Giving Myself Permission to Do Less

At the start of every new year, I like to set goals for myself as a dance teacher. Typically those goals are about my teaching methods, choreography, mindset, and career-growth oriented.

This year, one of my teaching goals is to not be afraid of doing less in my classes.

With the majority of my classes often being just an hour long, I’ve always felt the pressure to what I feel makes up a good dance class— a long warm warm-up, technique exercises, across the floor, and a combination at the end. I've struggled with feeling like if I didn’t get to the combo, or if I spent too long on one exercise, I had fallen short.

But the reality is, with these kinds of time restraints, trying to do “everything” in every class doesn't serve students. 

When we pack too much into a class, students often leave feeling overwhelmed rather than accomplished. Good training means students have the opportunity to repeat material, ask questions, and build muscle memory and confidence. The whole point of teaching isn't to simply “get through” the material, but to make sure our dancers absorb it. 

So this year, I’m reminding myself to not feel bad for:

• Spending ten minutes longer on an exercise/sequence students can repeat it and apply feedback

• Allotting enough time to practice something on both sides

• Allowing students to have a few minutes to work on something on their own, and then time to answer questions

• Not ending every class with a combo

Sometimes, the most impactful classes are the ones where we strip it down and focus deeply on fewer things. A strong across-the-floor progression can be just as valuable as a full combination. A technique-heavy class that never gets to choreography is sometimes even more productive. 

We want our students to build confidence, retain, and leave class feeling like they’ve accomplished something. 

Here’s the bonus: doing less doesn’t just benefit students— it helps us as teachers, too. We don’t need to spend hours planning new stuff each week to prove that we’re giving dancers “enough.” Instead, we can focus on clarity, intention, and depth.

When I approach my classes with that mindset, I feel calmer, more prepared, and more present with my students. I can actually pay attention to what I'm seeing instead of rushing. 

As you set your own intentions for the year, I encourage you to think about where you might give yourself permission to do less. Maybe that means fewer combinations, longer time spent on repetition, or simply releasing the guilt if you don’t “get through it all.”

Doing less doesn't mean you aren't doing a good job-- it means you are adapting to the times and giving your dancers the best training you're able to. 

Here’s to a year of doing less, but teaching more 😉