Stay in Motion this Summer!

Now, we are ALL for a fun-filled summer of dancing and we always want to encourage our dancers to stay active and healthy. But have you ever considered adding in a bit of cross-training to your child’s activities? 

Cross-training is a way to vary training by combining different types of exercise and improving overall performance. Cross-training can help prevent athletes from getting an injury due to repetitive strain or overuse. Overuse injuries can be common for dancers which is why it’s important for dancers to include other exercises or activities in their training to strengthen other muscles and prevent injury. Cross-training also opens up dancers to new experiences and maybe discover an additional sport or activity they love! 

Here at Positions, we will be offering our own kids’ fitness class this summer! Kids Yoga will be taking place on Mondays at 4:45pm! If you’d like to sign up your dancer for this class, view our summer classes HERE!  

Kids Yoga on Mondays will be offered to children ages 3+ and taught by Miss Danielle! Classes will be fun and interactive with yoga poses, breathing exercises, games, and more! 

This class would be a wonderful way for our dancers to supplement their dance training and try something NEW! By clicking HERE, you can get your child registered for our fitness classes and summer technique classes! 

We are so excited about summer! 

What To Pack In Your Recital Dance Bag

What to Pack in Your Dance Bag!

As the recital nears, we are starting to put all the pieces together. We are excited to announce, that it’s going to be a spectacular show! Our students are working hard in the studio to make sure their dances look flawless.

Parents, we know you are doing your part in making sure you know the schedules and have everything you need for your student to shine on stage! We can’t say thank you enough for all you do to support your dancer and know it’s a lot to keep track of. To make your job a little easier, we thought we would give you a list of everything you need in your child’s dance bag to have a successful show day. 

Read through the list below and pack your child’s bag before the big day. You will be able to check a few things off your list so you can enjoy the moment with your child!

1. All costumes labeled with your child’s name

It’s SO important to label your costumes. The last thing you want is to be missing an accessory or shoe when it’s time to dance on stage! Backstage there are a lot of dancers and dance bags. Your child’s things could get mixed up easily so it’s best to be safe and mark your child’s initials into all your costume items, shoes, and accessories. Please make sure to mark costumes and shoes on the inside so we don’t see them on stage. 

2. Dance shoes

This seems obvious but it’s worth saying, there is nothing worse than missing a shoe on recital day! Make sure to have your dancer try on their shoes before the big day to catch any holes or uncomfortable (and too tight) shoes. Need new shoes? Come over to our dance store in the studio lobby area where you can find everything you need! 

3. Extra tights

We all know that tights can rip easily! Throw in an extra pair of tights for your dancer along with the ones they will wear on stage. That extra pair could save the day for your dancer! 

4. Costume accessories 

Do any of your child’s costumes come with headpieces, layers, or other accessories? These items are just as important as your main costume to have in your dance bag! If you need to check our costume book for recital, you can click HERE. 

5. Hair supplies  

 Packing a small kit of hair supplies for your dancer is a great idea. Although they should have their hair ready when they arrive, hair emergencies happen! Pack a brush, bobby pins, hair ties, and some extra hair spray just in case. 

6. Clean (& nut-free) snacks

Throughout dress rehearsal and recital, dancers may get hungry and need a snack to keep themselves energized to perform! No one wants to get on stage hungry! Remember, since dancers will be in costume, we recommend packing clean and nut-free snacks. Choosing a nut-free snack is a way to keep other dancers, who may have allergies to certain foods, safe. 

7. Water

This may be one of the most important ways to stay energized and hydrated during recital! We encourage dancers to bring reusable water bottles with them.  Make sure to label your water bottles or bring a case to share with others! 

8. An activity for backstage 

If your dancer has any downtime during the show, have them pack an activity such as a coloring book, tablet, book, or game with them! This allows backstage to be a little calmer throughout the show and dancers to stay occupied while waiting for their next dance or bows! 

And there you have it! Please know that our staff will also have first aid supplies and a few more emergency supplies backstage for dancers. We are so excited for recital and want to make sure everyone feels prepared and thrilled to dance on stage! 

Dive Into Dance at our Summer Ballet Intensive

There’s something magical about the warm summer months. For most of us, summer gives us the urge to have some fun in the sun and take a dive in the pool. But for us dancers, we can’t help but want to dive into dance too! 

Dancers across the world use the summertime to dive deeper into their craft by attending intensives with professional companies, universities, or performing arts camps. Intensives give kids the chance to hone in on their dance skills and make huge strides without added school year pressures.

Here at Positions, we’re super excited to provide a Ballet Intensive experience as part of our Summer Dance Schedule! While it’s not quite as immersive as a traditional intensive, it will give students their summer dance fix without having to travel or stay away from home all summer. And the best part?! Your dancer can stay in their comfort zone right at their home studio, here at Positions! 

Learn more about our Ballet Intensive this Summer!

When is it?

Included in our 6-Week Summer Session, the Ballet Intensive will meet weekly from July 11th - August 19th. Taught by Miss Carly, it will run similarly to a regular class, but with a more focused and serious atmosphere! Class days and times vary depending on age group, so read below to find your child’s designated slot.

Ages 6-8: Mondays 4:15-5:30pm
Ages 9-11: Mondays 5:45-7:00pm
Ages 12+: Thursdays 5:00-6:15pm

What will the dancers learn?

Intensive students will learn ballet foundations and technique through barre, center, and across the floor exercises. In addition, the Intensive will have a fun new focus on Variations. Variations are small portions of iconic choreography from famous ballets, dating years back in history! This summer, we’ll be diving into Variations from Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, La Esmeralda, and Swan Lake. Dancers will focus on applying technique and ballet terminology to these historic performance pieces!

Why is Ballet beneficial for dancers?

Ballet is a foundational dance form for several other dance styles! It helps with body placement in acrobatics, jazz, and lyrical. In addition, it fine tunes a dancer’s strength and articulation, which can be applied in most activities, whether it be another dance style, sport, or art form! 

Who is the Ballet Intensive perfect for? 

If your child loves ballet and feeling graceful, they’ll be right at home in the Ballet Intensive this summer! It’s perfect for dancers who are looking to work on both technical skills AND performance skills. And if your child is obsessed with the magical storylines of classical ballets, register now because they’re sure to be totally starstruck by our Variations!

We are SO ready to have a blast this summer and dive into dance with you all! Our Ballet Intensive is sure to bring your child a fun way to stay active, while also working on their growing skill sets! 
Are YOU ready to dive into our Ballet Intensive? Space is limited, so click here to register and save your child’s spot today! We’ll see you on the dance floor this summer!

Goal Setting for MOVERS!

