Tricks To Staying Focused

onstantly looking at the clock during class? Is your mind wandering to a dreamland?

Don’t worry, you are in good company. Here are some tips and tricks for staying concentrated during class.

Sleep

Getting less than eight hours of sleep? Not getting enough sleep means that your body and mind do not have time to recover properly. This can leave the mind tired and unable to focus properly. Try tracking your sleep for a few weeks and take note of your concentration level.

Balance

Balancing dance, school, and other extracurriculars can be overwhelming. Thinking about all of the things you have to do can leave the mind distracted during class. We suggest before class begins, take time to write out a To-Do List and promise yourself to not worry about anything on the list until after class.

Arrive Early

Arriving early to class not only allows you to stretch but also it gives you time to begin focusing. Creating a routine will help your body and mind prepare for class.

Pro-tip: Have a pre-class playlist that helps you relax and stretch.

Listen and Hear

During class work on listening to the teacher's comments rather than just hearing them. By focusing on processing words, you will be forcing your mind to pay attention to. Plus, by fully listening you will be able to more adequately apply corrections.

Set an Intention

If you have ever taken a yoga class before, most classes begin with setting a personal intention. Try setting an intention before each dance class and when you feel your mind beginning to drift elsewhere think of your intention. Possible intentions: hold balances longer, moving your arms from your back, or straightening behind the knees.