Over the past decade, journal writing has become increasingly popular. Research has confirmed that journal writing has many benefits for those who practice daily. It has also been shown to have an influence on happiness, goal attainment, and even physical health.
Dance and Journaling
At Nan’s School of Dance, we believe that keeping a journal could be very beneficial to our dancers. Dancers express themselves through a non-verbal platform. They express themselves through their movements in the art of dance, but given the chance to express themselves on paper could prove to improve their quality of dance and artistic expression!
Types of Journal Writing
There are many different types of journal writing.
- Organizational, which is used for lists, schedules, data and idea collection.
- Pragmatic journaling is when you write what you did, what you will do, any achievements or failures, etc.
- Idealistic journaling is when you write about your dreams, hopes for the future, goals, and ambitions.
- Emotional journaling is when you reflect on your feelings, and or a critique of them.
The Benefits of Journal Writing
Achieving Goals
When you write down your goals, it signals to your brain that “this is important.” Give yourself clear instructions on what you want to achieve. The more detailed, the better. This provides a mental blueprint and increases the likelihood of achieving your goals.
Boost Memory
You form words and ideas as you write, which causes the mind to compose or re-compose the ideas while journaling. This strengthens previously covered information and forces you to engage in cognitive recall. This can be especially helpful when needing to remember choreography!
Strengthens Self Discipline
Setting time aside to write each day is an act of discipline. Like a muscle, the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Habits that are formed in one area of life tend to spread. This means your daily practice of writing could spill over into other healthy habits!
Spark Your Creativity and Inspire Yourself
Be brave, and do not overthink it. In fact, you can write without thinking. Stream-of-consciousness writing is when you write every thought down without editing. Whatever you think…you write! This is a great writing exercise and can bring out thoughts and ideas you never knew you had. It can also help with writer’s block and get your creative juices flowing! Write your dreams. Write about people who inspire you. Write about things you’re grateful for, and prepare to be inspired.
How To Get Started
Begin small. It only takes a few minutes every day.
You do not need to start out with high expectations. Take it slow, start off with just a few minutes a day, every day. Once you have formed the habit, you can put more time into it.
Integrate the new habit into an old one.
Pick a time to include writing in your daily routine. It’s a lot easier to start and maintain a new habit when it’s incorporated into something you already do.
Don’t put any pressure on yourself; it’s okay if it’s messy.
This journal is for your eyes only. Remember, it does not have to be perfect, not even close. Just be honest in your writing and be yourself.
If you don’t know what to write about, write about what you’re grateful for.
Research shows that practicing gratitude writing can directly impact your happiness. Writing down what you’re grateful for and reflecting on those things can help you feel happier.
Begin with a friend
Do you have a friend that enjoys journaling as much as you do? Set up a system to hold each other responsible.
Why Nan’s School of Dance?
At Nan’s School of Dance, our goal is to provide top-quality instruction at a competitive price. We encourage our students to reach technical proficiency in their favorite dance form and build self-discipline, poise, and self-esteem. We offer instruction in Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Acro, and Pre-Dance, at all levels.
We love having new members in our dance classes and will help get your child acclimated to our dance school to make them feel right at home. When your child attends Nan’s School of Dance, they will become a part of our dance family and share in our love for dance!
Don’t Forget to Register!
From ballet to hip hop, we offer dance classes for ALL ages and skill levels in a variety of styles. We place students in classes that will challenge them while offering a fun atmosphere for learning and growth. We also offer Mommy & Me classes, (18 months – 2.5 years). Register online or give us a call at 919-803-6044 to hold your spot!
Interested in a Birthday Party or Summer Camp?
At Nan’s School of Dance, our parties are designed to be fun for kids and easy for parents! We provide a large studio room for food, drinks, and cake with a Party Professional that will lead your birthday party guests through an hour and a half of dance party fun. For more information, check out our website at www.nansdancenc.com.
We also provide summer camp opportunities, for more information, check out our website or give us a call at (919) 803-6044.
Want to Read More About Dance?
Take a look at some of our other articles about dance.