One of our values at Positions Dance Studio is teaching our students how to be proactive about their training. This means that instead of always depending on their teachers for feedback and inspiration, they learn to look inside! This applies to BOTH our children’s dance classes and our adult dance and fitness classes. 

One of our favorite strategies for encouraging this skill is goal setting. Most dancers and fitness enthusiasts are naturally driven. It takes a lot of dedication to come to class week after week! Goal setting is one of the best ways to start taking more ownership of your training AND make sure you are being intentional week after week. 

The new year is an amazing time to set goals. Here at Positions Dance Studio, we can’t help to feel a little extra wave of motivation in January.  If you find yourself feeling the same way, we want to encourage you to take advantage of the inspiration! 

There are four simple steps to getting started with goal setting. This is an ideal framework to follow If you are new to goal setting OR if you are helping your child to get started. Lets’ dive in!

Step 1: Reflect

The first step is to take some time to reflect. You can’t figure out where you’re going without knowing where you’ve been! Think about a few moments when you felt really proud. What about a few moments that felt really hard? Did you check off any milestones this past year? 

Even a younger dancer will be able to answer these questions. Grab a notebook and take 30 min. to journal or draw! 

Most of us have a natural tendency to always focus on what’s next… don’t forget to celebrate how far you’ve come! 

Step 2: Make a SMART Goal 

Now that you’ve thought about the past year, we’re ready to start looking forward! We recommend using the acronym SMART to make sure your goals are clear and realistic.

SMART goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time bound.

For our dance students, an example of a SMART goal is getting both their right and left splits by the end of the summer. 

An example for our adult fitness students is working towards 10 push-ups on your toes by June 1. 

We recommend keeping things simple. Set 1-3 SMART goals and work with a shorter time frame. Kids (and adults too!) can lose momentum if goal setting feels overwhelming. We want our goals to feel like a stretch… but also feel achievable!

Step 3: Write it Down

A study done by Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University in California found that people are 42% more likely to reach their goals just by writing them down every day. That’s pretty compelling! If you already have a daily journaling habit or keep a notebook for school or work, can you add 5 min. to your routine?

An alternative is to write down your goals and post them somewhere where you will see it and read it each and every day. Bathroom mirror, locker, a post-it note on your computer… it doesn’t have to be fancy! 

Step 4: Ask for help! 

You don’t have to reach your goals by yourself! The last step in goal setting is thinking about who can help you. Spoiler alert… at Positions you have a whole team of teachers ready to help! 

It can feel a little scary, but sharing your goals makes it even more likely you will reach your target. Our team is happy to share ideas, provide accountability, and support you every step of the way. 

Be brave and put your goals into the world!

Are you feeling inspired? Ready to reach for the stars in 2022? Goal setting should feel FUN. Taking a little time to think about what you want to accomplish is an amazing habit that you can apply to any area of your life. 

Whether you hope to nail your double turn, commit to a weekly class, or dream of getting your first pair of pointe shoes… you get to decide what’s important to you! 

Our team at Positions Dance Studio is here to help you every step of the way!  

Summer Dance is Your CHANCE!

Summer is wonderful for SO many reasons. For us adults, it means some much-needed Vitamin D. For kids, it's a well-earned, long-awaited break from long days at school. Most of us can probably remember that school’s-out feeling. The freetime that awaited was FILLED with possibilities! 

So what is your child hoping to get the chance to do this summer? Maybe they are dusting off those roller blades. Are they beaming up for family vacation? How about finally getting the chance to try out a new hobby or focus on their favorites? We’d love to hear what summer has in store for your family!

Right now is the perfect time to take advantage of our Summer Dance Classes! This summer, we’re offering a 6-week session of classes for all ages. Our fun-filled classes are a golden opportunity for an unforgettable summer. Check out these 4 reasons why Summer Dance is Your CHANCE! 

1. A Low-Commitment Way To Try Something New

Whether it be trying out your child’s very first dance class or simply testing out a new dance style, summer is the perfect time to branch out. With just 6-weeks of classes, you won’t be tied down if you don’t absolutely love it! Summer classes offer an opportunity to test out activities that your child might be interested in for the upcoming school year.

2. Packed With Technique

With only 6-weeks to move and groove, our summer classes are packed with technique. Our students rely on these technical foundations all year round!

3. Built-In Fun with Friends!

During the summer our kids are constantly looking forward to fun outings and special events with friends. When you sign them up for dance class, it’s a weekly guarantee that they can dance it out with their best buddies. 

4. Heightened Focus

We say it every year, and it always rings true! Our Summer Dance students always come to class with more energy, heightened focus, and an eagerness to learn. Without the added stress and fatigue from school, it’s a golden opportunity to improve on those skills!

Don’t miss your CHANCE! Sign up for Summer Dance today! Positions Dance Studio is proud to offer a full summer line-up of enriching programs for your children. Check out our list of classes here! 

It’s going to be a GREAT summer at the studio! We can’t wait to welcome you! 

4 Signs That Your Child is READY To Hit the Recital Stage!

Did you hear?! A celebration is in order! This year, our Positions Dance Studio recital theme is Celebrate Good Times. If you’ve recently visited the recital page on our website, you’ve probably marked your calendars for the big day on July 3rd! We thank you for your patience as we continue to confirm all the details.

Have you ever met a child that is a natural-born entertainer?! You know, the ones that take every opportunity to get all eyes on them! Many of our students are similar, and it’s rewarding to see them find their home on stage. What’s even MORE rewarding is seeing our shy students move out of their comfort zones and into the spotlight!

So how do you know if your child is ready for their big moment on stage? Throughout the end of the school year, you’ll notice the excitement start to build! It’s the most adorable thing and we absolutely LOVE sharing the hype with our students! 

4 Signs That Your Child Is Ready to Hit the Recital Stage:

1. They CAN’T Stop Peeking at Their Costume

Over the past couple of months, we’ve been sending our dazzling recital costumes home with students. Check out some of our beautiful costumes on our Facebook Page! 

Costume day can be pretty magical for our students, but what’s even MORE magical is the day they finally get to dress up and head on stage. We tell our students not to wear their costumes around the house to keep them looking fresh. But if you catch your little one peeking and begging to put it on, they are just itching to perform! 

P.S. Click here to check out some more costume care tips in our last blog post!

2. They Love Practicing Their Routine At Home

Are you seeing your child’s stellar moves every time you turn around?! For our older dancers, are their tik tok favorites being replaced by their recital moves? It’s official, they’ve fallen in love with their recital dance! 

Need the zoom links to follow along with their recital video? Email us! 

3. They Ask to Listen to Their Recital Song Over and OVER

Have you downloaded your child’s recital song on your devices? If your child can’t get enough and knows ALL the words, that’s when you know that they can’t wait to perform their routine. Pro tip: grab them a pair of headphones so the sound of their music doesn’t make you crazy before recital! 

