Although dancing has many benefits, it’s not all fun and games. Practicing and perfecting moves can take its toll on the human body. In addition, dancers are expected to look perfect and expect to be judged and criticized. So before deciding to attend dance school, it’s best to weigh the advantages and disadvantages and see if dance school is the right choice for you.

One of the hardest things about dance school is the amount of time required to practice. It’s not uncommon for dancers to start practicing for a few hours a day several days a week. As they progress, they can expect to practice several hours a day for 5-6 days a week. Professional dancers can expect to practice up to eight hours a day, especially around performance times. This is a lot of time spent dancing, so a deep commitment and passion for dance is crucial. It’s often hard to find time to spend on any other hobbies or friends and family.

Another disadvantage of dance school is the risk of injury. Injuries can occur with any type of physical activity. Due to the amount of time dancers spend rehearsing, the risk of injury is great, especially for new dancers. It is especially important to warm up the muscles properly and not rush into intense exercise too quickly. Some of the most common dance injuries include muscle spasms, strains, shin splints, stress fractures, and plantar fasciitis.

Another negative aspect of dance school is the pressure to be thin. Dance, especially ballet, requires a small and thin body type. Even a few pounds of extra weight can affect a dancer’s physical appearance and change the way her body balances. Weight management is constant. Dancers always have to worry about what they can and cannot eat. This type of pressure often leads to eating disorders. Each dancer wants to be smallest one in the class, and this competition creates an atmosphere that fosters eating disorders. In fact, it is estimated that nearly all professional dancers have experienced a type of eating disorder in their professional careers. Unfortunately, these eating disorders can seriously affect the body, causing heart attacks or even death. Although the pressure to have a thin body is still prevalent, it’s more important to have a healthy relationship with food.

Another disadvantage of being a dance-school student is the reality of stage fright, which is especially common in novice dancers who have not had much experience dancing in front of others. Stage fright is every dancer’s worst nightmare. They see the crowd watching them intently and they freeze, forgetting their next move. One dancer forgetting his moves can throw off the entire group of dancers and cause confusion. However, many dance schools understand this and make sure their students have experience dancing in front of small audiences before the main event. Being prepared and able to perform dance routines without relying on watching the moves of the other dancers is also important. A dancer needs to have the self-confidence to be able to perform the moves on her own. It’s also helpful not to worry about what could happen during the performance. As long as the dancer does his best, that’s all that should matter.