"Dance... Even if you have nowhere to do it but in your own living room."
--Everybody's Free. "Sung" by Baz Luhrer. Adapted from a column by Mary Schmich.
This has to be my favorite "verse." I couldn't have said it better myself--because on a drill team, you use your body in every way imaginable--flipping, spinning, kicking, leaping, tapping... And although you have to stretch well always and take it slowly when you try new things, one thing you cannot do is be afraid. Because then you will fall out of your stunt or your turn.
Then you look stupid doing the choreography that looks like a spasticating chicken. If you know your moves fit the music, don't worry about what one of two or three people say about them. My first director once reminded us that dance is a performing art and is therefor subjective.
"All you can do is go out and do your best," she said. "And hope that they like it. Some people like the type of routine we're doing. Some don't. It's their opinion."
Doing whatever you do YOUR best is what matters.
For a dancer, your body is your instrument. Care for it as band member do their tubas or flutes or saxophones ... as artists do their brushes and paints. Keep your body nourished. Drink lots of water and sports-type drinks (don't want to mention a brand name. :)) Take your Vitamin C and calcium.
And as for dancing in your living room... Isn't that why dancers have living rooms? And bedrooms? And kitchens? And hallways?
Yes, dancing your living room. Even choreograph there, but always practice in a space where you won't have to worry about hitting your mother's antique Bohemian vases. Otherwise, it will look like the only place you dance is your living room.
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