4. They Can Perform Their Entire Routine For You With No Help!

The tell-tale sign of a performer who is stage-ready is being able to get through their whole routine without the help from teachers, videos, or classmates. That’s when you can be sure that they really know their routine. 

We strongly encourage all of our dancers to do mock performances at home. It’s one of the BEST ways to combat stage fright and engrain those dance moves into their muscle memory. Make it fun by creating pretend tickets, entering your living room theatre, and turning those stage lights on and off with the music! 

So… is YOUR dancer ready to hit the stage?! If you checked off any of those tell-tale signs, Recital 2021 will be a total hit in your house! We can’t wait!

If you’re loving these at-home recital prep tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook! Over the next couple of months, we’ll be busy posting our Recital Tip Series that is dedicated to helping parents out during recital week! 

We are SO excited to celebrate our students on the dance floor at Recital 2021! Continue checking our website for updates, as we’ll be updating our recital page with important details in the coming months. Happy at-home practicing!

Get S.M.A.R.T About Your New Year's Dance Resolutions

January is the PERFECT time to work on setting goals. Coming out of 2020 madness makes our New Year’s Resolutions all the more important this year! We know our students have big dreams, and we LOVE encouraging them to reach for the stars each week in our dance classes. That’s why today’s blog is all about getting S.M.A.R.T about New Year’s Resolutions!

Have you heard of S.M.A.R.T goals? If not, check out this awesome article! George T. Doran coined this acronym in 1981 and it has since been widely accepted as the most effective way to set goals that actually get accomplished. 

Today, we’re taking you through the S.M.A.R.T acronym with a very common dance goal that we hear from our students ALL the time: improving flexibility. Flexibility is one of those skills that requires personal dedication and consistent work at home, rather than just in the studio. So we can’t wait to get clear on how to make it happen!

S is for Specific

The more detailed you can get, the better! Break your goal down into smaller pieces and choose one or two things to really hone in on this next year. This will help you stay focused on the vision!

Flexibility for Dancers

There are many different ways to improve flexibility, so it’s important to hand-pick one or two specific stretches that you’d like to make strides with. We always recommend working on splits because they are helpful for a wide array of dance moves. But if you have a specific dance move you’d like to improve on, ask your instructor for stretches that will lengthen the exact muscles you need for it!

M is for Measurable

Making sure your goal is measurable comes into play when you are tracking your progress. Goals take time to accomplish. Detailed tracking can help make small victories feel like big ones. 

Flexibility for Dancers

When stretching, the best way to quantify your progress is to use a measuring tape to measure your body’s distance within the stretch. For example, in a split, you can measure the distance between your pelvis and the floor. In a pike stretch, you can measure the distance between your head and your knees. Keep a log of your measurements to help track your progress!

A is for Achievable

This one is all about making sure that your goal is realistic by taking into account where you’re at now vs. where you want to be by the end of 2021. Make sure you can really make your goal happen!

Flexibility for Dancers

Everyone’s body is different, so it’s important to focus on the progress rather than the product when it comes to flexibility. Keep your goal centered around how many centimeters or inches you’d like to move, rather than a flat split. That way, you’ll make sure that it’s personalized and achievable for your own body. 

R is for Relevant

Making sure that your specific goal is directly related to a bigger picture goal is important. This will keep your motivation and focus on point when things get difficult. 

Flexibility for Dancers

It’s important to be aware of what achieving greater flexibility can do for you as a dancer. Maybe you’ll be able to hold your leg for 10 seconds on stage. Or maybe you will finally nail that toe touch you’ve been dreaming of. In addition, no matter what the stretch or dance move is that you’re working on, being more flexible will reduce the chance of injury. Win, win, WIN!

T is for Timely

Creating a timeline with checkpoints, reminders, and even deadlines will help you really take action. Make a plan and stick with it!

Flexibility for Dancers

For flexibility, stretching at home needs to become a consistent habit in order to see results. We encourage sticker charts or accountability checklists for our younger dancers who are working on forming the habit. Set a goal of stretching for 10 mins per day after dinner. Add a sticker to the chart when you make it happen! Measure your progress at the end of each week and watch yourself soar! 

While this list is centered around flexibility for dancers, these S.M.A.R.T concepts can be applied to ANY New Year’s Resolution, dance-related or not! We encourage our students and families to use the acronym for their own personal goals. We know you’ll thank us later!

Here at Positions Dance Studio, we are our students’ biggest cheerleaders. We love setting goals with them, helping them progress, and keeping them accountable from week to week. If your child could use that extra support, we’d love to welcome them in one of our weekly dance classes! Check out the schedule HERE and register today! 

Happy New Year, Positions Families! 2021 is going to be another fabulous year of reaching our dance goals with our favorite students.

6 Ways to Celebrate The Holiday Season With Dance

The holidays create such a special spirit among our young dancers and each year we LOVE being a part of their joy. While it’s a tough year for all of us, we are determined to make the most of it and create some holiday magic for our kiddos!

That’s why we’re dedicating this month’s blog post to celebrating the holiday season with DANCE! Dancers create special memories around the holidays. Between hanging a ballerina ornament, seeing the nutcracker, or doing a rockette-inspired kickline at the family party, we all have our own traditions! 

Looking for some extra holiday magic for your dancer this year? Ready to bring dance into your family’s holiday traditions? Check out these 6 Ways to Celebrate the Holiday Season with DANCE!

1. Shop ‘till you drop at our Dancewear Store!

It wouldn’t be the holidays if there weren’t special gifts waiting to be opened! Good thing we’ve got everything your dancer wants and needs right here at our Dance Store. We carry dance class staples, Positions logowear, small stocking stuffers and more! Check it out and hurry to our store today!  

2. Watch our Positions Dancers in their virtual performance of the Nutcracker. 

The Nutcracker is a part of every young dancer’s holiday wonderland! We share this classic tradition every year with our students. This year, our performance went virtual, live on our Positions facebook page. You can watch a playback of the performance HERE and be sure to like us on facebook to see more of our lovely dancers! 

3. Grab a kid’s ballet book for bedtime or join us for a virtual reading!

Storytime can be SO magical for kids! We recently did a virtual reading of Misty Copeland’s new picture book, Bunheads on our Facebook page. It’s our newest book that we carry in our store, so if you LOVE the story as much as we do, grab it as a gift.

Join us on Tuesday, December 22nd for a virtual reading of The Nutcracker! Just days away from Christmas eve, we can’t wait to share the excitement with our dancers!

4. Take advantage of our December Gift Card Special and give the gift of dance this year!

Have you heard about our awesome promotion?! From now through 12/24 when you purchase a gift card valued at $50.00 or more, you get an additional $15.00 gift card for you to keep OR gift! Positions gift cards can be used on class tuition OR in our store. Gifting a child with a new dance class can be the perfect gift for little ones who just can’t get enough dance!

5. Host a virtual watch party of a dance movie on Netflix.

There are dance movies GALORE on all the streaming services nowadays. One of our favorite holiday dance classics is White Christmas which is available on Netflix! This year, we are SO excited to watch Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker, a documentary of Debbie Allen’s groundbreaking production! Debbie Allen is a dance legend.

Did you know you can host a virtual watch party on Netflix? Check out this informational page. Viewers can chat virtually while watching at the same time. This would be great for family and dance friends to watch together, but from afar this year! 

6. Get crafty with some holiday ballerina decorations!

For those of us that enjoy a craft day with the kiddos, dancers love using their creative side! Check out these adorable ballerina crafts with snowflake tutus.

We hope this list helps you and your little dancers get into the holiday spirit! Pick one thing and roll with it… we promise it will create a treasured memory for your dancer.

From all of us here at Positions Dance Studio, Happy Holidays! We hope that amidst this difficult year, you can all find time to feel joyful with loved ones near and far. We are forever thankful for you, and we love seeing the holiday magic around our studio each year!

Perfect Price, Perfect Pair: November Dance Class Special!

Dance classes are like slices of pie on Thanksgiving, two is ALWAYS better than one! Yes, we know, we are a little biased! However, we aren’t the only ones who feel this way. Check out this AWESOME article that explains why knowing multiple dance forms makes you a better dancer overall! 

This November, we are running an extra special promotion here at Positions Dance Studio! Add a class before the end of the month and receive 50% off your first month’s tuition of the additional class! This is a great opportunity for your child to try something new or finally enroll in that class they’ve been waiting for!

So today on the blog, we are outlining which dance styles go GREAT together and why! The following class combos will help your child excel in their favorite style and compliment their training PERFECTLY!

4 Perfect Dance Class Pairings:

1. Ballet + Acro

While ballet and acro may SEEM like opposites at first glance, they rely on many of the same technical elements. Posture, body placement, control, and strength are at the forefront of both of these styles. These dance genres both require tight core muscles to keep your upper body held during difficult motions. Enrolling in one of these classes will undoubtedly improve the other! 

2. Hip Hop + Tap

Because Hip Hop and Tap are both American art forms that emerged within African American communities, they have similar qualities. Both rely heavily on rhythm and groundedness. Bent knees and a relaxed upper body are key to success in both dance forms. Most importantly, they both include a heavy emphasis on social connection. Taking both is a great way to become grounded and musically in-tune! 

3. Jazz + Leaps & Turns

Jazz and Leaps & Turns are directly related and a PERFECT combination for our jazz lovers! For many of our dancers, leaps and turns are their favorite part of jazz class, which is why we have a class that is totally dedicated to perfecting them! Ready to have the BEST leaps in your jazz routine at recital? Take Leaps & Turns and we will help you accomplish ALL your goals!

4. Hip Hop & Acro

Hip Hop and Acro is a common combination because many Hip Hop dancers mix style and flavor with the coolest stunts and tricks. Breakdancing, a form of Hip Hop, requires the same strength and agility that we practice in our Acro classes! Both forms are high energy and GREAT for the dancer who loves showing off their coolest moves. 

While taking one dance class is a GREAT way to start, we LOVE encouraging all of our dancers to branch out. Being versatile is so important for a dancer’s technique, but also for kids looking to get the FULL dance experience! Sometimes it takes two (classes) to tango around here… pun intended. 

Ready to take advantage of this super-sweet November Special?! Create the perfect class pair for your little ones by viewing our class schedule today! Be sure to hurry, this deal is only good until the end of the month! 

Happy Thanksgiving and remember, two slices of pie is ALWAYS better than one! 

4 Reasons Why Being in a Dance Class is SO Important Right Now

Being a parent during a pandemic is not exactly a walk in the park. When a child is hungry, you feed them. When a child is sick, you take them to the doctor. When a child experiences a pandemic, sees the world flipped upside down, and probably doesn’t completely understand why, you…? 

Well, if you’re feeling lost on how to support your kids right now, check out this great article from the Child Mind Institute that we stumbled upon a few days ago. It’s got some great tips! When we read it, we couldn’t help but realize that dance class just so happens to check off quite a few things on that list. 

Dance is amazingly beneficial for kids. We’ve known this for years, which is why we’ve chosen to dedicate our lives to it. But when we think about what kids NEED during a pandemic, dance class seems even more magical than ever before. We are SO excited to dance with your children this Fall, especially because we know they will need it more than ever before. 

4 Reasons Why Being in a Dance Class is SO Important Right Now:

1. Back to a Routine

Kids need structure in their lives, and with almost nothing normal these days, finding that structure is super difficult. That’s why a weekly dance class that remains consistent throughout the ENTIRE school year is so valuable right now. 

We guarantee that when you sign up for one of our Fall Dance Classes, your child will have something to look forward to every week. They will settle into a groove when they have that consistency in their lives. More importantly, when they have consistent activities and structure, they will be less likely to act out and need YOUR attention at home. 

2. Socialization

In the year of social distancing, all of us are feeling the negative emotional impacts of isolation and being apart from others. While we may not be able to help your kids feel physically closer with their friends, we certainly can help them feel connected once again. 

In dance class, the smiles are contagious. The community feel is automatic and comes about organically. When you’re in a room dancing together, you feel together, no matter how far apart. We can’t wait to help your kids bloom into the social butterflies that they were before quarantine!

3. Physical Activity

With many sports cancelled, and A LOT more use of technology over the past couple months, I think we could ALL use some move-your-body time. Here at Positions Dance Studio, that is what we do BEST! 

Send your kids to us this Fall for a full body workout and a feel-good endorphins boost. In class, we get our heart rates up while also utilizing muscle control and flexibility. Dancing really is the whole package. Not to mention our adult fitness classes! Come move with us this Fall! 

4. Supportive and Positive Adults 

We KNOW you’re already doing this at home. But parents are humans too, and it’s unrealistic to expect yourself to stay positive for you kids 100% of the time (especially during a pandemic). That’s where we come in. 

It’s our JOB to be there for your kids. Our goal is to bring our students unwavering and unconditional positivity. At dance, we’re here to build them up for their own sake, but also so YOU don’t have to be the only one doing so. We’re here for both you and your child, now more than ever. 

Are you ready to make all of this magic happen for your child this Fall?! We are too! We are now accepting enrollment for our 2020/2021 Dance Season. Click here to view the schedule and register today! 

Making this list got our warm and fuzzies going, simply because we LOVE what we do. It’s time for another great year of dance at Positions Dance Studio, and we can’t wait to bring your children all the things that they need MOST right now. 

How We Are Safely Returning to the Studio

Positions Families, the time has finally come! The moment we’ve ALL been waiting for: a return to in-studio classes at Positions! For months, our staff has been saying that we CAN’T wait to be back in the studio with our dancers. Now that we are preparing to do so, the excitement is building, but this big step is certainly not one we take lightly. 

During all the chaos these past couple of months, one thing has always stayed the same. Your safety is our number one priority. Our staff is busy transforming our facility and re-thinking our procedures to ensure that our students are safe when they walk in our doors. We are dedicated to you and our responsibility to the community. 

As we accept enrollment for our fall and summer classes, we have put together a new set of policies that we’d like all of our families to take note of. The studio experience may look a little different than years past, but we are confident that it will be a great one.  

How We are Safely Returning to the Studio: 

1. Limiting Class Sizes

To ensure that there is room in our studios for proper social distancing, our class’ capacity numbers will be smaller than usual. If classes fill and there are dancers interested in joining, we will open new classes to ensure that our families get the classes they need. 

With limited class sizes in mind, be sure to view our schedule and register before your preferred class time fills up! 

2. Now Requiring Pre-Registration for All Adult Classes

Adult classes are being offered in-person (outdoors) and on Zoom. Due to limited class sizes to allow for social distancing, we are utilizing a new software to ensure that our drop-in adult dance/fitness classes do not exceed capacity limits. We’ve made it easy for you! Just visit our website and click the registration link next to the class you’d like to attend. 

Those who previously purchase class cards will be able to reactivate them. Please contact the studio to unfreeze your account! Our Summer 2020 Adult Classes run from July 20th - August 28th. View the schedule today! 

3. Drop-Off Only Policy

For all students over the age of 5 years old, parents will not be allowed in the studio to watch class or relax in the lobby. You will have the option to remotely view class via the Zoom Links posted in the parent portal. Parents of preschool children may accompany them inside and occasionally check on class, but we ask that you rotate your time in the lobby. This change was made in order to reduce the amount of people in our space at any given time. 

4. Hand sanitizer and temperature checks at the door!

When arriving at our facility, your student will be greeted by a Positions staff member who will use a touchless thermometer to check the temperature of each dancer before. We’ve also added hand sanitizing stations at the entrance, which will be mandatory for all dancers to use. 

5. Now Requiring Masks to Enter

Students must wear a mask while entering or exiting the building. However, the mask is not required while dancing. Need a mask? We’ve designed special Positions Dance Studio masks for our dancers who are ready to enter in style! Stop by our dance store to get yours today!  

6. Now Requiring Props for Ages 5+

In order to keep our surfaces free from cross-contamination, all dancers ages 5+ are required to bring a yoga mat and hand towel to class. View our graphic below to double-check that your child has everything they need!

Positions Dance Studio is now offering special, branded back to dance packages! Take 20% off when you purchase all 3 items!

7. Socially Distant Dancing! 

We’ve prepped our studio from top to bottom - literally! Our dance floors are now equipped with floor stickers for our dancer’s feet, surrounded by individual, taped boxes. 6 feet apart, but dancing together! 

8. A Revamped Cleaning Schedule

Our staff will be sanitizing high traffic areas such as barres, doorknobs, and bathrooms between each class. Heavy-duty cleaning will be done at the end of the night to prepare for the next day of classes. 

As you can see, we’ve put great thought and detail into our back-to-studio planning. We’re committed to a safe return to the studio. The safety of our dancers, families, and staff is always number one on our list. Be well, and we can’t wait to see you at the studio!

Seeing the Silver Lining: Top 4 Takeaways of Online Dance Classes

Month number 2 of quarantine is almost complete and let’s be real… staying positive is not an easy task. If you let your mind start to wander too far, heading into worry-land happens pretty quickly. We get it and we’re here to offer support wherever we can. 

There is one positive thing that we all agree on at Positions: seeing your kids on zoom every week makes all of the madness disappear for a few hours. Not only do we love seeing their faces, but we’ve also been having tons of magical moments in class. While our online classes could never take the place of being in the studio, they are SO valuable during this time. 

Between our free and paid facebook groups, our LIVE classes on Zoom, and other fun initiatives on our public facebook page, we’ve completely dedicated ourselves to moving our programs online. As we witness our students learning in new ways and smiles flying left and right, we’ve been seeing the silver lining more and more. 

Check out the Top 4 Take-Aways of Online Dance Classes:

1. A Slice of Normalcy

Any sense of stability that your child was used to has probably shifted during this time. Schedules, schooling, social interaction, end of the year festivities… you name it, it’s probably been changed or non-existent. Which is why we LOVE providing our weekly classes. 

Your child sees their regular teacher just like normal. Your child can depend on the same class every week just like normal. Your child practices their recital dance just like normal. Your child reviews the same skills they were learning before quarantine just like normal. We hope this has lowered the levels of crazy at your house, even if it’s just for an hour each week! 

2. Staying Connected

One of the best feelings is when we unmute a child on zoom and they start exploding with stories and questions! We love watching as they finally let it all out. When we are all dancing together on the screen, everyone is reminded of the community we built at the studio earlier in the year. The kids feel like they belong again. We know they miss their friends and teachers, so we love giving them a chance to connect each week. 

3. Individual Attention

Besides dance class, when was the last time your child heard someone outside of their family say their name? It’s probably been a while. When we give our students corrections via zoom, we watch as their faces light up and they stand a little taller each time. It’s seriously magical!!

We recently read this article by the Institute for Family Studies that outlines 4 things that children need right now. Number one on their list is to feel heard. While our kids are muted, it may be difficult to accomplish this on Zoom. BUT, we do make them feel SEEN, which we would argue is EVEN better. It’s a good feeling to know that others are noticing you, seeing you, and investing in your success. 

4. A Creative Outlet

Even though your little ones might not understand the full capacity of the current situation, I think we all know they are feeling effects. When a child’s world gets turned upside down, it’s important to have a creative outlet. Just like our in-person classes, our virtual classes allow dancers to let go, forget about all the confusion, and dance it out! That has never been more important than right now! 

We hope this list gave you a glimpse into the warm and fuzzies that we feel during every Zoom class we teach. Their smiles are what remind us to stay positive during this time. 

While we know you might not get a “thank you” from your child after each Zoom class, trust us when we say that they are grateful. And from the bottom of OUR hearts, thank you. Thank you for your continued support during COVID-19. Thank you for supporting your child’s passions. Thank you for your flexibility and positivity. Our dance families are simply the best. 

