{"id":299,"date":"2023-07-20T02:47:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-20T02:47:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bigrecipes.net\/?p=299"},"modified":"2024-05-31T17:30:46","modified_gmt":"2024-05-31T17:30:46","slug":"navigating-layoffs-the-physical-mental-emotional-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bigrecipes.net\/index.php\/2023\/07\/20\/navigating-layoffs-the-physical-mental-emotional-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Navigating layoffs: The physical, mental, emotional and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Going hard in the studio and performing, and then weeks or months off: that\u2019s the dance sector phenomenon of layoffs, one that seems largely underdiscussed. These periods can bring myriad challenges. Physically, it can benefit dancers to give their body rest, but it also behooves them not to be back to the studio in a way that takes them from 0 to 60. That can be a tough balance to strike. Mentally and emotionally, navigating one\u2019s energy and time can be difficult \u2013 not to mention that dancer identity dynamic. (\u201cIf I\u2019m not dancing right now, what am I doing\u2026who even am I<\/em>?)<\/p>\n

At the same time, layoffs can be time for dancers to cultivate their interests, relationships and capacities outside of performing \u2013 perhaps entirely outside of dance, and even outside the arts more broadly. There can be opportunity in the adversity of time away from rehearsing and performing. To learn more about all of these dynamics, Dance Informa speaks with \u201cThe Broadway PT\u201d Dr. Megan Wise (PT, DPT), dance career mentor \u201cThe Brainy Ballerina\u201d Caitlin Sloan and NYC-based freelance dancer Kirsten Evans. Without further ado, let\u2019s jump in!  <\/p>\n

The physical: Giving your body rest but staying ready for the studio <\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr. Wise gives a concrete and helpful timing guideline. If your layoff is less than a month, \u201ctake the rest,\u201d she advises. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to lose your fitness in that amount of time \u2013 and, in fact, having that rest might allow you to come back even better.\u201d If it\u2019s longer than a month, then it\u2019s best for one to consider cross-training and getting back into class. It could actually be a great time to try a new training program or fitness form that sparks your interest. For example, if you\u2019re not currently dancing, your body might have an easier time adjusting to using new muscles in new ways, Dr. Wise points out. You can even make a list of movement\/fitness forms that you\u2019d like to give a try, she suggests. <\/p>\n

\n
\"Caitlin<\/a>
Caitlin Sloan. Photo by Nichole Manner.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

A longer layoff could also offer time for physical rehab, or even \u201cprehab\u201d (injury prevention work), Dr. Wise notes \u2013 just be sure to work with your physical therapist to determine if the time you have is enough to do the work within best practice guidelines. No matter what, keep rest <\/em>a priority \u2013 especially if it\u2019s the only time that you\u2019ll get for it in a long while, Dr. Wise adds. She also encourages, for those longer layoff periods that call for more than pure rest, goal-setting \u2014 be it with flexibility or an aspect of technique or any other dancer skill. <\/p>\n

Sloan has experienced both longer and shorter layoffs, she shares \u2013 and, indeed, she approached them differently. At Ballet Tucson, the scheduling was typically four to five weeks on and four to five weeks off. She\u2019d do her best to take class during that period, but she also tried to prioritize making income at a second job. Another challenge was feeling like she was just getting her momentum really going when layoff came. Taking class during layoff did help her keep that momentum up, somewhat, she notes.<\/p>\n

At Mareck Dance (Missouri Contemporary Ballet when Sloan was dancing with the company), layoffs were longer. She even had Decembers off to fully celebrate the holidays with family and friends. The work was very athletic, and rehearsal periods had her called into the studio many hours a week, so that rest was quite welcome physically. Toward the ends of those periods, she did what she could to get those \u201cawkward phases out\u201d by getting back into class regularly. She knew that going from zero to full throttle wouldn\u2019t be good news. Sloan did all that in a way that acknowledged what her body needed at any particular time, she explains \u2013 thoughtfully calibrating the physical work at hand. \u201cTry to avoid an all-or-nothing mentality,\u201d she advises.   <\/p>\n

Evans details what helps her find that tricky rest\/activity balance during layoffs \u2013 but also is careful to note that it\u2019s what works well for her<\/em>. Everyone is different, and no one should feel pressure to do what anyone else is doing because it\u2019s the \u201cright\u201d way to do it (there really is no one \u201cright\u201d way!). She starts layoffs with at least one full day without any kind of physical activity \u2013 \u201ccoach potato day, soak it in.\u201d Doing Pilates and restorative movement in the days following that \u201cmakes [her] feel really good.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n
\"Kirsten<\/a>
Kirsten Evans. Photo by Jon Doucette.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

