Stunt Or Mastery?

You know how sometimes at the end of or right after class, rehearsal or practice, we work on that spectacular jump or move? I'm not only talking tours en l'air, en manège et al, but also simply whatever is a huge leap for you at your current stage of training. We're feeling good, we're energized and inspired to reach new heights (often quite literally). But sometimes, the first attempt doesn't turn out quite as smooth and polished as we strive for. And what do we tend to do then? We say “ok, I can do this” and try again. Still, not quite right, so let's do it again. “I know I can do this, I am so close. This attempt I'll succeed!”. Like that, we try again and “fail” once more. In the back of our mind, and in our muscles, we know and feel that we are tired. And that the smart thing to do would perhaps be – at least sometimes – to just leave it for now, rest well, and work on that super fancy move once mind and body are fresh again. We know we really shouldn't, but “just this one more last try – I know I can do it! One last try, I must do it once properly to finish off todays training. It's not possible that I can only almost do it, I need to do it nicely at least once today – it's driving me crazy!”. And on we go, try after try – feeling more tired and conscious of the fact that we're risking injury for dubious gains. We have a feeling that it's just not meant to work today and we'd be better off letting it be for now, but there's that drive that keeps us pushing from within.

Part of what is pushing us a little too hard at times is our impatience. Momentarily, it feels good to pat ourselves on the back and say “Yes, I did it!”. What we only think is: “I got lucky. It was risky and I really shouldn't have forced it, but I'll forget that and will do it all over again next time”. When we push too hard and, occasionally, get lucky, we potentially set ourselves up for a detrimental habit. The immediate success is a very powerful motivator, and encourages us to push too hard the next time, too. But by doing so, we actively decide that the small chance of an immediate “I did it once” is worth significantly increasing the risk of potentially serious injury. When forcing progress with a tired mind and fatigued body, when every plié feels so heavy and focus and coordination is a real mental strain or when we keep trying the same thing even if it apparently doesn't seem to work today, we may be pushing too hard. And when training feels draining, it's time to pause.

The reward may even be an illusion. Do you think managing to do your super-move once when tired means you'll be able to do it repeatedly and consistently? Chances are, you just did your move and got a moment's euphoria – without having made progress towards actually mastering it. In others words, if tomorrow you're asked to do that move as part of a dance, how confident are you you'll nail it on the first attempt? And every rehearsal thereafter? The risks, however, are very real. Not only is your tired, heavy body slow to react, but your exhausted mind is struggling to concentrate, slow and sloppy to coordinate. You are risking injuries that not only could take you a long time to recover from, but that are also completely avoidable and gratuitous.

My advice? Next time you're at a point in your training where something just doesn't seem to want to work, reassess. Take a moment to become your aware of your alertness, tiredness, and the state of your body and mind? Are you full of vigor or running on empty? Are you working with or fighting with your body? And how important is it, honestly, that you work on that particular move right now? Because sometimes, you progress by renewing your focus and harnessing every once of energy in you. And sometimes, your best move is to let it be. Work on something else, rest – whatever you need. Then, with a clear mind and refreshed body, sans the pressure of immediate success, you'll find yourself much better prepared for progress, growth and – in time – mastery.