Cultivating Positivity

In this article, Anna is talking about cultivating positivity.

PREFACE: I wrote this post at the end of April for mental health awareness month. Mental health isn’t something we should only think about for one month, however. This post was written in the thick of quarantine, which was one of my main reasons for writing it, but I believe that it is still incredibly relevant today as well. We will continue to experience low points in our lives, so it is important to take the good with the bad and find the small moments of happiness to keep us going. Enjoy!

It can be hard to hold onto happiness and positivity in the midst of everything happening in our world. I know that I have been struggling a lot with maintaining a bright attitude lately. The negativity and depressing truth of what is going on around us is suffocating, and I feel that needs to be recognized. I had a teacher in high school who once had us all yell “this sucks!” right after they dropped a pop quiz on us. On the count of three we all yelled. I feel like we need that right now. Ready? One, two, three: This sucks! It's important to get that out, and to acknowledge that everything is not always great. And that’s ok. Everything doesn’t have to be amazing, but with what is going on in the world it’s important to look for what is good around us or risked getting dragged down by that looming force of depression and negativity that may be spreading faster than the virus. 

A few weeks ago, it was pouring down rain. Grey clouds blanketed the sky in every direction. Then, out of  nowhere, the setting sun broke through the clouds, bathing the world in a golden light. Raindrops fell like a thousand glittering diamonds to the silver that coated the concrete. It was beautiful, and it happened during the gloomiest, rainiest day.

One thing that has helped me tremendously through this trying time is looking for these little moments. Positivity and happiness aren’t created by large, monumental experiences. Sure, those are the ones that might stand out to you, but they aren’t the whole story. A dance isn’t a dance because there is a perfectly executed turn combo or a complicated and death-defying trick. There are also the smaller parts to consider: the transition steps, the slight tilt of the head, the pas de bourrée before a pirouette. Combined, all of these parts make up the incredible thing that is a dance. I believe the same can be said about happiness and positivity. 

We might not be having the times of our lives right now, but that does not mean there aren’t little kernels of happiness just waiting to be discovered. A blooming flower outside of your window, a walk around the block, a steaming cup of tea and a good book, movie night with the fam, that one song that has been on repeat the whole time I’ve been writing this blog post. All of these moments are here for us, we only need to open our eyes and see them for what they are. 

Sometimes it can seem that you don’t even have those little moments in our lives. But, hey, maybe you put on clothes today that weren’t pajamas or maybe you finally decided to cook something other than Kraft mac and cheese. Those are small happy moments! 

That isn’t to say that everything will be sunshine and rainbows. Reality has an annoying way of reminding us that, but we can look for small moments of happiness that help us to condition our minds to find the positive side of things. We can give precedence to the small happy moments instead of the large depressing one. If you think about it, there are way more small moments than big moments. If we can find all the small happy moments in our lives, they can outweigh the big depressing moment that is looming over us, lending us their positivity to carry on. 

I challenge you all to keep a journal. I didn’t used to think journaling was my thing, but I was prompted to start journaling during my first quarter of college. The transition was super difficult for me emotionally, and I found myself dwelling on everything that I deemed bad in my life. To counteract that, every night I’ve been writing down at least one good thing, one small happy moment, and using those combined moments to lift my spirits. Sometimes the moments are very small, like finishing my homework and having time to relax or sleeping in an extra hour on the weekend. 

These moments are still there though, and they can have just as much influence over your mood as spotting does over your turns. An audience member doesn’t typically look at a dancer who just performed eight pirouettes and think, “wow, they were just spotting”. Their reaction is going to be more along the lines of “Oh my gosh they just did a million pirouettes!”. Spotting might be overlooked by others, but it's incredibly important to the pirouette, just like the small moments are incredibly important to your mood.  

The sky might be dark, and we might be soaking wet and sick of standing out in the pouring rain waiting for the storm to pass. We can make the most of this rain, though. We can take each small happy moment we find, each glimmer of the sun through a break in the clouds, and use it to find the strength to continue. 

And if I made just one person smile on the inside while reading this, that is my happy moment.

Practicing Self-Compassion: The Ultimate Gift For Ourselves #mentalhealthawareness

May is Mental Health Awareness Month! In this series, we are giving the staff here at DWC a platform to talk about their personal mental health journeys. We believe in supporting the wellbeing of the whole dancer; both body and mind. We want you to know that you are not alone. We believe in the importance of talking about mental health openly, especially within the dance world. So let’s talk about it!

In this article, Madison shares her words of wisdom regarding positive self image and practicing self compassion.

This global pandemic has instilled confusion, worry, and anxiety in people around the globe. From being separated from our loved ones, to breaking our comfortable daily routines, this transition to a “new normal” is unsettling to say the least. And while it may be temporary, it’s worth addressing that it can feel distressing: and that is okay. Although we all have school, work, and familial obligations, it is important to find time for ourselves to engage in healthful activities that bring us more in touch with our emotions. In other words, there hasn’t been a more important time for many of us to practice self- compassion.

Self-compassion doesn’t mean attempting to modify our surroundings or actively trying to control what is out of our hands. Self-compassion means paying attention to our internal emotions and welcoming them as they are. We live in a world that places value on those who can effortlessly push through their negative emotions and output as much productive work as possible, which is a difficult standard to live up to. In order to live the most productive and happy lives that we can, slowing down to give ourselves compassion is necessary. But learning to do this takes time, patience, and practice, especially if you are a self-proclaimed perfectionist. Samantha Weissbach Williams, director of operations at Dancewear Center, says that “ever since [she] can remember, [she has] been at war with [her] very harsh and strongly-opinionated inner-critic.” Like many of us, Samantha had “developed an incredibly high (borderline impossible) set of standards for herself,” and any failure she experienced “would absolutely consume” her. Anything from things she “said in conversation” to “flubs in class combinations” would keep her up at night. She had undergone decades of classical ballet training and had a burning desire to “please, impress, and care for people and their desires.”

However, a big shift occurred for Samantha when she began “changing the tone of [her] self-talk.” On one occasion, Samantha’s good friend and dancing peer CarliAnn Forthun Bruner said in response to one of their dancers putting themselves down, “Hey! Don’t talk to my friend like that! She’s awesome!” It was a simple comment, but powerful. Samantha thought to herself “what if we gave the same amount of grace to ourselves that we gave to our closest friends?” After years of practice, Samantha is finally able to “exercise self-compassion and enjoy the process of personal growth in dance (and life in general).” Nowadays, when she makes a choice that results in an unfavorable outcome, she is able to “analyze without judgement” and “make note of what needs to be different moving forward.”

Self-compassion for many of us is an ongoing process that can never truly reach perfection. We can all constantly improve how we take care of our minds and bodies, but this can begin with having positive self-talk. Whether we notice it or not, the way we think and speak about ourselves largely affects how we perceive ourselves. Actively giving yourself positive affirmations is a great way to practice this healthily. Whether you think them in your head, speak them aloud, or writie them down, stimulating enough positive thoughts about yourself will allow you to believe in them yourself. Another big key to self-compassion is simply self-awareness. Effective self- awareness involves recognizing how you’re feeling and accepting those emotions as they are without judgement. Dancewear Center’s social media director Cherie Rendon says that for her, “self-compassion starts with observation.” She likes to do a “journaling exercise in the morning” each day, in which she observes how she is feeling “mentally, physically, and spiritually.” When Cherie journals, it’s important that she’s honest with herself and does not place judgement on how she’s feeling, because “self-compassion is about meeting yourself in the moment and allowing your body and mind to ride the wave.” Whether it’s in the morning, evening, or throughout the day, journaling is a great tool you can use to identify the source of your emotions and learn to respect them. It’s often helpful to imagine emotions as waves passing by. As emotions pass through you, they can often feel intense, but like a wave they are merely temporary. Eventually, waves will dissipate as they hit the shore; and similarly, your emotions won’t last forever. Whether you imagine them as waves, clouds, or cars passing by, imagining your intense emotions as objects or experiences in motion can make them feel a lot more manageable and momentary.