She also tries to catch a ballet class at least once a week during layoffs, and uses the opportunity to \u201cpush a little harder in these classes than I might if I were doing a full day of rehearsals after. This is your time to really work that technique and try to correct habits that a tired in-season body might not be up for tackling. Wear the pointe shoes, do the fouett\u00e9s!\u201d <\/p>\n

For cross-training, she has \u201ctried every cross-training workout from kickboxing to yoga to swimming, running, you name it\u201d \u2013 but has really taken to Pilates. In sessions with her trainer, they \u201cwork on any weaknesses or injuries [that she] might be experiencing, and just try to build up\u2026overall strength and stamina.\u201d She also practices the form independently, several times a week, to stay \u201caligned, lengthened and strong.\u201d <\/p>\n

All in all, \u201cI just try to live an active lifestyle when it feels good and rest when I need to,\u201d Evans says. \u201cI love walking for my mental health, and it has the added benefit of being pretty good for your body, too!\u201d She encourages trusting that the \u201cbody is smart and it knows what to do without controlling it all the time. Lean back a little and listen to your body; let it surprise you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sloan additionally encourages taking advantage of open studio time \u2013 if it might be available to you. Even if you just do a barre, that\u2019s something, she affirms. And, in her experience, doing a barre can often lead to doing center \u2013 maybe even a full class for yourself! \u201cJust get the ball rolling,\u201d she says, \u201cand make it fun!\u201d<\/p>\n

The mental and emotional: Taking care of yourself out of the studio <\/strong><\/p>\n

\n
\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Megan Wise with a dancer. Photo courtesy of Wise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Evans offers a cogent sharing of mental\/emotional challenges involved with layoffs. \u201cEarly on in my career, I viewed layoff periods mostly as a physical challenge. But with more experience, I realized the mental hurdles that come along with layoffs are just as steep — if not even more rigorous — to overcome. There’s this feeling of guilt that can come with taking time off, or even a fear that you could be missing out on an opportunity, or falling behind. But the truth is our bodies and minds need that time away to rest and reset.\u201d <\/p>\n

And that\u2019s not all that can challenge dancers mentally and emotionally during these periods. Decision-making over how to productively use your time can be a lot mentally, not to mention navigating factors like applying for unemployment or getting temporary work. On a deeper level, there\u2019s that dancer identity piece \u2013 \u201cwho even am I<\/em> if I\u2019m not dancing?\u201d<\/p>\n

Evans believes that what\u2019s sincerely helped her is a mindset of letting the \u201cdiscipline serve you, not overwhelm you.\u201c For example, she regularly takes class during layoffs, but she also doesn\u2019t \u201cstress too much about missing these if life presents me with an opportunity to travel or experience something I wouldn’t typically be able to say \u2018yes\u2019 to during a dancing season.\u201d She emphasizes how finding your <\/em>ideal experience \u201cis not linear. Try to give yourself grace. Try to have fun in the process!\u201d <\/p>\n

For that guilt piece, \u201cremember that experiencing life outside of the studio will fuel your performance onstage,\u201d Evans notes. \u201cThink of this as a time to expand your artistry.\u201d She also recommends discretion with social media use; say goodbye (unfollow, anything you need to do) to anything that makes you feel \u201cdevalued.\u201d Instead, shift your focus to being present. \u201cNotice how being away from your usual routine makes you feel, and really observe it,\u201d she advises.  <\/p>\n

Sloan also encourages that sense of being present. That can, furthermore, allow new ideas to blossom; creativity can truly flow when we\u2019re not in that daily grind. She describes how in those quiet moments, our first impulse can be to reach for our phones. Yet, it can be incredibly meaningful to take \u201ctime to be alone with our own thoughts.\u201d Time in nature can be quite helpful for that (and summer layoffs can bring wonderful weather!). Such introspection can be incredibly valuable. \u201cThe more you know yourself, the stronger artist you\u2019ll be,\u201d Sloan underscores. In alignment, Dr. Wise notes how long layoffs can be an opportunity to be \u201chuman first, dancer second\u201d \u2014 connecting with those parts of you that go much deeper than \u201cdancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
\"Caitlin<\/a>
Caitlin Sloan. Photo by LG Patterson.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Whatever happens, however your spend your layoff time, \u201cyou don\u2019t have to overthink it, you don\u2019t have to feel all that pressure,\u201d Dr. Wise reminds us. Just breathe through it and enjoy it, as best you can! Sloan also recommends letting yourself feel however you feel about layoffs. \u201cIt\u2019s okay if you love it, it\u2019s okay if you hate it.\u201d Let yourself experience joy and rest as well \u2013 because those are things are important, too. \u201cNot that things making you feel good even have <\/em>to be productive,\u201d she affirms with a smile. <\/p>\n