COVID-19 Resources for Dance Families

Oof! Whatever you are stressed about right now…. just know, you are NOT alone. Between finances, health, and childcare, it’s just a lot. These are REAL issues, REAL concerns, and we are with you. We want to help. From our stuck-at-home family to yours, we are here to offer some positivity during this trying time. 

Even though it may seem harder than ever before, now is the MOST important time to make sure our students KEEP dancing. Why? Endorphins, of course! We can probably all agree that we need a few extra of those right now! 

Our Positions Staff has been hard at work this past month taking our dance classes TOTALLY virtual! If you haven’t yet hopped on zoom with us or joined our Facebook groups, don’t worry! We are still wrapping our heads around all this too! It’s not too late to join us. 

On top of what WE’VE put together for our current Positions families, we have been totally thrilled by the number of people and companies who have banded together to help. From live online classes to at-home workouts, we’ve compiled a list of amazing resources for our dance families! We also threw in some general resources for our parents who are suddenly expected to be teachers AND parents!

Check out these awesome resources for dancers and parents during COVID-19:

Exclusively for Positions Families:

• FREE Facebook Group for Current Positions Families - Contests, recital videos, and fun activities are posted weekly! Stay moving and connected in our Positions-only group!

• LIVE Classes on Zoom - Access your child’s Zoom Link via the Parent Portal. If you are new to zoom, this tutorial will help you get oriented. View the zoom class schedule on our website and we will see you on the virtual dance floor!

• Paid Adult Fitness Subscription Group - For $25, you can gain access to all of our at-home workout videos. At Positions, we don’t let quarantine stop us from reaching our health and fitness goals! Join us today! 

• Kids Yoga on Facebook Live - Are things a little crazy at home? We’ve got you! Join Miss Kelly for some relaxing Kid’s Yoga. Follow Positions Dance Studio on Facebook so you don’t miss a class! 

Dance Training:

Bored at home? Can’t get enough dance? On TOP of your Virtual Classes at Positions, we’ve found some extra classes that will help you stay moving! These classes won’t be taught by your Positions Faculty, and they won’t help you learn your recital dance, but they are great class supplements to take advantage of!

• Ballet Class with the Pros - A list of professional Ballet dancers that are offering virtual classes via Instagram/Facebook Live.

• CLI Studios - The industry’s leading online class outlet is graciously offering FREE classes during this time with your favorite choreographers. Visit the website for a complete schedule and get moving!

• DANCIO - Take class with the stars of dance from the comfort of your own home. They are offering a free 2-week trial.

• GAGA classes - Donation based Gaga classes through Zoom multiple times a day!

• STEEZY - Explore different urban dance styles like house, breaking, and popping. Free 7-day trial!

• Sugarfoot Therapy - Injury prevention workouts for dancers designed by a physical therapist.

Staying Active:

• BOKS - Free online fitness program for kids.

• CorePower Yoga On Demand - Parents this is for you! CorePower has released their online classes for free.

• Cosmic Kids Yoga - Yoga, mindfulness and relaxation designed specially for kids aged 3+

• GoNoodle - Keep your tiny dancer moving with these fun, free dance videos for the whole family!

• LES MILLS On Demand - Another great resource for parents to experience over 800+ workouts from home. They’re offering free trials!

Exploring Art:

• BroadwayHD - You can experience the magic of Broadway from home! They offer a 7-day free trial!

• Google Arts & Culture - Google has partnered with over 500 museums and galleries around the world!

• Met Opera - Every evening enjoy a FREE night at the opera from your couch! 

Virtual Learning:

• ABC Mouse - Reading, math, science, and art for ages 2-8.

• Kahn Academy - Free online learning and lesson plans for kids of ALL ages.

• LUNCH DOODLES with Mo Willems - Mo welcomes you into his studio at home and guides you through drawing activities using one of his favorite characters as inspiration!

• Raddish Kids - Healthy meal prep activities for families

• Scholastic Learn at Home - Day-by-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.

• Wild, FREE & Crafty - Free art lessons for kids and adults.

Stay informed:

• Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Stay updated and informed! The CDC recommends also following your local and state health agencies for additional information.

Whether you’re homeschooling kids, trying to work from home, or doing your best to keep your dancer active, we hope that you find these links helpful!

From all of us here at Positions Dance Studio, we are sending you warm and healthy thoughts. Together we will make it through this time, and we can’t wait to see you all back at the studio. Happy living room dancing to all of our students!

Positions Happenings: Take a Look at our February Newsletter

Wait…. Where did January go?! Winter is flying by this year and we can’t complain. The season of LOVE is upon us as we head into Valentine’s Day! This month on the blog we are featuring our February Newsletter. We’ve got tons of exciting events and important studio updates for our dance families!

Read on to stay in the know about all our exciting dance events in Babylon:

1. Don’t forget to purchase your Paper Hearts! 

The hearts are flying over here at the studio! This month we are selling paper hearts! Proceeds benefit the Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition. Stop by the front desk to learn more and purchase.

Thank you in advance for your help in supporting this great organization!

2. Winter Break is February 17th-23rd

There are no classes this week! We are wishing all of our dance families a relaxing break. Take some time to restart and refresh as we head into recital season! 

Classes are canceled but we WILL be offering a Winter Break Camp for kids ages 3-10. See below for details! 

3. Join us for Mini Winter Camp on February 18th and 19th! 

Ms. Assante, from St. Joseph’s Nursery School, and Miss Kelly are teaming up again for another fun Winter Camp! On Tuesday, we are throwing a pancake and pajama party that you won’t want to miss. Wednesday will be a Mad Scientist adventure! 

Join us for one day or two! Camp pricing starts at $40 for one day and $70 for both days. Ages 3-5 will camp from 9am-11pm and ages 6-10 will camp from 11:30-1:30! Contact the studio at 631-669-8612 to register!

4. New Year, New You: Our Adult Fitness Contest ends on February 16th

We are in the final stretch before we announce the winner of our adult fitness! Don’t forget to get those classes in before the 16th! Whoever attends the MOST classes by this date wins a $50 Positions gift card. We believe in you, let’s tackle those fitness goals together at the studio! 

Review the adult fitness schedule here! We’d love to see you in class. 

5. Save your spot for Pinot Noir at the Barre! 

Sorry kids, this one is adults only! On February 17th, we are so excited to host a Special Event for just $30/person. This class will feature a barre workout to get you up and moving. After that, guests will enjoy a wine, cheese, and chocolate pairing class to make your workout even sweeter!

Call 631-669-8612 to reserve your spot! See you on February 17th from 7pm-8:15! 

6. Spend Your Summer With Positions Dance Studio!

Summer is the perfect time to work on technique in a stress-free and fun environment! Look for the summer dance schedule later this month. Take 10% off your tuition if you register before April 30th! 

