Have you ever had that day at practice where you feel like you just keep blanking on that combo? Or maybe you feel like you have it done, but you are having to run through every 8-count over and over again. Don’t stress, this is more normal than you would think (and there are ways to improve it). This is where the muscle memory comes in. Muscle memory is what allows you to dance freely and confidently. Your transition will look smooth, everything will flow, and you will just know what you are doing. It is something you have to train throughout your dance career.
Understand What Muscle Memory Really Is
Muscle memory is a bit misleading. It has everything to do with your mind and nothing to do with your muscles. When you focus on repeating a movement over and over, you strengthen the neural pathways connected to that movement. Each pathway relies on repetition. Eventually, your body will subconsciously know what to do since it has practiced it so much. This is why consistent, regular practice is more successful than fresh, newly learned choreography. Your brain needs time and repetition to really lock those moves in.
Slow It Down Before You Speed It Up
Rushing through choreography to learn it faster is a common mistake. When your brain is moving faster than it should, your body has more chances to mess up the choreography. Slowing things down gives your brain a chance to analyze all the movements so you can perform them correctly. The result of this is the graceful, easy-looking moves that give dance stage presence. Bring it up to normal speed, and your brain is going to know exactly how and when to perform each movement.
Practice Without the Mirror
Mirrors are great for learning new choreography, but they can become a crutch. Your brain gets used to pairing the visual of your reflection with the moves instead of memorizing the feeling of each move through your body. Try closing your eyes throughout the choreography or even facing away from the mirror. This will help train your brain to trust your body too. That sensory awareness strengthens deeper muscle memory which will make you a better performer.
