Self-critical appreciation: mental skills (practice, response to feedback etc)

Reflective practice is an individual’s ability to look back at past performances and evaluate its successes and areas for improvement.
This process involves noting down reactions to the completion of various activities, and considering how future performance might be enhanced.

Concentration plays a critical role, allowing a dancer to maintain focus throughout complex sequences and remember choreography.
Mental rehearsal is another fundamental skill, where a dancer visualizes their performances without physically executing the movements.
Commitment to regular practice and improving performance is a pivotal quality for steady progress and success in dance.
Confidence enables a dancer to perform without feeling overly self-conscious, allowing their personality and emotions to shine through their movements.
Cultivating patience and persistence is key, as developing dance skills take time.
Problem-solving is another crucial mental skill. This involves creatively working through challenges that might arise during practices or performances.

A constructive way to maintain self-critical appreciation is by accepting and actively responding to feedback from instructors and peers.
Feedback received should be taken as an opportunity for learning and advancement.
Dancers must avoid becoming defensive but instead focus on using the feedback to improve their art.

It is crucial to ensure the physiological safety of dancers during practice. This involves warming up and cooling down properly, using the correct technique, and avoiding over-straining movements.
Good Spatial Awareness is required to prevent collisions and injuries during group performances.
Mental and emotional safety is as important as physical safety. A good dance environment encourages creativity, innovation, and emotional expression while ensuring a safe and comfortable environment.