1. CATCH UP ON YOUR SLEEP!  Many performers spin out into the summer months and collapse. It is easy to ignore sleep as unimportant. DON'T. The whole mind-body restores during sleep, i.e., muscle tears and injuries heal, hormones balance, memory improves, moods stabilize ... The benefits of sleep are long. When performers improve their sleep and perform rested, they are shocked at the level of consistent energy, retention and stability.

If you want to condition yourself during the night when you are asleep ... try this program - STEPPING to SLEEP (recommended by Dance Magazine, June 2008). It is worth its value in gold. You also receive free CD that details how sleep influences your class time.

2. REVIEW YOUR DANCING. Dancers mind's are always turned on reviewing choreograhy. They do this ALL THE TIME, yet may not realize the benefit. It is called a Mental Rehearsal!  Here is the best way to perform them: Do NOT think about the dance, watch it like a movie on a screen in front of you. So while you are at the beach sipping a Pineapple Cooler, flip the mental switch and watch a performance from last year. You can also make improvements in your turns, reaction times, speed, foot work ...

3. CHANGE AN ATTITUDE!  Exhaustion can breed negativity. Sit down with yourself and list how you can improve your attitude, namely YOUR MIND. As Janie says (DanceMind Blog), her directed mind power has made a huge difference in her performance success.

You HAVE TO BE HONEST with yourself. If you make excuses, bi-otch a lot, scream in your head, you are wasting your energy and tearing down your body. How can you change them into a positive (It has to be something that is true and you believe)?

4. GO PLAY. Do fun things with family and friends. This is a great de-stresser. Yoga. Rafting. Walk. Kick Boxing. Read a book. Cook. Bake. Take a liesure class. Learn how to meditate.

5. PRIVATE MENTAL EMPOWERMENT. You can learn techniues to clear the mind to strengthen the body. Learn EFT, self-hypnosis or guided imagery. You will work more efficiently. You are welcome to call or email me with your questions. Depression and anxiety do not allow you to dance to your highest potential. Take care of your emotional side. Remember - Butterflies are good!

6. SET YOUR SIGHTS HIGHER. Why do you dance? Decide what you want out of your dance experience. You can journal about it for several days. That will help you a lot. Get clear and take action.  Reach!  If you do not clear your path and speak your intentions someone else will step in front of you. Breathe power into your words - "I want to dance professionally."

With these recommendations, you can discover that returning to the studio in the Fall will be a breeze. Get mental and - Stay Summer Strong.