But when you are feeling overwhelmed with strenuous emotions and finding it difficult to cope with them in the moment, a self-compassion strategy that can be extremely helpful is mindfulness. When life starts to feel overly hectic or stressful, it is useful to take a break from what you are doing to focus on your breathing and tap into your senses. It helps to close your eyes and take deep, slow breaths, inhaling for four seconds and exhaling for four seconds. As you breathe, you may even pay attention to what you can see, hear, touch, smell, and taste around you. This can allow you to feel more grounded after feeling overwhelmed with anxiety and stress. We live in an extremely fast-paced world, and it can be tempting to want to push through all of the tasks on our to-do list and get as much completed as we can as quickly as possible. However, sometimes the most productive thing we can do for our body and mind is simply take a break. Through practicing mindfulness, intentional breathing, and positive visualization, you can quickly take a break from your work to pay attention to your own mental and physical presence. Afterwards, you will feel mentally and physically refreshed and likely able to perform daily tasks more effectively.

Taking breaks to practice mindfulness is not the only way to exercise self- compassion, it’s also important to take breaks from your routine to do other activities that bring you joy. Whether it’s temporarily stopping your homework to take an online ballet class, cooking yourself a nice meal, or calling your friends to catch up, find the activities that make you happiest and find ways to sprinkle them throughout your weekly routines. We are living through an unprecedented period, which can obviously place an abundance of stress and uncertainty on our lives. All of this stress is made more complicated when we create unrealistic standards for ourselves to live up to. But just because you may have more free time, doesn’t mean you need to channel it all into your school, dance, or work obligations. Take time to fill yourself up with the self- compassion you need, through positive self-talk, journaling, mindfulness, and more. Soon enough, self-compassion will be a habitual part of your daily routine, and your mind and body will thank you.

Coping with Quarantine

Madison, Senior Pointe Shoe Fitter at DWC is sharing her experience and tips during this time of isolation. We hope to give a little inspiration and a few tools for dealing with this hard time. We’re all in this together.

 It’s fair to say that the COVID-19 pandemic is changing our lives in drastic ways. Many people are losing their jobs, moving to different homes, and transitioning to online platforms for school and dance classes. People around the globe are experiencing varying shifts in their daily routines which can be difficult to process.

            In my own life, my college classes have moved to online formats and upcoming dance concerts I am performing in have been postponed. I have moved out of my college dorm and back into my family home for the rest of the school year. Not being able to see my friends and other loved ones during this cumbersome time was difficult for me to grapple with at first. However, by re-instating some basic structure into my life and finding some excitement in each day, I am gradually constructing a routine that is making me feel comfortable, healthy, and productive during this temporary time of calamity. Here are some of the tips I have to offer:

Planning:

            Keeping a daily planner is something I have been doing for several months, but planning is especially crucial for me as of lately. It’s easy to get sucked into scrolling through social media for copious hours each day when you do not have much on your agenda: we have all been there. That’s why creating an agenda for myself is so important.

I prefer keeping a physical planner, but there are many digital versions that can be tailored to anyone’s needs. As soon as I wake up in the morning, I write down the tasks that I want to accomplish for that day. These tasks could be as simple as “calling my best friend” or “doing my laundry,” or more complex like “creating a ballet barre routine” or “rearranging the furniture in my room.” Regardless of how mundane the task seems, being able to cross it off of my to-do list at the end of the day makes me feel productive and satisfied with how I spent my time.

