Diving into HSE Dance
 - Katya Belichenko.jpg "Diving into HSE Dance")
Have you ever heard of such an abbreviation as HSE Dance? Perhaps, you’ve heard it a gazillion times, but never thought of its so-called «inside life». I’m here to make a little excursion and dive into the versatile HSE Dance team and its existence. Intrigued?
For the soul
HSE Dance has various sides: a team, a family, a source of inspiration. My close friend and the only man in the team Danil candidly claims that it’s a safe space to exchange experience and grow together. Sofa, one of the choreographers, expressed it this way:
For me, the team is my greatest pride. Everything associated with it from the creative process to the participants. I don’t know how to fully express my sincere love, but somewhere deep down, I have already crossed out my past achievements because the team overshadows everything.
I completely agree with my team members and I am eager to describe exactly how we’re developing our dancing skills and clearing the way for shared success.
In search of the perfection
Obviously, hard work is a key to success. We have four training sessions scheduled per week and two optional if we are preparing for some competition. The training process includes various physical activities: rehearsals, exercises building strength, stretching and, the most exciting one – acrobatics. Actually, I'm kidding: it sounds aesthetic and exciting, but in reality, it's difficult and painful during the classes. Acrobatics requires courage, stamina и flexibility. However, we are working towards our goal and gradually improving, because there is nothing impossible in this world if you put in some effort. So everything aimed at becoming multifunctional universal dancers which are valued the most nowadays.
Team’s leaders and motivators
A team is always in need of a strong choreographer who is able to reveal the talent of each member and lead the whole group in the right flourishing direction. In fact, we are very lucky to have two leaders/trainers – Sofa and Nika. Two brilliant, caring and responsible people who work for the common good and inspire everyone to be as productive as possible. They are in favor of the idea to take part in different competitions and performances.
But what exactly do they do? Firstly, they hold weekly training sessions where they teach new choreography to various popular tracks. Secondly, they gather and organize the entire team, ensuring that everyone develops evenly and at the same pace. Thirdly, Sofa and Nika are constantly searching for competitions and events where we can perform and gain experience, as well as enjoy nice bonuses in the form of medals and prizes.
Challenges during training process
Undoubtedly, we face a huge number of difficulties and problems during intense training sessions. Dancers studying at HSE have it doubly hard because they have to balance heavy academic loads with significant physical exertion. It is always challenging to find the perfect time for training and accommodate everyone. The next difficulty is the risky acrobatic elements that our choreographers decided to include in the routine. Of course, they look spectacular on stage, but in reality, they are very challenging and even dangerous. Recently, one of our girls executed a move poorly and got injured. Such incidents are rare but have a long lasting effect. Another difficulty that sometimes arises is misunderstandings within the team. This is an inevitable process because we are all creative and emotional people, and our principles and ideas do not always align. We may argue, trying to convince each other that a certain move looks unattractive and needs to be changed immediately! But the most important thing is that in this debate, the perfect product is born — a choreography that everyone loves.
Our latest performances and adventures
Our tours to various championships started relatively recently. For the first six months, we actively cleaned and perfected our choreography to ensure it was worthy of a public performance. Once the choreography was ready, we received several enticing offers. The first was to go to Korolev for the Winter Cheerleading Championship and perform in the adult category. This offer seemed appealing because we were promised a cheerleading rank in case of a victory. Without much hesitation, we agreed, especially since the idea of visiting Korolev on an ordinary Sunday morning sounded very convincing!
However, when Sunday arrived, and we had to spend an hour getting to Korolev on a terrifying train with a lot of bags, the idea didn't seem so great anymore. Now imagine a gloomy city through which you navigate to the dance center... And this center turns out to be full of screaming, running, and dancing children and parents: an atmosphere not for the faint-hearted. In the end, all the preparations took us an entire day; we were doing our makeup in a stairwell, dancing and rehearsing outside, but at least we were all together. That’s what truly unites a team!
The performance went smoothly; we gave it our all and took first place! Our hard work was appreciated, and it was the most pleasant way to end the evening. Of course, the next day we received a detailed hour-long review of our performance from our dedicated choreographers, but on that Sunday evening, we enjoyed our triumph.
The next performance at the "Cast Iron Egg" at HSE went more than perfectly. The thunderous applause, the shouts from the audience, and the shining eyes of every team member. That’s what truly makes a performance bright: energy, emotions, and the joy of dancing!
Join us! There are a lot of such reasons are provided from health benefits to social ones:
Physical Benefits: Engaging in dance promotes cardiovascular health, enhances muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility, and aids in weight management. It has been shown to lower the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes while improving overall physical fitness. Regular participation in dance can also enhance coordination, balance, and spatial awareness, contributing to better motor skills and reduced risk of falls, particularly in older adults.
Mental and Cognitive Benefits: Dancing fosters cognitive skills such as memory, attention, and problem-solving through the coordination of movements and rhythm. The act of learning dance routines stimulates brain activity, promoting neuroplasticity and overall cognitive function. Furthermore, dancing serves as an effective stress reliever, enabling individuals to express emotions creatively while releasing endorphins that enhance mood and alleviate anxiety.
Social and Emotional Benefits (last but not the least). The communal aspect of dancing fosters a sense of belonging and improves social skills, which are vital for mental health. I can assure you that our team members are the most caring, kind, and vibrant people with whom you will definitely find common ground and develop your social skills.
Tips for «dancing beginners»
I have been dancing, I guess, since my birth and have gained a solid amount of experience. I a, eager to share with you my dancing insights that, hopefully, will help you find your path.
- Choose a Dance Style That Excites You: Explore various dance styles, such as ballet, hip hop, salsa, or contemporary, to find what resonates with you.
- Invest in the Right Gear: Depending on the style you choose, appropriate clothing and footwear are essential.
- Practice Regularly: Consistency is key in dance. Establish a routine that includes practice time outside of classes, even if it's just for a few minutes each day.
- Ditch Comparisons: Focus on your own progress rather than comparing yourself to others. Everyone learns at their own pace, so concentrate on your goals and celebrate your achievements.
- Be Patient and Enjoy the Process: Learning to dance is a journey that takes time. Embrace the learning process, be patient with yourself, and enjoy every step along the way.
- Prioritize Fun: Ultimately, dancing is about enjoyment and expression. Make sure to have fun while learning, as this will keep you engaged and passionate about dancing.
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