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2nd blog from New Ambassador Kirsty Seddon

2nd blog from New Ambassador Kirsty Seddon

I started dancing for something fun to do, a way to stay healthy. I quickly learned that not only does dance help keep you healthy, it also helps your mental health.
There are some times that after work, I just want to go have a nap, but don’t because I have dance class. Sometimes it’s hard to get changed, go to class and put those ghillies on but boy do I feel better after class. Being around my dance friends, listening to the music and just dancing really makes you feel 100% better!
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When I started highland dance, I didn’t expect to fall in love with it and begin competing. It’s not easy to start competing at 29. Being in a 10 and over group or even an all ages group is daunting but I did it because I really love to dance. Becoming a premier dancer was was a whole new challenge. I found myself competing against people who had been dancing since before they were in school, or were a 7 time world champion! It’s hard, especially when you go from winning competitions in the pre-premier categories.
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I quickly learned that I had to set my own mini goals and not compare myself to others. Somedays that is hard, but let me tell you, writing little goals down in a book and bringing it to a competition and focusing on that really does help.
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This past weekend, I competed in the Nova Scotia closed provincial championships. I know that I am not a champion dancer and I’m ok with that My goal was to make it through the four dances and make corrections. I had my little notebook with goals for each dance. I told those goals to a few people that were there and went up on the stage and tried my hardest and guess what? I did it!! I made it through the dances, I made corrections and I came away with 5th runner up! I even managed to get some fourth place judges points! This came 3 years and one day after I tore an ankle ligament where I thought I might not be able to compete again, and while also dealing with a sore achilles.
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So basically what I’m saying is, it's not all about who wins, it’s about meeting those goals you set for yourself and having fun.
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Highland dancing isn’t easy. It takes a lot of stamina, precision and elegance and because of that, you do need to listen to your body.
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Some days, I practice with my sneakers/trainers on just to work on stamina so its not as hard on my feet, ankles and legs. Other days, I work on just technique (I’m still trying to perfect my half point when I actually do it in a dance). While you may not be jumping 100% of the time in your practice, every little thing you do helps, as long as you do it correctly.
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If there’s one piece of advice I can give people when practicing, its to stretch and/or foam roll after your practice. Listen to your body! It’s the only one you’ve got! Actually a second piece of advice I have, which is not just connected to practice, is to believe in yourself.
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If you go up on stage with the belief that you can do it and with your head held high, you will walk away happy and proud!

Kirsty xx


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