The lights fade to black, and at this moment I not only want to crawl out of my skin, but I want to crawl out of the theatre. My recital piece was a hot freaking mess, and not just a hot freaking mess, but an embarrassing hot freaking mess.
You see, I knew this piece wasn't going to be good, but instead of solving the problem I lived in excuse land - “My students don’t show up consistently”, “My classes are mixed in level”, or even better, “My students don’t go home and practice”. Sound familiar? I get it, but the truth is, as a dance teacher it is our responsibility to ensure our students look successful on stage, and as a studio owner it is our job to ensure each piece that hits the stage meets our standards and your values.
In my last post, we explored 4 things that get in the way of a dancer’s healthy mindset. These included perfectionism, stress, fear, and negative self-talk. Today, let’s dive deeper into negative self-talk, often referred to as the inner critic, and tools to quiet it.
In an article exploring negative self-talk, PsychAlive says, “The critical inner voice is an internal enemy that can affect every aspect of our lives, including our self-esteem and confidence, our personal and intimate relationships, and our performance and accomplishments at school and work.
There is such beauty in the tangible results of hard work. A clear indicator in a very unclear industry that what you are doing is doing something and a means of holding whatever that tangible result is/was as precious and inherently valuable is something that feels a little lost to me.
Our current state of instant gratification in many facets of our lives is such an interesting juxtaposition to what happens most often in dance. In our craft, in order to be ‘good’, one must train… years and years of training to simply be ‘good’, not even ‘great’.
This month we take a brief look at the risks of overtraining and burnout and some simple steps we as teachers and dancers can take to make sure we are optimizing recovery.
Daily Dancer Takeaway: Allow yourself time off—especially around the holidays—to rest and recharge without guilt, knowing it will benefit you in the long run to combat the risk of overtraining and burnout.
I am standing in front of my students and I am drawing a complete blank. I feel anxious, overwhelmed, and outright stumped. My heart is beating as I feel the pressure of what to do next. I silently pray to the universe hoping it will deliver me some kind of amazingness.
Everything in me wanted to resist the idea of planning my dance classes, but something had to change. I wasn’t happy, I wasn’t giving my students my best, and in turn, I wasn’t helping my students reach their fullest potential.
Whether you’re dancing for 1 class a week or 10, it’s important to consider the kind of floor you’re dancing on. Dancing on a sprung floor reduces the risk of injury and can even prevent lifelong injuries. Unfortunately, we have seen studios who train pre-professional dancers that have just thin rubber over concrete as a floor, tile, laminate flooring, and non-sprung wood flooring. What do these all have in common?
They are bad for your body!
The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing
The Alpha Shock is a snug toe fit and the Infinite Shock has a freedom fit toe
If a dancer has a very wide foot and is on the top end of the size range listed, you may choose to go up a size in the Alpha Shock
For example, if they are a size 7.5 with a very wide foot or you typically range between a 7.5-8.0 instead of a 7.0-7.5, you may be more comfortable in a size Large Alpha Shock instead of the size Medium. Your sizing in the Infinite Shock should not be affected with a wider foot
You are at the low end of a size range and are younger than 11 years of age, are very petite boned for your age, and/or have a narrower foot than average for your size
For example, an 11-year--old who wears a size 5.5-6 shoe would choose a size Small Infinite instead of a Medium (based on the size chart)
A 16-year-old who typically ranges between sizes 6.0-6.5 street shoes and has average leg and foot size would choose the recommended size Medium.
A 16-year-old that ranges 5.5-6.0 with a narrower foot will likely be more comfortable in a size Small
The Infinite has the MOST freedom in the toes of all Shock styles…so with the above rules also consider if you prefer a snug fit in the toes (go with the smaller size you are borderline for) or want some wiggle room (go to the larger size you are border line for)
The Performance Shock/AMP Shock fits like the Infinite but the size chart IS slightly different so please take note! The top of each size range is borderline, use the same rules of the Infinite to size.
Every dancer has a preference…some will love the lower profile of the Performance, some may miss the snug hug of the Infinite up the calf. Remember the purpose of the Performance is to create the perfect line on stage while providing Apolla support and the Infinite is to give maximum support and protection for long days and rehearsals.
The Performance Shock has the same arch and ankle support and differs in:
Lower profile & softer opening: the top of the Shock should hit below the bottom of the calf and goes on easier. The Infinite hits mid-calf
Sleeker and fitted in the toes than the Infinite to accentuate the feet and create a more seamless look onstage. But still has freedom.
The Joule Shock:
If you are border line and have a very short arch (the length of your overall shoe size is primarily made up of the ball of your foot and toes) or you are very narrow feet/petite boned, go down a size.
If the Joule loses it shape, wash it with normal care instructions and it should regain its shape nicely.
Please watch our quick How To Wear (www.apollaperformance.com/pages/how-to-wear) tutorial videos to see how to put them on.
The K-Warmer Shock:
Measurements are given as a range that it may fit. Most likely starting about an average 13/14 yr. old female on thru an adult petite/average male dancer. However, it may vary based on ersonal preference.
Please watch our quick How To Wear tutorial videos to see how to put them on.
Before placing anorder please feel free to emailinfo@apollaperformance or click our live chatwith any questionsif your feetmay be an exception to the sizing chart or are on the border line of sizes.
The Alpha: Level 1 
The Performance: Level 2 
The Infinite: Level 3
Apolla Shocks Support Scale:
Each of our Shocks come with our revolutionary support, what we call our 3 A’s.
Each has their own unique performance features that help to protect and support you for the many different preferences of dancers along with the different needs of style, class, performance and traction.
You will feel the benefits of all our Apolla Shocks. However, we recommend you knowing the different levels of support and features to decide what is best for you and your dancer’s individual needs. It is our mission to continue to innovate and deliver a Shock for every dancer’s needs, so you will always have what you need in your dance bag. They truly are the last and only dance sock or footwear you will ever want or need!
XThe feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
The feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
Before placing a group order please feel free to email with any questions on any of your dancers that may be an exception to the sizing chart or are on the border line of sizes.
Apolla Shocks Support Scale:
Each of our Shocks come with our revolutionary support, what we call our 3 A’s.
Each has their own unique performance features that help to protect and support you for the many different preferences of dancers along with the different needs of style, class, performance and traction.
You will feel the benefits of all our Apolla Shocks. However, we recommend you knowing the different levels of support and features to decide what is best for you and your dancer’s individual needs. It is our mission to continue to innovate and deliver a Shock for every dancer’s needs, so you will always have what you need in your dance bag. They truly are the last and only dance sock or footwear you will ever want or need!
XThe feet are fickle (and so are your preferences). Each person will fit their Shocks differently…so below the charts are size GUIDES…SEE BELOW FOR SIZING TIPS to help get you in your best fit!
Tips for Sizing:
