Returning to Dance Class After a Long Break (Part II): 10 Ways to Make Your Comeback Successful

You’ve made the decision to return to dance class… now what?

In this follow-up to Part I, I’m walking you through (almost) everything you can do to make your return to class successful — before and after you've stepped inside the studio.

From researching the right teachers to finding a studio that actually supports your comeback (hello, proper warm-ups), to what to wear, what to bring, and how to build momentum that sticks — I’ve got you.

Whether you’ve been gone for months, years, or decades, this episode is full of smart, science-backed tips (and personal anecdotes) to help you return with confidence and stay consistent.

🎧 Press play and let’s set you up for success.

Studies mentioned in show (in order of appearance):

1. International Association for Dance Medicine & Science (IADMS). 
2. James Clear. "Atomic Habits."
3. Bandura, A. (1997). "Self-Efficacy: The Exercise of Control."
4. Matthews, G. (2007). "The Impact of Commitment, Accountability, and Written Goals on Goal Achievement." Dominican University of California.

Check out my ⁠Return to Dance docuseries!⁠

Support my Instagram — where I post daily dance inspo, insights and fun! ⁠@backtogreat

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Welcome to "Hey, Dancer."

(00:04):
I am your host, Miller Daurey, and this week we are going to pick up right where we left
off.
You see, last week, I give you tips on how to ease back into Dan's glass before you even
stepped foot in the studio.
You know that, like, in-between phase where you've made the decision, I think I might
want to go back to Dan's, but, you know, you haven't gotten that far yet.

(00:25):
So anyway, if you missed the episode, I highly recommend you go check it out.
We talked prep work, mental, physical, emotional, you know, the stuff that really sets you
up for success.
But now you've done that stuff, and you're ready to take class.
So now what do you do?
Let's talk about how to make that return really successful.

(00:46):
By the way, in the event you haven't yet, please follow my podcast or subscribe wherever
you're watching or listening and rate, review, and comment and like the video.
Thanks so much.
It goes a long way.
Now let's get to it.
So let's begin with homework.
You got to do a little bit of homework, you know, before you sign up for a class, I would

(01:06):
recommend to take some time and do some research on studios nearby, on the teachers at those
studios.
Basically my best suggestion is to go on Instagram and just scroll through the feed of the studio
of the teachers are the classes built around progression and training, or is it mostly high-speed

(01:28):
combinations and endless counts of eight in performance clips with cameras and fancy lights,
you know, are there reviews and testimonials and even comments under those posts on the
websites on Google that give you clues maybe about whether a teacher prioritizes growth,
technique and inclusivity, or is it just about, you know, creating footage that is kind of

(01:49):
flashy?
You know, that matters a lot when you're returning from a long break.
I remember when I was at Millennium's certificate program and taking 10 to 12 classes a week
and there were just so many teachers to choose from.
And the studio director, Jen, who I really adored, we had these one-on-one meetings, you know,
every week and I would fill her in on my progress and my thoughts and I was a very transparent.

(02:12):
And I remember in the beginning, she and other people like the work studies who worked the front
desk and even students in class, I became friends with.
Everybody suggested, go to Instagram, you know, this is where you will, you know, find the
teachers and see their choreography.
You know, you can get a really good idea of the classes, of the vibe.

(02:33):
Is it right for you, you know?
Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, my God, that class you can tell, it's like way too fast, the way the choreography is, you know what that hip hop class feels like it's kind of my vibe.
Anyway, that research really helped me build a schedule that really served to me, not one that overwhelmed me.
I also might recommend to look really closely and tentally at what the dancers are wearing, even some ballet classes.

(02:59):
Sometimes it's like the vibe is just a baggy clothes and you're the one walking in with tights. It's like, huh, interesting.
I wish I would have known that before, but if you did your research and you looked at the videos, then you would have.
Yeah, for hip hop, you know, you'll probably be fine with loose breathable clothes and sneakers.
But what about a jazz class?
That is a lot trickier.

(03:20):
At some studios, like there's one locally where I live called Timily, you probably have seen a lot of their footage on social media.
I have a very recognizable aesthetic, these particular lights in the background and stuff.
I remember taking my first jazz class there and just being mortified.
Like my jazz shoes didn't work in all of my tricks, right?
Like a wet rag and raws and spray.

(03:41):
And I'm not a dancer, a jazz dancer who will do the barefoot thing and the sock thing.
And then I just kind of looked around.
And it was like, oh wow, everybody here is either barefoot or in sneakers.
But my sneakers were actually really not built for dance at all.
Anyway, my point is is that if I had done my due diligence and paid attention to their jazz classes that Timily posted online,

(04:06):
I would have seen zero jazz shoes.
Nobody wears darn jazz shoes at that studio because you can't.
And I started to have this antennae, I guess you might say for it.
Every jazz class I saw Timily post, the majority of students wore sneakers.
And then I began to see like the brands of sneakers because if you're a dancer, you know that not every sneaker works on every studio floor.

(04:32):
You want that right blend of gripping and slipping.
You know you want to be able to do a pirouette at least and sometimes you can't because there's so much resistance.
So it's got to be the right sneaker.
I'm like, oh, okay.
And I'm watching their videos and I'm zooming in.
I'm scaling in.
Okay, this person is wearing this particular adidas and they got three pirouettes.
Oh my gosh, I bet those are pretty good sneakers to wear.
Like it sounds silly maybe but the more prepared you walk into a class, they're better off you're gonna be even down to the shoes or no shoes.

(05:02):
What is the energy like?
You can grab a lot from that video footage is the room seemingly encouraging or intimidating.
The recommendation I have in this area is to call the studio. I mean, I've done this before quite a few times and teamily being another example.
I remember once I called them after this horrible jazz class experience and the person who picked up the phone was like, oh yeah, yeah, no.

(05:28):
Like our studio floors, she mentioned the particular kind of wood or something and then no bounce.
I forgot but she said no, like, you know, yeah, people don't wear jazz shoes here.
Or I might say, hey, do you know if this teacher does a lot of floor work?
I mean, I normally bring my knee pads but to be honest right now I'm not really feeling floor work.
And the thing is is that the people working the front desk are almost always dancers who almost always take these classes.

(05:55):
They're very good resources for you.
So take advantage of that and they want to talk to you.
You know, they're kind of, you know, they're all day and in between classes, they may be a little bit bored.
So, oh, TIT, before you call, make sure you look at their schedule and you probably want to call like 20 minutes before a class begins or after a class starts, you know.
So not right when a class is starting, okay?

(06:17):
This is about being prepared and reducing excuses.
I'll get into that in a second because, you know, the less hurdles you have starting out, the more likely you are to keep showing up.
And yeah, speaking of being prepared, let's talk warm-ups.
I mean, if you've been away from class for a while, warm-ups aren't optional.
I'm sorry, but they're not. They're essential.
Your body just needs time to get reacquainted with dance again.

(06:41):
I mean, I think, you know, a long good warm-up is like mandatory regardless, but especially if you're returning after a long break, hiatus, right?
According to the International Association for Dance Medicine and Science, proper warm-ups reduce injury risk and improve performance, especially for dancers returning after time off.

(07:03):
They recommend warm-ups that are at least 10 to 15 minutes long, gradually increase in intensity and include dynamic movement to wake up the muscles and joints.
So as your researching classes and studios look for signs that a real warm-up is built into the structure.
It shouldn't just be a few head rolls and isolations and a quick stretch, which I promise you is kind of what happens in most classes these days, at least here in Los Angeles.

(07:30):
You want a teacher who takes the prep seriously because your body deserves that kind of care, especially right now, as you're returning to dance.
And I can't tell you how many times I have de-embed the teachers myself. I don't care. I reach out. I'm like, hey, this is my story. I keep it. I truncate it.
I try to make it as short as possible and give a little bit of information, a little bit of intel and just say, hey, do you think your class is right for me or what do you do when it comes to XYZ?

(07:59):
And almost every time the teacher responds.
Teachers, for the most part, want students to show up prospective students and feel really comfortable.
And the teacher wants to know that that student feels the class is right for them because nobody wants to teach a class to somebody who isn't looking for what they have to give, you know?
Okay, now let's talk about proximity. It might sound basic, it might sound silly, but oh my gosh, it's not choosing a studio, choosing classes that are close to home or work, or wherever you spend the most of your time, dramatically increases the likelihood that you'll actually go and show up.

(08:38):
And here's why that matters. Behavioral science consistently shows that reducing friction makes habits easier to stick with in atomic habits of very popular book by James Clear.
It's great. I've read it a few times. Explains how minimizing the number of steps between you and your goal increases the chances that you're going to follow through.

(09:00):
That includes shorter travel time, fewer scheduling hurdles, and even more convenient class times. It's all part of it. Even something like a 10-minute shorter commute can impact how you show up.
I remember when I first returned to dance, and I couldn't find any adult studios near me, like none that offered like really good training, right?

(09:22):
There was one studio, but it was for kids and teenagers, and I had to call them and I had to show up and take meetings with their owner. Anyway, long story short, and if you want to check it out, by the way, it's in my return to dance docu-series.
Link is below, but I was the only, the first adult they allowed to take classes with their kids and teens. I was that persistent.

(09:44):
I was that persistent, not just in that trying to find a studio that had the proper training I needed, but also one that wasn't so far away.
And then it actually didn't quite work out. You'll see why if you go and check out the episode. The point is, as I did my due diligence, and I knew going in proximity, especially after a full day at the office, would make a huge difference in my success.

(10:09):
Now the same thing goes for cost. You know, if a class feels like a splurge, you may hesitate next time. You know, look for packages, look for deals, you know, or memberships that work with your budget. So class becomes sustainable, not some financial guilt trip, you know?
Now also one of my tips here, start in your wheelhouse. You know, pick the style that's your go to the one you're most comfortable in.