7. Frozen Kids: Save the date for our Spring Musical! 

Positions students will be presenting Frozen Kids on April 26th at 2pm at the Argyle Theatre. Don't miss this family-friendly performance! 

Tickets go on sale February 28th. We can't wait to see our students shine!

8. Positions Dance Studio Evening at the Argyle Theater

Tickets are on sale now for Disney’s The Little Mermaid at the Argyle Theater and it’s a special night for Positions Dance Studio families on February 21st at 7:30pm. Be sure to grab your discounted ticket for $59 (normally $74)! Tickets for kids 12 and under are $35. Contact the studio to purchase tickets!

9. Mark your calendars for Recital 2020! SO exciting!

We know it’s early, but over here we are ALREADY busy planning for our fabulous June recital. Important dates for you to know include Dress Rehearsal on June 27th at 11am and Recital on June 28th at 11am and 4pm. 

Mark your calendars now so those dates don’t sneak up on you, and check back to the recital page of our website to stay in the know. It’s going to be a great show!

We are SO excited to be offering so many new events and workshops for our Positions families! Have an idea that you’d like us to add to the list? We’d love to hear from you! Contact the studio today! 

4 Reasons Why Dress Code Matters

What is cuter than a tiny dancer in a pink tutu? Nothing! We know that dance outfits are just ADORABLE, but they also serve a purpose. Proper dance apparel not only creates an effective learning environment, but it also teaches young dancers important life lessons. All cuteness aside, dress code is important! 

As we kick off another year of dance classes at Positions Dance Studio, we thought this would be a great time to dive in a little deeper and explain why dress code is so important. We know that it isn’t always easy to get your child to class in the correct outfit with the correct shoes. We greatly appreciate ALL our families do to support their dancers!  

Check our top 4 reasons why dress code matters: 

1. Help US Help YOU

First and foremost, our dress code is made to help our teachers do their job! We are here to give our students ALL the best information about dance technique and body placement. But if we can’t see our students’ bodies, we can’t help them achieve their goals. Even the slightest adjustment in arm positions or shoulder placement can transform a single pirouette to a double. If you show up to class looking like a dancer, we are able to make you the BEST dancer you can be. 

2. Discipline

Ask any dance teacher and they will probably agree that there is usually a HUGE difference between students who take dress code seriously and those who don’t. We notice! Getting in the habit of putting on dance clothes, ditching the jewelry, and securing hair in a neat bun teaches dancers to come to class ready to work hard. It is more than just an outfit. Dress code enforcement creates improved work ethic, focus, overall attitude, which is why we love it so much! 

3. Safety

Shoelaces, jewelry, and baggy clothes might not seem like a big deal for a kid. But when you are dancing your heart out, one dangly necklace can create a huge safety hazard. Safety is always our first priority at Positions Dance Studio, and that starts with dress code! 

4. Prepping For The Big Stage

It’s no surprise that getting used to wearing tights and a leotard is a little bit of an adjustment. In class, we are ALWAYS working towards the big stage! We want our dancers to feel comfortable, confident, and empowered come recital time. Coming to class each week looking and feeling like a dancer makes getting up on stage in a fancy costume SO much easier! 

Parents, with all the tights, leotards, and ballet slippers to choose from, figuring out what to wear to dance class can sometimes be a tedious task. BUT, at Positions Dance Studio, we make it SUPER easy for parents because we think that dress code should never be overlooked. Visit our website for a class by class dress code guide and find EVERYTHING you need right here in our dancewear store. 

Happy dancing Position families! We can’t wait to see all of our dancers looking beautiful from head to (pointed) toe! 

4 Ways to Stay In Shape This Summer

Summer is here! If you’re like us you are feeling lots of mixed emotions. YAY summer, let’s hit the beach and relax… BUT uh oh, that means we may LOSE all the technical gains that were made during the school year. 3 months without dancing is probably not a great idea for most of our dancers!

This month’s blog post is ALL about staying in shape. Join us on our summer fit mission! We want to help our dancers arrive in the fall strong and ready to pick up right where they left off. 

We’ve put together a list of our favorite ways to stay in shape over the summer for both dancers and parents. Don’t forget that we offer a FUN line-up of fitness classes for adults at Positions Dance Studio. 

4 Ways to Stay in Shape this Summer:

1. Take Class at Positions Dance Studio

Now we know we are a little biased, but we couldn’t leave ourselves off the list! Dance is ALWAYS our workout of choice. Most of the time, you get so lost in the music and the fun that you forget you are working out… and that’s the beauty of dance!

For Dancers: We know it might be tempting to take a break this summer after working hard all year. But trust us, coming back to dance in the Fall after 3 months of laying on the couch will NOT be fun! We have put together a great line-up of summer dance classes so you can stay in the studio over the summer. Summer is the perfect time to focus on your skills without the added stress of the school year. You will come back in the Fall stronger than ever instead of out of shape and playing catch-up!

For Parents: When we made our summer schedule we did NOT forget about you guys!!! We are making Positions Dance Studio THE place for adult fitness classes in Babylon this summer! Our schedule is packed with classes for every one of your workout preferences, from zumba, to ballet, to yoga. We’ve got you covered! Come sweat with us!

2. Get Outside

Don’t let this beautiful weather go to waste! It doesn’t come around often here in Babylon! :) Any workout is just 10 times better outside. Ditch the treadmill and take your run outside. Set up your yoga mat in the backyard and do some downward dogs. Spicing up your regular routine with some fresh air will give you that extra motivation you are looking for. 

Getting outside is super important for kids too! And the good part is, they usually love it! We know finding time to work out while also trying to entertain your kids can be difficult. Outdoor scavenger hunts, bike rides, and time at the park are all great ways to get your kids up and moving with you. The fresh air and sunlight will leave you all feeling refreshed and active!

3. Stretch, Stretch, and Oh Yeah, Stretch!

This one is mostly directed at our young dancers on summer break, but parents we are looking at you too! We remind our students of this regularly, but flexibility is a skill that requires consistent attention and leaves your body EXTREMELY quickly. 

For Dancers: If you go the whole summer without touching your toes, we promise your splits will be about a foot higher when you come back in the fall! We know finding the motivation and time to stretch amidst all the summer fun can be difficult. If you’re looking for some constant reminders and a little extra push, sign up for summer classes! At Positions, we will be stretching our splits ALL summer long in class. Will we see you there?

For Parents: Middle splits may not be a priority in this stage of life, but we can assure you that your body will LOVE you if you give it a good stretch every once in a while. Staying in shape is more than just burning calories and building muscles. It’s about making your body feel good. Stretching takes pressure off your joints by lengthening your muscles and giving them more range of movement. Say goodbye to aches and pains this summer and come stretch with us at our Adult Ballet, Adult Yoga, and Adult Barre classes. Check out the schedule here! 

