Guide to Bullet Journaling for Dancers

This is a long-promised post, so I really hope it helps out those of you who are already bujo fans, or if you’re interested in starting your first bullet journal. I’m going to tell you about bullet journaling, why bullet journaling is a useful practice for dancers, how I use my bullet journal, and give…

Review: MiGoals Goal Planner & Diary

I hope that everyone has been having a great month & start to 2019! As promised, here is my second of three posts showing you some of the ways I use planners and journals to keep on top of things in my dance and personal life. The first post talked about The Happiness Planner and…

My Afternoon at English National Ballet

Hi everyone! Sorry it’s been a while- I’ve just moved into a new flat, and finished my first year at university- where did that time go?! That means that as well as my university classes, vocational ballet classes, teaching commitments and commitments to social media work, I’ve been packing, unpacking, commuting from my boyfriend’s parents’…

Finding the balance between health and body positivity

Most dancers I know are pretty obsessed with health: myself included. As people with such a physically demanding lifestyle, it is important that we are well-nourished and energised to get through each day, perform at our best, and avoid injuries. Dance as a profession also demands an especially slim physique, so dancers are usually keen…

31 Heartbreaking Moments All Dancers Have Experienced

Only realising the tip of the bobby has come off when you try to put it in your bun and it rips your hair out. Forgetting your skirt and having to take class feeling naked. Telling people you’re a dancer/ training to be a dancer and they reply with “Oh, like a dance teacher?” Thinking…

Self- Care Tips for Dancers

Dance is incredibly demanding, especially at a serious level. As dancers, we not only give an incredible amount of mental and physical energy to what we do, but what we do also informs the rest of our lives. You can’t keep dance and life separate, because when you dance, it IS your life. When every…

Dare to Dance is now on Facebook!

Just a quick one to let you all know that there is now a Facebook page for Dare to Dance- you can like the page here! How exciting!   Also make sure you’re following on Twitter and Instagram for updates and insights into my dance journey every day! -Jessica x

#wedaretodance; Standing Up for Accessibility in Dance

When I started this blog several years ago, and when I relaunched it recently as Dare to Dance, I had the idea that I wanted to document my dance journey, because I am taking an unusual route into my dance career. I started dancing much later than most, and didn’t begin serious training until adulthood….

Grit and Deliberate Practice

I have recently listened to an audiobook called “Grit: the power of passion and perseverance” by Angela Duckworth, which has been so enlightening to me in my dance training and pursuit of my goals, I feel I need to share some of what I have learned. First of all, I highly recommend that you read…

Things Dancers Can Learn from Olympians

With the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in full swing, everyone’s attention is on these extraordinary people who have achieved the unachievable. These are people who have devoted themselves to a goal and reached excellence- seeing people’s dreams coming true as they win medals for their country is surprisingly emotional and incredibly inspiring. I found myself thinking-…