No Pole Program: Day 29

Today you'll be working on strengthening the shoulders and I'll have you watch a floor work routine we'll be trying tomorrow! Learn more about why you should watch tomorrow's routine today by reading below.

Pro tip: Watching a routine the day before you give it a go will help your brain feel more prepared because there won't be any surprises.

Below are some more tips to help you learn a dance routine

Before you work on the routine:

• Familiarize yourself with the music: Understand the rhythm and find contextual clues in the music that can serve as cues for certain movements.
• Watch: Watch the choreographer or a video of the routine to get a clear idea of the steps.
• Take notes: Jot down the steps, corrections, and personal cues in a notebook to review later.

During the practice session:

• Break up the routine into multiple sections: Instead of learning the entire dance at once, break it into smaller, manageable sections.
• Repeat and repeat: Practice each section multiple times until you build muscle memory. Drill it, or even practice the motions in slow-motion or "marked" with partial movements.
• Connect the sections: Once you've mastered a section, practice connecting it to the next one by focusing on the transition.
• Practice consistently: A little practice every other day is more effective than cramming it all in at once.
• Practice with the music: After you have the basic movements down, start practicing with the music to get the timing and rhythm correct.
• Slow it down: Practice the routine at a slower tempo until you are comfortable, then gradually increase the speed to the normal pace. You can slow down or speed up the videos here by clicking on the little setting gear icon at the bottom of the video player.

Reinforce your mind:

• Visualize: Mentally run through the routine when you are not dancing.
• Film yourself: Record yourself dancing and watch it back to spot mistakes and see what needs work.
• Use cues: Create your own personal cues, such as snapping your fingers or saying a word, to help you remember the next step.
• Say it aloud: As you practice, say the names of the steps or count the beats out loud to reinforce the connection between the verbal command and the physical movement.
• Turn off your eyes: Once you've learned a sequence, try practicing it without looking at the teacher or a video to rely on your internal cues.
• Review before bed: Reviewing the steps right before sleep can help improve retention.