4. Take Advantage of Pool/Beach Season

This one is our FAVORITE on the list. What better way to work out than at the pool or beach? 

For Dancers: Water ballet anyone?! No, seriously, do a ballet barre in the pool and we PROMISE you will be sore! The water provides extra resistance and will be sure to tone those muscles over the summer. An added bonus, dancing in the pool is great for dancers who are nursing injuries because it lowers your impact on joints. Dance physical therapists always recommend doing some relevés and jumps in the pool first while working back up to dancing! 

For Parents: Who’s in for a jog on the beach? What about a few laps at the pool? Or better yet, go for a jog TO the pool. Diving in is the best reward for a great workout. Make a splash this summer!

Making this list has us feeling SO motivated! So now let’s get to it! Put those phones down and get MOVING. But before you do, register for some classes at Positions to make sure you keep the hustle up ALL summer long. Thank us later! :)

Why We LOVE to Dance!

February has arrived and you know what that means! Hearts, hearts and more hearts. Every year at Positions Dance Studio we host a fundraiser for Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition.  BBCC is a local organization that provides community education and direct support to cancer patients. Each year we sell Pink Hearts during the month of February to raise money for their organization. Our dancers write why they LOVE to dance on the Pink Hearts and we display them in our studio windows. To get your thoughts flowing, here are 4 reasons to LOVE dance.

1. Dance is a tool for self-expression.

Sometimes words just aren’t enough to express how we are feeling. Dance gives us the opportunity to express ourselves in a way that nothing else can. It is SO freeing to move our bodies and portray emotions without having to say a single word.

2. We can spread joy to others through dance.

Putting a smile on an audience member’s face while performing is one of the most rewarding feelings. Dance gives us something to share with others. We can entertain an audience and we can also make them feel powerful emotions just by dancing.

3. It helps you stay physically fit… in the most FUN way possible!

Who doesn’t LOVE getting up on their feet and grooving when they hear their favorite songs. Dancing makes it SO EASY to be active. Your body is having so much fun getting lost in the music that it forgets that it is even tired. Not to mention the strength, endurance, coordination, and flexibility that dancers achieve after years of being in the studio.

4. Dance builds confidence in a way that nothing else can.

Coming to class each day and seeing all the fabulous things our bodies are capable of is truly a gift. Nailing a pirouette or landing a perfect leap reminds us that we have so much potential when we work hard. More importantly, getting up on stage and performing for an audience makes us feel HUGE in a world that can sometimes make us feel very small. When you hear a giant round of applause, and that applause is for YOU, it builds confidence.

Those are just 4 of the MANY reasons why dance is easy to love. Now it’s your turn. Tell us why YOU love to dance by purchasing a Pink Heart for Babylon Breast Cancer Coalition at the front desk for the month of February. BBCC is a great organization and we really enjoy showing support for their cause. We also LOVE seeing our dance families get involved and reading all of the heartwarming reasons why you love to dance. Keep spreading the love, Positions Dance families!

It's Time To Tackle Your Goals!

With the New Year comes fresh starts and new chances. Have you sat down to think about what goals you would like to accomplish this year? At Positions, we like to see ALL of our students (children and adults) take some time to really think about their goals. Goals keep us motivated to pursue the life we want! Whether that is to become a great dancer, to do something we love, or to stay healthy and fit, the New Year is a great time to re-evaluate.

How do you make sure you actually accomplish these goals? Although the power is entirely up to you, we thought we could give you a few of our best strategies to turn your hopes and dreams into reality.

1. Say your goal out loud and not just to yourself hehe! Tell your family and friends and write it down somewhere you will see every day. The more you can spread the word about your goal, the more you are telling yourself that you CAN accomplish it! This strategy has a bonus: when you tell people about your goals, you are also building a support system. Your friends and family will check in every once and while to see how you are doing, what a better way to stay accountable!? You may even find a couple people who have a similar goal.

2. Make a plan. What steps are you going to take to make this goal happen? For example: If you would like to incorporate more exercise into your life: Are you going to join a gym? Take group fitness classes ( like the amazing ones we have here at Positions )? Sign up for a race? How often will you train? What time of day? Be specific! Don’t leave anything up to chance. Make a plan and stick with it!

3. Find an accountability buddy. Accomplishing goals is much more fun when you have a buddy! Find someone who has a similar goal and check in week-to-week on how you are both doing. You can even meet once a week to take a class, go for a run, etc. It’s always much harder to skip out when someone is meeting you there or waiting to hear all about your progress.

4. Set a reward. If you are anything like us, getting a reward is half the fun of accomplishing goals! Your reward could be big or small but make sure it is something enticing enough to pull you out of a slump. Unfortunately, there will be days where you don’t feel like following through on your plan, if you have a reward in place, it will help push you through! We love putting a picture of the reward right next to our goal where we can see it every day.

Are you feeling motivated yet?? We sure are! If your young dancer is hoping to set some goals this year, we encourage you to help guide them through this process. You can feel good that you are teaching them how to ACTUALLY accomplish their goals and they will feel good that you are there to support them through it. For any dance specific goals, check in with their teacher. Teachers can be great resources in making goals a reality!

Find More Opportunities To Be Creative

Creativity is something we highly value at Positions Dance Studio. By encouraging creativity in the classroom, your children will be better equipped to solve problems, express emotions, become more self-aware, and so much more. We think that is pretty great, don’t you? It got us thinking, what other ways can your dancers build more creative time into their lives? We have put together a great list of ideas for all ages to try.

• See A Show. There are a TON of great shows to see for all ages and budgets, especially at this time of year. Whether it is theater, dance, music, or art, seeing something new can open your dancer’s mind to new possibilities. Seeing other people's creativity come to life is a great way to get inspired!

• Take a new class. Sign your dancer up for something they have never tried before. That could be a new style of dance (check out our current schedule here to find one) OR something completely different like painting or acting. By exposing your child to something new (in a safe environment like a class) you are building the foundation that new is fun and exciting and it is OK to not be the “best” (at any age).

• Make up a dance at home. This is always a hit at sleepovers and family parties. Choreographing requires a dancer to try new things and put a story or emotions into movement. At the end of the night, your dancers can put on a show in the living room for you. We promise it will be so much fun for everyone! BONUS: Grab that camera and record it every once and awhile. You will be amazed at how your dancer’s choreography progresses year after year, all thanks to their creative mind being strengthened.

This list has us ready to go have some fun, how about you? Like we mentioned, your dancers already have a leg up in the creative department JUST by coming to dance class. These could be a few really great (and fun) ways to keep the creativity flowing outside of dance class. Does your family do any special projects or activities that foster this skill? We would love to know it the comments!