All my fellow dancers out there, let me know if this sounds familiar:

You're in the studio, and you're working hard and trying your best to nail something in your technique you've been working on for hours and hours, as you do. And then! That pirouette you just did -- you nailed it flawlessly! That jump? Incredible airtime and your legs looked the nicest and longest they've ever been, and you can just feel the eyes of your teacher. One of three possible scenarios comes out of this, and you wait to find out your fate:

One:

They see that you were incredible, and they give you the appropriate acknowledgment of your superb ability in the form of a slight head nod, "Better," "Good" or "Yes."

Two:

You giving it your all has attracted their attention, and they call you over to give you a correction. They prove their interest in you and let you know that they want to help you improve. They impart their wisdom to you (This outcome is arguably better than the first).

Three:

The worst and seemingly the most common outcome -- nothing. Nothing happens at all, no communication. Perhaps they weren't actually looking at you in the first place and rather at some other dancer just next to you. Have they truly nothing to say?

Outcome number three is when the panic, doubt, insecurity and all around bad mojo settles into a dancer's mind. I can't speak as to if this experience is universal to all or heightened to dancers because I've grown up all my life as a dancer (and I do believe that doing anything long enough will leave lasting impressions on your brain).This hanging on to every reaction of a teacher to the point that it infringes on your mental state causes you to become depressed and think you are no good as a dancer just because of one class when the teacher decides to correct someone else? This is not good.

I'm not saying that just because I'm aware of it I'll never let this get me down again because I'm not here to lie to you, dear readers. Dancers are naturally ambitious and want to get as much out of every class as they can, and that is their drive that helps them improve. So, what should we do?

We, fellow dancers, should support each other. We do this already because, in our studios, companies and schools, we are awesome, tight-knit communities! Do you ever find yourself watching another dancer in class or rehearsal and think, "Yes, you go, girl! That was awesome the way you just did that thing"? Then, you never tell them. Go tell them! Spread positivity because you never know if they might be thinking negatively about their dancing and could use a lift, or maybe they are feeling like they haven't gotten a lot of feedback lately.

We all get into slumps when we find ourselves stuck in our own heads. I can think of several times over the past couple months when a fellow dancer gave me a small compliment or words of encouragement which made my day. So, if you see something wonderful in someone else, tell them.

I've found dancers are horrible at taking care of themselves but pretty good at taking care of each other. Let's do that for each other mentally, as well as physically.