Creating your own routine:

            I am the type of person who thrives off of having a daily routine. I enjoy having the same thing for breakfast each day and having a predictable work schedule. As a student, these routines are usually put in place for me; however, during this quarantine, I have been granted a lot more freedom to rearrange my routine how I please. Due to this enhanced leeway, I have created a nice balance of dancing, working, reading, and socializing that makes my days feel balanced and complete. Finding the routine that works for you can take some time, but once you settle into a comfortable groove, life can begin to feel a little closer to normal.

Utilizing online dance classes:

            Most dance studios and companies across the country have cancelled classes and performances due to the pandemic. This has left millions of dancers scrambling to find ways to keep up their technique and continue dancing as a positive outlet during this stressful time.

            Perhaps a silver lining to come out of this is the influx of online classes available to the public. Many professional dancers from renowned companies like ABT and NYC Ballet are offering free classes through Instagram Live. These are classes that many dancers would otherwise be unable to take due to time, distance, expenses, or discomfort. Now, thousands of dancers around the world can take the same class in the privacy of their own homes without fear of being judged. Personally, I have been enjoying taking Tiler Peck’s daily ballet class on Instagram Live, it’s always a part of my day I look forward to.

            Many local studios and companies in the greater Seattle area are also offering classes through Instagram Live and Zoom, so check out their social media and websites to see what they are offering and how you can take part!

Picking up new skills:

            While quarantining has closed off a significant amount of opportunities, it has also opened up a lot of free time. The daily obligations we usually have from school, work, and dance can leave little time to explore new interests. But now, many of us have the chance to try things we have always wanted to. I have used this free time to pick up some new hobbies and practice honing some different skills, like painting and cooking new recipes. I have also been able to read some books that I didn’t have time to read in the past. Since I am in the process of moving back into my family home, I have used my free time to rearrange aspects of my room to make it a space suited for working and relaxing. Think about the hobbies and projects that you have been itching to take up and start trying them out with your newfound free time!

Connecting with family and friends

            Many people are lucky to be experiencing quarantine surrounded by their loved ones, but many others are far from the comfort of their family and friends. I was personally looking forward to connecting with friends I hadn’t seen in months over spring break, but due to the pandemic, I likely won’t be able to see them for even longer. Finding ways to still feel connected with my friends and family has been crucial for me. FaceTiming with groups of friends and creating Zoom chats can sometimes even feel like I am seeing my loved ones in person. Carve out time in your day to reach out to the important people in your life!

Uncertainty about the future can instill a lot of stress in people. It’s difficult right now to picture what the next couple months will look like, but that gives us a great opportunity to focus on living in the present. Indulging in your hobbies, picking up new skills, and connecting with loved ones are great ways to focus on living in the moment. Through implementing these tips and practicing self-care we can all move closer to lives that feel a little more normal.

Thanks,

Madison

Products We Have a Crush On

This Valentine’s Day we want to share with you some products we are absolutely in love with. All products mentioned are tried and true staff favorites that we simply can’t stop talking about!

Apolla K Warmers $42

These leg warmers are truly revolutionary for me. Over the last year I have been dealing with a strained left hamstring, so long rehearsals, extensions, and leaps have been things that tend to anger those muscles. I tried the K Warmers to help with the muscle fatigue I’ve been feeling and wow have they helped! From the moment I put them on I was impressed. My knees immediately felt more stable and I could feel the compression helping my circulation. After dancing in them I was shocked how good my legs felt. They help me keep that hamstring warm and supported and reduces swelling so I’m not as sore the next day. -Cherie

Capezio Trash Bag Pants $24.50

These pants are a staple in my warm up attire. My body takes a while to warm up enough where it’s safe to dance full out and these have really helped speed up that process. They also retain heat so I don’t have to worry as much about my muscles going cold during breaks. One of the best features of these pants is how thin they are. I don’t feel like they inhibit my movement at all! They’re lightweight and feel like tights. Just be sure to wear a layer underneath! Because they keep all the heat in, you’ll need an absorbent layer inside; tights or leggings work perfectly! -Samantha

