You’re a month into the dance year, . Has it been smooth sailing so far, or do you feel in over your head?

When I went away to ballet school, I learned a ton and made countless fond memories, but it was a lot to take on. 12-hour days were common; time and energy for the "extras" my teachers suggested, were not. I loved ballet and wanted to keep learning, but sometimes I struggled to keep up.

When I eventually got around to my teachers’ advice, it helped me take better care of my body, understand technique more deeply, and smooth out the cycle of motivation and self-criticism.

I'm taking a wee break to replenish my spoons¹ after having a blast leading Intro to Ballet. I'll be back in action mid-October, but in the meantime I'm sharing some ballet advice my teachers gave me, with bite sized versions that fit into busy lives: