your body has been doing for the last three hours.

Here’s to your success this season!

PS: Here is another idea to fire you up, Join us this summer in Vegas. LEARN MORE HERE!