Flexi Stretcher $58

The Flexi Stretcher is such a good product to have handy simply because it can function for so many things. I personally really like it to help with my hip and back alignment when stretching my extensions. You can use it like a Theraband to work your feet and it’s perfect for resistance training for your arms and legs! Seriously this all-in-one product is so nice to have on hand! -Olivia

Competition & Convention Essentials

The time is upon us; it is officially competition and convention season! Ahead are intense weekends of dancing, incredible learning experiences, team bonding, and routine coffee stops. We all want to be putting our best foot forward as the season begins, so keep reading for some of my “must-haves” !

Apolla Shocks

Conventions mean dancing on carpeted concrete. Flooring like that is so hard on your body, especially while turning and jumping and doing all the crazy floorwork you’re likely to encounter. Now more than ever we encourage dancers to wear Apolla Shocks. They have padded soles on high impact areas of the foot and graduated compression technology that encourages blood flow as well as support. Less swelling, less pain, these socks are a must.

Tiger Balm

Oh the holy grail of muscle salves! Sometimes past injuries flare up, or muscles get strained or fatigued. You can find me in the corner slathering this stuff on my back and shoulders when they’re particularly inflamed. Although products like these are only a bandaid for the pain, they certainly help in the moment.

Sleep mask

Sleep affects us much more than we realize. It’s so important to make sure our brain is just as prepared as our body when going into a long weekend. I like to bring my sleep mask with me to make sure I get the most out of my Z’s.

Reusable Water Bottle

This one’s a no brainer. There is nothing quite like taking a swig of cold water after a challenging class. Better yet, throw some electrolytes in there to account for the sweat!

Lavender Essential Oil

It’s really easy for me to get overwhelmed in big groups of people. Especially in a convention setting that’s a bit crowded and loud, it can sometimes make me feel a little uneasy. I like to dab a little bit of lavender essential oil behind my ears and on my neck as a scent reminder to take a deep breath, relax, and enjoy dancing.

A Flattering Leotard

Sometimes the right outfit can really boost my mood. I love this Ballet Rosa leotard. It’s simple and elegant and perfect for every occasion.

Take care of your bodies as you compete or go to conventions, and most of all HAVE FUN! We are dancers because our heart gives us no other choice, so embrace it fully.

With love,

Cherie

Madison's Summer Favorites!

Hi guys! I’m so excited to be sharing some of my favorite summer products with you today! Let’s dive right in…

1. Ainsliewear’s White “Jade” Leotard

I am obsessed with the beautiful blue floral watercolor design on this leotard! I also love the mesh detail near the collar, as well as the flattering open back. The design of this leotard is unique, light and fresh, and perfect for summertime. Also, this leo is made out of high-quality, thick, but breathable material and is lined on the interior for maximum comfort and security. It’s the perfect leotard to wear for a summer class!

2. Eurotard’s Burgundy Warm-Up Shorts

These shorts are perfect for dancing in warmer weather. They are made out of a super light fabric that is breathable, but still insulated to keep muscles warm. The waistband is thick, comfortable, and has a high rise for a more flattering aesthetic. I think the burgundy color is super unique, but still muted enough to pair with different colored leotards and tops. …and get this: they have pockets!

3. Bloch’s Rosin Spray

I like using rosin on my pointe shoes, ballet slippers, and socks to increase traction and prevent slipping; however, traditional rock rosin is messy and hard to transport. That’s why I love this rosin spray by Bloch! The packaging is super compact and so it’s great to keep in your dance bag when you’re on the go. The rosin itself also works really well on nearly any type of dance shoe or sock.

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Thanks for reading! I always love hearing from all of you… what are your favorite summer products? Comment below, or share with us on Instagram or Facebook!

Love,

Anna's Dance Bag Reveal!

