In today's article, I interview my sweet Dance Teacher, Diana Postolea about Dance's correlation with mental and physical wellbeing.
Diana is a 3rd-year University student majoring in Fashion Design. She is a former dancer who used to compete and her passion for dance is vibrant and contagious with each class we take.
Since we met, her kindness and positivity radiated immediately, allowing me to comfortably pursue my dream of starting dance lessons without feeling shy or silly. Dance is an activity I have been wishing to experience for a prolonged period of time, and I am grateful to say that I have been able to start it as an attempt to get back in shape post-surgery.
She has calmed down all of the nerves I was subject to because of the lack of exercise I have had up until our classes, with the intention of preventing any complications with my medical procedure and recovery.
Thanks to her, every time I show up for our classes, my fast-paced mindest and life take a pause, and I can fully stay in the moment, and ignore any stressors or worries that can take a toll on my optimism.
On June 18th of 2023, Diana and our all-girls Dance team competed in our first Dance Competition at the 2023 Bucharest Dance Festival!
Question 1: How long have you been a dancer and dance teacher, and what ages do you work with?
Answer: My love for dance began at the age of 9. As I grew older, I laid the foundations of my profession as a dancer and dance teacher. I shared the experience I had gained until then with other people. Later, I attended courses at the Bucharest Popular School of Arts, which led me to obtain a choreographer's diploma. With 12 years of experience as a dancer and 6 years as a dance teacher, I am passionate about teaching and sharing my knowledge and skills with others. I work with children of all ages, from kindergarteners up to teenagers.
Question 2: How do you balance the demands of being a university student and a dance teacher? How does your experience in clothing design influence your teaching style?
Answer: It's easy to find the balance between two things that bring you joy. Being an art student can be confusing at times, but it also keeps you in the loop, connected to what people and beauty mean. It is very similar in dance, when you share ideas with other people, through the various ways of making others understand your vision. Sometimes you are not on the same wavelength, but you always adapt your teaching method according to each person. As for the relationship between dance, teaching, and clothes, I can say that they are closely intertwined. The way you dress substantially influences your mood. Both in dance and in everyday life, the "look" and the right outfit you adopt gives you confidence, and makes you more aesthetically pleasant in front of others.
Question 3: Can you share with us your personal connection and relationship with dance? What drew you to this art form and why did you decide to become a dance teacher?
Answer: My first interaction with dance was when I was 7 years old, doing sports dances for about a year or less. This love story between this dance and I (that forces you to a strict posture) didn't last long because my mother told me that I was not suitable at all for this type of dance. Of course, at the time when I was 7 years old, hip-hop was not well known at the national level, hence the lack of dance studios that enabled you to practice this style of dance more freely.
Due to the artistic inclination that I had from a very young age, I desired to be on stage, and to express myself in front of others. In the 3rd grade, I founded a dance group that was meant to fulfill my classmates and my childhood dream of being in the spotlight. Of course, this didn't last for long either because we didn't have someone older who could supervise, encourage, and mediate us when we had differences in the team. Thanks to social media promoting the hip-hop genre, I had the pleasure of enrolling in the most wonderful street dance group any 9-year-old child could be a part of. In this group, thank the heavens, I spent my childhood and adolescence.
Thanks to the people there, it was a memorable experience, fun, full of moments loaded with a life lesson, good or bad. Due to the fact that I already had many years of dancing behind me, I reached the age of 14 and entered adolescence (where we all know how easily you can get bored if you don't constantly diversify), I was helped and encouraged to be able to teach other souls who want to step into dance studios.
Question 4: Can you discuss the role of self-confidence and self-esteem in dance, and how you foster these qualities in your students?
Answer: Confidence and self-esteem are vital characteristics for a professional dancer, and vice versa, they are characteristics that any dance beginner will develop over time.
Question 5: Could you share some examples of how you've helped students overcome mental or physical challenges to excel in dance?
The connection between a teacher and a student is crucial for success in dance. As a teacher, I prioritize building friendly and loving relationships with my students, and these values of mine are reflected in my classes. I believe that a friendship-based relationship between a teacher and a student is necessary for the growth and development of both parties. Empathy is the key feature of this relationship, which helps to foster understanding and support between the teacher and student.
Question 6: Can you discuss the relationship between dance and body image, and how you address any related concerns among your students?
Answer: In all my classes, I prioritize encouraging and supporting my students to feel confident and comfortable in their own skin, especially when they're in the dance studio. I make it clear to them that judging others is not acceptable, hence another circumstance where empathy is exhibited as a crucial aspect of this profession. By creating a relaxed and welcoming environment, I aim to help even the most timid students feel at ease and enjoy their dancing experience.
Question 7: What are some key life skills that students can learn through dance, and how do you foster their development in your classes?
Answer: As mentioned earlier, dance lessons can help students learn empathy, an important trait for their personal and professional growth. In group choreographies, effective communication and understanding between colleagues are essential for an excellent performance. Dance classes can also boost students' self-confidence as they become comfortable in their own skin and learn to move their bodies in a way that creates aesthetic harmony. Along with empathy and self-confidence, dance lessons also help students develop teamwork skills, perseverance, and patience. Although some dance moves may be challenging to learn, with time and concentration, students can acquire them. In my opinion, dance is a complete sport that shapes students' personalities, making them more confident, relaxed, and cheerful.
Question 8: How do you handle performance anxiety among your students, and what strategies do you use to help them build confidence?
Answer: When performing in front of an audience, it's common to feel stressed and nervous. One effective way to overcome the aforementioned is to freestyle. As a teacher, I often encourage my shy students to let their bodies move freely, without worrying about their next move. This helps them have fun and feel more comfortable within themselves.
Question 9: In your opinion, what are the most important qualities a dance teacher should possess, particularly when it comes to supporting the mental and physical well-being of their students?
Answer: At the moment, I think that the answer to this question has already taken shape, considering the qualities that dancing itself helps you to develop. Besides stamina, flexibility, and coordination, which are the physical skills necessary for dancing, a teacher must first of all be the student's friend. To be understanding when needed and firm when the situation demands it. To know how to reward a bright student, whilst being able to stimulate a more reluctant one. Everything depends on caring for people and the determination to make them push their limits. Obviously, we must not forget personal experience in the field, but this is probably self-evident đ
Special shoutout to TimothĂ©e Chala-mala-bing-bong for the cameo! Thought he matched the street style aesthetic with his iconic choreography. (if you know, you know) đ
Before concluding, I would like to thank Diana once again from the bottom of my heart for being such a positive figure in my dance journey thus far, and for taking the time to pursue this interview. If you'd like to follow Diana, you can find her on Instagram @dianaarble
This interview was published in honor of World Mental Health Day, October 10th, 2023. Please make sure to take care of yourself and find avenues for passion that foster your well-being, and creativity and allow you to flourish physically, emotionally, intellectually, spiritually, academically, etc. You are loved, appreciated, and respected and your thoughts and feelings matter.
I really hope you enjoyed the first Wholesome interview, and if you have any suggestions to improve, I would love to see what feedback you have for me! Please leave me a comment at the end of this article to let me know what you think, and thank you to those of you who have already shared your thoughts with me via the comment feature or privately.
Sending virtual hugs and lots of happiness your way! 𧞠đ» đ€Ș
How long have you been a dancer and dance teacher, and what ages do you work with?
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