How to Improve Quickly! | what I did at Vaganova | Ballet tips!

Summary

In this video, Isabella shares powerful strategies for improving quickly in ballet and other disciplines. She emphasizes using every moment productively, whether it's stretching during a commute or practicing in short bursts throughout the day. Recording yourself is key to identifying mistakes and making quick corrections. Isabella also stresses the importance of setting clear goals, creating a structured practice plan, and maintaining self-discipline. With consistency and focus on small, actionable tasks, you can improve faster and achieve long-term success.

Takeaways

• 😀 Prioritize utilizing every small moment in your day to work towards your goals, even if it's just 30 seconds at a time. These moments add up over time.
• 😀 Motivation can fluctuate, but self-discipline is key to sustained improvement. It's about consistently taking action, even when motivation wanes.
• 😀 Filming yourself during practice helps you identify errors quickly and make immediate improvements, even if you're uncomfortable with self-criticism.
• 😀 Use the time in between activities (like waiting for a friend or on public transportation) to do simple exercises like foot stretches or glute stretches.
• 😀 Practice as often as you can, even if it's only for short periods. The small moments of practice, like during a break or side practice in class, are still valuable.
• 😀 Start by being specific with your practice schedule. Set clear goals and designate exact times for practice to ensure progress.
• 😀 Even if you only have 10 minutes, make those minutes count. Quick, focused practice can lead to breakthroughs, like mastering a new technique.
• 😀 It's important to start small and gradually increase the frequency of practice. Don’t aim for daily practice from the start—build up over time.
• 😀 Set daily goals focused on specific areas of improvement (e.g., foot strength or flexibility) and prioritize exercises accordingly to maximize results.
• 😀 Planning your week in advance is essential. Knowing exactly what to practice, when, and where removes decision fatigue and ensures consistent progress.
• 😀 Watching videos of dancers you admire and analyzing their techniques can teach you a lot. Focus on the details like body positioning and movements to improve your own skills.

Q & A

Why is it important to use every little moment in your day towards your goals?

Using every little moment, like when you're commuting or waiting for someone, helps you make the most of your time. These small, consistent efforts accumulate over time, making a significant impact on your progress and improvement.

What is the role of self-discipline in improvement, according to the speaker?

Self-discipline is crucial because motivation is temporary and often influenced by external factors. Self-discipline helps you stay consistent, even when motivation fades, ensuring continuous progress towards your goals.

How can filming yourself while practicing help you improve?

Filming yourself allows you to objectively observe your movements and identify areas for improvement. You can instantly recognize mistakes, such as misalignment, and make corrections immediately, leading to faster improvement.

Why does the speaker suggest practicing in small increments of time?

Practicing in small increments, even 10-15 minutes, can be highly effective if done regularly. This approach allows for consistent improvement without overwhelming yourself, especially when you have limited time.

What should be prioritized in a daily practice plan?

A daily practice plan should focus on both big and small priorities. For instance, the big priority might be strengthening a specific skill, while the small priority could be maintaining another skill, like core strength. Structuring your practice time efficiently ensures balanced progress.

How does setting specific goals help in improving skills?

Setting specific goals gives you clear direction and purpose in your practice sessions. It helps you stay focused, track your progress, and ensures you’re working on the right areas at the right time, maximizing efficiency.

Why is it important to be organized and have a plan?

Having a clear plan removes decision-making time, allowing you to focus solely on practice. It ensures you consistently work towards your goals without wasting time figuring out what to do next.

What does the speaker mean by being vulnerable with yourself during practice?

Being vulnerable means honestly acknowledging areas where you need improvement, rather than avoiding the uncomfortable truth. Embracing this vulnerability leads to quicker learning, as it allows you to focus on the right areas for growth.

How does using resources like YouTube videos enhance learning?

Watching videos of professional dancers allows you to break down movements and see where you might be going wrong. By pausing and analyzing specific moments, you can learn techniques or nuances that you may not have noticed before.

What is the main takeaway from the video regarding improvement and hard work?

The main takeaway is that improvement requires consistent hard work, discipline, and patience. There is no magic pill for success, but using strategic methods, like practicing in small increments and utilizing available moments, can speed up the process.