Hello everyone! Today, I am going to share some of the things that I keep in my dance bag, as well as some tips and tricks for organization, and prolonging the life of your dance gear!

I keep all of the pointe shoes that I am currently using at home in a large mesh bag, but in my dance bag I keep one pair in a smaller mesh bag so there is more space for other items. It's great to keep your pointe shoes (as well as their accessories) in mesh because it allows them to cool off and dry out after being danced in so that they don’t get smelly and gross. 

I always keep ballet slippers and half soles in my bag no matter the occasion because they are fairly versatile in terms of dance shoes. To keep the pairs from getting separated in the black hole that is my dance bag, I like to pull them through each other’s elastics.

I currently have character shoes in my bag right now because I’ve been rehearsing a piece in heels. If I’m doing a musical they are also in my bag, but normally I leave them at home in a little basket I have in my room for extra dance shoes so they don’t end up being dead weight in my dance bag.

My Apolla Shocks are also a current must have in my bag! I use them for contemporary and teaching mostly, but they are great for almost any style of dance. To keep them from getting lost, I tuck the end of one into the other.

I also always keep a store of myofascial release tools in my bag in case I ever have sore muscles that need rolling out. I find that I mainly need to roll out my feet, back, hip flexors, calves, and Achilles, so the stuff I keep in my bag is mainly for that!

Naturally, I also keep some emergency supplies in my bag: band aids, Neosporin, nail clippers and more!

Lastly, to stay organized I like to put my things in layers: the bottom being stuff I don't need right away and the top being things I have to grab at a moments notice. I also like to keep my pointe shoes at the very top so that they can get as much air as possible!

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Thanks for reading! I’d love to hear from you—what’s in your dance bag, and how do you like to stay organized? Comment below, or share via Facebook or Instagram!

Love,

DWC's Top 5 Summer Essentials

Today, Anna Peters and Madison Huizinga share some of our favorite products, tips, and tricks for making this summer the best one yet!

1. Zarély Compression Tights

Zarély Professional Recovery compression tights are an essential for summer intensives, and all year round!  Researchers from the University of Connecticut have concluded from extensive studies that compression tights help reduce muscle soreness, swelling, fatigue, and other side-effects of intense exercising.  Thus, the Zarély Professional Recovery compression tights are perfect to wear after long hours of classes and rehearsals at summer intensives.

The graduated compression technology featured in these tights is designed to enhance blood flow to aching and sore muscles so that dancers can aptly recover from fatigue and soreness. The foot area features an ergonomic design that is specialized for feet that are swollen and sore, especially from dancing en pointe all day. The tights also feature a flexible hip design which allows ultimate flexibility for workouts and stretching, as well as a soft waistband for maximized comfort. In addition to the amazing functionality of the tights, the compression features and black color also creates a sleek and flattering leg line.

2. Apolla Shocks: The Joule, Performance, and K-Warmer

It’s no secret that here at Dancewear Center, we LOVE Apolla Shocks. Apolla Shocks are compression socks made for dancers by dancers that aid in both performance and recovery! As dancers, we exercise for long hours in non supportive footwear that causes inflammation by overuse and strain, a huge precursor to injuries. Apolla Shocks combat this by providing specific, targeted support through several areas of high quality compression and extra cushion. 

The Joule: Great for wearing alone or under a pair of your dance shoes, the Joule will support your ankle, the arch of your foot, and the plantar fascia across the top with its open heel, open toe design. They help ensure that your feet are getting the love and care they need during a long day of dancing, whether you are in a barefoot contemporary class or learning variations en pointe.

The Performance: This low profile compression sock will create a seamless appearance in the classroom and on the stage. With multiple anatomically targeted compression zones, the Performance will enhance circulation and stability, making them a must-use for both dancing and recovery.

The K-Warmer: The K-Warmer provides support for the calves, shins, thighs, and knees and is the perfect tool to have for a long day of classes. They provide compression, ventilation, and a no slip property that makes them the perfect warm up partner!

