2020 well what can we say? It was not great, in fact for some, it might have been the worst year in generations... 

But guess what, it's behind us now and although we still don't know for sure what lies ahead, at least we know that no matter how bad things get we are able to persevere, make adjustments and get on with it.

2020 has shown us that we have a strong, supportive and passionate Irish dance community spanning the globe. We saw this through the many beautiful video collaborations, online performances & displays, dancers learning via Zoom and even the first International Irish Dance Day last September 17th!! All in all, when you focus on the positive, it was actually a pretty exciting year!

It's understandable that Irish dancers may be feeling fed up, burnt out and unmotivated but here are 5 reasons why now is the time to GET UP AND DANCE! 

1. There is a vaccine, there is hope.

No matter how sceptical you may be, the fact is that there IS a vaccine and it IS being rolled out. Who knows how long it will take before we can all get safely back to dance class and competing, but it is HOPEFUL and it gives us light at the end of the tunnel.

2. You have had time to process, reflect and adjust - now it's time to TAKE CHARGE.

Ok, we get it, what an INSANE year. It is COMPLETELY acceptable to have taken your time to process everything that went on. Never before in your generation or even your parents generation was there such a global emergency. It was hard, stressful and no matter whether you are a child or adult, it was A LOT to cope with for everyone.

BUT, now is the time to take charge, to take back your life, take back your hobby, passion and goals.

You have already invested endless hours of practice in studio and at home, you have suffered the not-so-great results but also celebrated the wins, big and small.

Think how many important birthdays you have missed, the torture you have inflicted on your own legs and feet, the blisters, bumps and bruises (oh the blisters!!), think of the injuries you suffered and overcame, the disappointments and set backs that made you stronger.

All of this has made you who you are today and will continue to build you into the person you will eventually become. Don't let all that be wasted, it's time to lace up your dance shoes, put on your favourite dance outfit and take back whats yours.

3. “When you are not practicing, remember somewhere someone is practicing, and when you meet them, they will win.”

There will come a moment in the not so distance future when you will step up to dance in your dance studio or on stage, and point your toe. While standing there waiting for your 8 bar intro you will say one of two things to yourself:

1. “Oh dear, I am pointing my toe but I can already feel the weakness in my calf muscles and quads, I don’t even feel like I am able to fully arch my foot, my arch looks like a dead fish and It feels like my muscles are jelly!! Hang on, how did my steps go again? What was that part that I was meant to drill?? I am DEFINITELY going to pull a muscle on my first kick, oh dear… I should have started practicing sooner, my teacher is going to KILL me.

Or

2. “Wow, my muscles feel tight and strong, look at my ARCHES, I could take someones eyes out with those! My muscles feel like MACHINES, I cannot wait to show my teacher how flexible I am and how I can now kick above my head, I am so looking forward to showing how much drilling I have done on each little part of the steps, my teacher is going to be SO proud, I am even proud of myself!”

It’s up to you which one of those toe pointing thoughts you want to have... if it is number two then as soon as you are finished reading this post start planning your practice routine and GET UP AND DANCE!

4. Online Feisanna are now a thing - be ready.

That’s right, 2021 will be the year of the Online Feis, this will be a first for many and the opportune moment to get back into the headspace for competition.

Some have been lucky enough to have been able to compete over the last year but for most, a Feis is but a distant memory!

Get yourself ready for online Feis-ing and think of it as a preparation for when you are back on stage. Get organised with your filming space, know the rules set out for online competitions and start your practice plan before filming day.

Remember, you are going to be judged by qualified judges who may some day be sitting in front of you while you are on the world stage - don’t undervalue the importance of this new type of competing. Every competition counts and the feedback from a panel of judges from all over the world will be invaluable!

5. Do it for your teachers, they have not had it easy either.

Imagine dance teacher’s might have once had hours of classes to teach every day of the week, some teaching 100's of dancers in any given week in the bigger schools.

Along with that, they were traveling to Feisanna at the weekends to support students and keep up with the trends, spending hours and hours putting together class plans, preparing new steps and choreography, never mind the hours of administration time that goes into running a school or studio.

Now imagine all that taken away and teachers left with their whole life’s work and passion in jeopardy, studios closed, competitions cancelled and very few enrolments of new students for almost a year.

Perhaps now is the time to tell your teacher how much you appreciate and value their time. Maybe send them a message to check in, say thanks and let them know that you miss them but you are look forward to seeing them back at the studio. 

Even better, why not thank your teacher by practicing.

Start a practice plan today and begin working on the drills and corrections your teacher has given you over the last months and years.

After all, the greatest gift you can give a teacher is that you are listening and learning and putting into practice what they have taught you. Imagine getting back to class and your teacher being astonished at how much you have practiced and improved - START NOW, IMPRESS THEM LATER.

Let's motivate and inspire each other, share your experiences, practice tips and favourite drills and we will happily share with the Irish Dance Pro community.

Be sure to leave a comment and share this post with all your dancer friends. We are in this together and its time to GET UP AND DANCE!

#DANCERSMOTIVATINGDANCERS

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