(10:34):
I mean, I'm all about cross training as in, you know, taking as many styles as possible in the more versatile you are, the better, a dancer you are, of course, of course, of course. I'm all for challenging yourself. But this is your first class, your first weeks back after a long break, you know, let it be in a style where your body already knows a thing or two.

(10:55):
This will help you build confidence fast. And also, you know, confidence is, I think one of the first things, period that you want to build, you know, because you want to stay in class. And if your confidence is shook immediately, the less likely you aren't to keep showing up, speaking of that, drop a level. That's my next tip.
You know, I know you're a good dancer, you've had a break, but you know, if you were advanced hip hop, don't go right back to advance hip hop, start a level or two down. Trust me on this, especially if you've been out for quite a while, oh my gosh, are you kidding? Because building confidence is just as important as rebuilding technique.

(11:38):
The largest Albert Benderer's research on self-efficacy, the belief in your ability to succeed shows that mastery experiences are the most effective way to rebuild confidence. Basically, when you do something well, your brain logs that win and starts believing in you again.
If your first class back feels too hard, your brain might register that as a failure, which chips away at your motivation. But if you have a class where you keep up, even if it feels too easy, that win rewires your brain.

(12:15):
You start thinking, I can do this. I mean, it's been a while, but look at me go. And then your brain starts looking for proof that you're right. That's confirmation bias working for you.
So, hey, I mean, ego aside, if it's been a while, try a foundational or a basic class, even beginner level, whatever, let yourself succeed. Let your brain catch up and remember, I belong here.

(12:41):
This might be where you take some classes online, dip your feet into some choreo from the privacy of your own home, which I know I talked about in my last episode. This could be a really good way to build confidence before you actually go back into the studio.
Now, speaking of building, I know I've used that word a lot here, build your support system. Okay, say hi to someone in class. Make a friend, compliment, you know, their sneakers. I've talked a lot about shoes, I guess so far. Follow dancers on social media who also take that class.

(13:14):
You know, oh, I want to take this class. Let me go to IG. Well, look at these people commenting. I think I'll deem them. I'll reply. I'll let them know like I want to show up too. Make friends. Why not build your dance community? I mean, it makes a huge difference in showing up and sticking around.
Another tip, pack the essentials to class, right? Water, towel, knee pads, snacks, whatever your thing is, it sounds basic, but those little things make you feel like, like you belong there again. You know, you're prepared, you're back.

(13:49):
Okay, you made it to the final tip, and that is accountability. Yep, find a dance buddy. Maybe it's somebody you just met online, like we just talked about, or maybe it's an OG dance bestie.
I don't care who it is, set a date and go together. Or hey, if you prefer to go alone, go alone, I totally get it because that's me. My point is tell someone your best friend, your partner, your parents, your kids, your siblings, your social media followers, whatever. Let somebody know, hi, hello, I'm taking class this week.

(14:21):
And then ask them to check in on you because accountability works in a well-known study from Dr. Gail Matthews at Dominican University participants who shared their goals with a friend and had regular check-ins, had a 76% success rate in following through.
And then, compared to just 43% for those who kept their goals all to themselves, that is a huge jump. You can't deny it. So whether you say it in a DM or in a group chat or speak it out loud, let someone root for you. Sometimes, that's all it takes to get you back in the studio.

(14:56):
That's all I got for today. If you enjoyed this episode, do me a favor. Hey, do your dance fam a favor and spread the word, share it and follow, subscribe, like, and it just all means a lot. Leave a comment.
I'd love to know your thoughts on this. What are your tips for prepping for dance class? You know, finding the right studio or the right teachers or, you know, what to wear, all that stuff.

(15:19):
Do you think I think things through too much or are you like, no, no, these are actually really good tips. Sometimes, and I am one of these people at times, you can get two stuff. You can get too much into the overthinking. Call it the Virgo side of me.
You know, sometimes just show up. Like, yeah, do your due diligence. Maybe a little bit of research, like I said, but just know you and your patterns.

(15:41):
Don't spend, don't make the prep time be longer than it needs to be. And you know, maybe this, maybe this is the final tip. I didn't even know as my final tip. Give yourself a deadline talking about accountability.
Part of that should be deadlines. Tell your people, your friend, your followers, whatever. Hey, I'm gonna, I want to get to class and I want to do it before X date.

(16:05):
And, you know, make sure that, you know, they follow through with you and you follow through with them that they check in with you because you don't want to get so stuck into the habit of like prepping for class and getting everything so perfect that that just becomes the noble obstacle.
And you never actually even show up to class. So give yourself a deadline. And in my experience, a self-imposed deadline that nobody is really, you know, aware of doesn't do a whole lot.

(16:32):
Like, this is where again, the accountability thing kicks in. Have people know your deadline so that they can check in on you and you're much more likely to follow through when you've spoken about it to a friend, publicly, whatever it is.
Okay? I hope this all helps and I'll see you next time.
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