3. Myofascial Release Tools

Between hours of intense dance training, it's a welcome relief to loosen up and roll out your stiff, sore muscles. Intensives test your endurance and recovery, and what better way to prolong both than by taking care of your muscles?

Russian Pointe Foam Roller, Bunheads Ultimate Roller, and Bunheads Massage Ball

Bunheads Ultimate Roller

Russian Pointe Foam Roller, and Bunheads Massage Ball

The fascia are strips and bands of connective tissue that attach, stabilize, enclose, and separate muscles and other internal organs. Though exercise, our muscle cells contract and relax, pulling on the fascia around them and causing them to tire and seize up. This causes the tightness that is experienced after an intense workout.

The Russian Pointe Foam Roller, Bunhead’s Massage Ball, and Bunheads Ultimate Roller are designed to help lessen the fascial tightness though the application of pressure in specified target areas, much like a massage would.

The Russian Pointe Foam Roller is designed to be lightweight, but strong; a great portable roller to take on the go in your dance bag.

The Bunheads Ultimate Roller is perfect to get out the kinks in your quads and relax the gripping Achilles after a long day en pointe.

The Bunheads Massage Ball has spines that work to dig deeper into your muscles and work to extend and relax your fascia.

4. Pointe Shoe Preservers

If you are going to be dancing long hours en pointe at your summer intensives, pointe shoe preservers are a must!  Preserving the life of your pointe shoes is a great way to prolong the strength and stability of the shoe’s shank and box.  This way, your shoes can last longer and your feet can receive maximal support while dancing.

Mesh Bags: Storing your pointe shoes in a mesh bag is a great way to air out the shoes to prevent sweat and moisture from breaking down the shoe’s structure and material.  Additionally, the aeration provided from the mesh bags prevents the pointe shoes from becoming too smelly after long hours of dance. At Dancewear Center, we have a variety of mesh bags in different colors, designs, and sizes, including this stunning Ainsliewear one featured in the photo above.  

Bunheads Deodorizing Pouches: Another strategy to avoid an unpleasant odor in your shoes is to place the Bunheads Deodorizing Pouches inside them.  These pouches contain carbon activated, bamboo charcoal that absorbs odor rather than simply masking it. The pouches also absorb excess moisture to prevent bacteria growth inside the shoes. 

Jet Glue: Jet Glue is a tried and true staple for nearly every dancer en pointe.  Jet Glue is a strong, professional grade adhesive that can be used to strengthen the shank of a pointe shoe.  Dabbing some along the outside of the shank can add time to the life of your pointe shoes.  

5. Emergency Supplies

As we all know from personal experience… there are certain dance supplies that you simply can’t have enough of!  Come on in Dancewear Center to stock up on these essential items that you may need in case of an emergency. 

Extra Hair Supplies: You never know when you’re going to need extra hair supplies.  Bobby pins, in particular, are so easy to misplace that sometimes it feels like they wander off on their own!  Stocking up on extra hair supplies is essential; you never know when a hair tie or hair net might break, or bobby pins might go missing.  Dancewear Center carries all kinds of hair supplies in a variety of shades, including Bloch Hair Kits which carry all your hair essentials in a neat, pastel tin. 

Sewing Kit: If you’re dancing en pointe at your summer intensives, we strongly suggest carrying a sewing kit in your dance bag.  If a ribbon or elastic snaps or begins to tear, it’s best to have these compact Bunheads and Russian Pointe sewing kits easily at your disposal.

Tights & Straps: Carrying around extra tights is also important, in case any spontaneous stains or tears occur.  Storing an unopened package of tights in your dance bag is great, just in case! Also, extra clear straps for leotards and nude camisoles is beneficial in case they are misplaced or damaged.

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Thanks for reading! We hope you learned something; and remember—we are always here to help answer questions and find the best products to fit your needs! Feel free to call, email, or just drop in to say hello!

Love,