Finding the opportunity in adversity: How to leverage layoffs for growth<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, layoffs can come with a lot of challenge but also a lot of opportunity \u2014 discovering more of the world, as well as yourself, Evans notes. She names how dance \u201ccan be so all-consuming when you’re in it. You’re staring in the mirror analyzing your movement all day, every day, and it’s easy to forget how big the world is outside of the studio.\u201d Explore a dance style that\u2019s out of your typical genre, and even dig deeper into other art forms, such as going to concerts and plays, she suggests. Experience parts of life that call to you outside of the arts: from hiking to making ice cream to whatever that might be.<\/p>\n

Layoffs can also offer opportunities to cultivate relationships \u2013 especially those outside of your company and even outside of dance, something that Dr. Wise highly recommends. As an example of that, Evans tries \u201cto use [layoffs] as a time to say \u2018yes\u2019 to other things and spend more time being social with friends and family I don’t see as much during an on-season.\u201d Whatever it might be, take advantage of the time you now have \u2013 because it very well may not be there when you\u2019re back in the studio and the theater, she adds. There is \u201cso much to explore in the layoff period, so many ways to be involved in the world; it doesn\u2019t have to be a \u2018blah\u2019 time,\u201d Sloan affirms. <\/p>\n

On a more practical bent, Dr. Wise points out the ability to cultivate new skills with layoff periods \u2013 the sort that could lead to a post-performance career. \u201cYou\u2019re not going to be a performer forever,\u201d she reminds us. \u201cHobbies can also bring more to your craft [as a dancer],\u201d she adds. Yet, she\u2019s also careful to point out, trying new things doesn\u2019t have <\/em>to lead to new ways to make income (any kind of \u201cside business\u201d), or even make you a stronger artist; it\u2019s more than enough for it to bring you joy! \u201cPlay with something else, try something else, be a beginner at something!\u201d she urges. \u201cBeginner\u2019s mind can be vulnerable but also rewarding.\u201d<\/p>\n

How do we manage all of that potential? A lot of possibility, in and of itself, can bring that overwhelm that Evans describes. She suggests making plans, getting something on your calendar even before layoff starts. Echoing Dr. Wise, Sloan recommends making lists of things you like doing outside of dancing (watching movies, writing poetry, listening to music, anything at all!), as well as lists for media you want to take in (books to read, shows to watch, podcasts to listen to, for instance). <\/p>\n

\n
\"Dr.<\/a>
Dr. Megan Wise working with a dancer. Photo courtesy of Wise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

That approach can help you to jump right into those activities that help you experience the world, and learn more about yourself, rather than being stuck in \u201cOkay, I have this time, what do I do now?\u201d On the other end of the spectrum, another thing that can cause overwhelm \u2013 especially for goal-oriented dancers \u2013 is feeling like if you start something in your layoff period, you have <\/em>to finish it. Yet, Sloan calls that into question. \u201cJust start something<\/em> \u2013 just do one thing, and it\u2019ll come,\u201d she urges. <\/p>\n

Yet, another thing that can cause overwhelm in layoff periods is time stress, something Dr. Wise notes many performers do feel \u2014 this sense that there\u2019s so much to do in such a short amount of time until layoff ends. \u201cYet, there\u2019s an abundance of time!\u201d Dr. Wise says. Be open to how much time there really is<\/em> available when you\u2019re not in the studio, and \u2013 to the best of your ability \u2013 use it wisely, she urges. <\/p>\n

Sloan has some great words of wisdom to close us out. \u201cFind what you need to strike that balance. Remember that you do have a job to get back to. What do you need to do to recover but also get back to it? Remember also that it feels different every day for a dancer in class \u2013 sometimes you\u2019re really on your leg, feeling great, and sometimes you\u2019re not. That applies to layoffs, and to life! Every day can feel different. With being present and listening to yourself, what you need will start to become apparent.\u201d<\/p>\n

By Kathryn Boland of Dance Informa.<\/a> <\/p>\n

The post Navigating layoffs: The physical, mental, emotional and more<\/a> appeared first on Dance Informa Magazine<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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