Why I Created a Dance Planner (And Why Every Dancer Needs One)

In school, we’re taught the value of taking notes. We write things down during lectures to help us remember what was said, especially when it’s time to study for a test. It’s a simple, effective habit that turns fleeting moments of learning into lasting knowledge.

But in dance, things are different.

We’re constantly moving—physically and mentally. Class is fast-paced, and there’s often no time to pause, grab a notebook, and jot something down. We leave the studio sweaty, tired, and mentally full from all the corrections, combinations, and challenges we just experienced. And then life resumes: homework, family, friends, life.

Before we know it, much of what we learned in class begins to fade.

Then the next week rolls around, and class starts again. You hear the same correction from your teacher: “Don’t forget to pull up through your standing leg!” It hits you—Oh right, they told me that last week too. Maybe even the week before. Eventually, that correction does get fixed, but it takes longer than it needs to. Why? Because you didn’t have a system to hold onto what you learned.

A Simple Habit That Changes Everything

What if you took just 10 minutes after class to reflect and write down the key takeaways? The corrections you received, the combinations you struggled with, the moments you felt most confident or confused, the moments that you were proud of, the thing you need to work on at home? And what if, before your next class, you took five minutes to read over your notes from the week before?

That tiny routine—15 minutes total—could dramatically change the trajectory of your dance journey.

Instead of relearning the same things over and over, you’d show up ready to grow. You’d come to class with those past corrections fresh in your mind, more likely to implement them the first time. Your teacher notices the progress, and now they have space to offer you new insights, more advanced feedback, deeper challenges. That’s when real growth happens.

It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being intentional.

Why Not Just Use an App?

Let’s be honest—our phones aren’t always the most focused tools.

These days, we have an app for everything. It’s tempting to use our phones to track notes, especially with so many productivity tools out there. But especially for young dancers (and, let’s face it, adults too), picking up your phone often leads to an accidental scroll through social media. You start off with the best intentions—just going to jot down a quick note—and suddenly, 30 minutes have gone by. A push message from TikTok or Instagram lured you in, and now class feels like a distant memory.

That’s why I knew my dance planner needed to be physical.

There’s something grounding about pen and paper. Holding a book in your hands, flipping through your own writing, seeing your progress laid out across pages—it’s powerful. It removes the distractions and brings your focus exactly where it should be: on your growth as a dancer.

What’s Inside Matters

This isn’t just a blank notebook.

I designed the planner specifically with dancers in mind. There are sections for:

• Corrections from each class

• Things to work on at home

• Short and long term goals

• Reflections on how you felt physically and mentally

• Notes on rehearsals, auditions, or performances

  
  

It’s structured enough to guide you, but open enough to fit your personal style and needs. Whether you’re a ballet dancer, contemporary mover, competition dancer, or just starting your journey—it’s for you.

Building a Stronger Connection to Your Craft

Dance is more than movement. It’s art. It’s expression. It’s a discipline that asks us to be fully present in our bodies, and also deeply connected in our minds. When we write things down—when we reflect—we deepen that connection.

The dance planner isn’t about perfection or pressure. It’s about awareness. It’s about helping dancers build habits that support their growth. Habits that respect the hard work happening in the studio and give it a place to live outside of it.

So if you’ve ever left class thinking, “What was that correction again?” or felt frustrated hearing the same note more than once—this is your solution. It’s a tool designed to guide you to an organized and successful dance journey. 

Final Thoughts

As dancers, we spend hours training our bodies. But the truth is, the dancers who really stand out are the ones who train their minds just as much. A planner may seem simple, but it’s a powerful way to take control of your learning, track your progress, and accelerate your growth.

You don’t need hours of extra work. Just 10 minutes of writing after class, and 5 minutes of reviewing before the next one.

Small habit. Big results.

That’s the reason I created this dance planner—and why I believe every dancer deserves one.

📒 Ready to use the planner? Find it here in your preferred language:– English version– Nederlandse versie

https://amzn.to/4jVGcut

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