Dancing is an overall body experience, and that includes our facial expressions. Sometimes when we’re concentrating on getting the choreography right, we forget that our face might be expressing the exact opposite of what we want to convey with our dance (pain instead of joy! frustration instead of release! scary smile instead of a natural one!). It’s important to take a moment and focus on this, as it can take away from your performance.
HOW TO PRACTISE WITH INTENTION
Next time you’re practising, try focusing all your attention on your facial expressions as often as you can. If you notice that your face muscles are tense, help release them by making exaggerated expressions (open mouth widely, lift eyebrows, move your jaw, etc. – it may not look glamorous but will help in the long run). Repeat as often as needed. Make sure you also understand the music and the lyrics, what the tone is – that’s crucial in determining what emotions your body, face included, should show.
Above all, don’t be afraid to lose yourself in the dance and let your emotions light up your face!
For more on intentional effortful practice and other tips make sure to check out our
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