Dancing is a very physical art form. And not having peace of mind can reflect on a dancer’s performance.
Dance practices go on for long hours. Missing essential items such as dance shoes or warm-up tools can be pretty stressful for most dancers.
Read on to know what the essentials in a dancer’s bag are.
● 6 Dance Bag Essentials
Here is a checklist of all the essentials that an individual needs to check for before leaving for class.
1. Shoes
The most important item in a dancer’s bag is their dance shoes. There are different types of shoes for different dance forms. You should carry proper dancing shoes as well as some casual shoes before class. For example- Pointe shoes are ideal for ballet class. They come in different materials- satin, leather and canvas. Each material changes the feel of the shoe.
No matter what shoe you’re buying, you should always look for shoes for their durability and according to your necessities.
2. Leotards and Tights
Most dancers arrive at class already clothed, but getting an extra leotard or pair of tights might come in handy. Rips and tears in tights are common. It’s useful to have a spare pair. Other clothing pieces that are absolutely necessary include:
- Leg warmers
- Long sleeve shirt
- Sweat pants
- Sweater/Light-weight zippered jacket
3. Snacks and Water
Have nutritious, ready-to-eat snacks on hand. Choose protein bars, vegetables, fruits, and dry fruits for healthy snacks. Also, keep a water bottle on hand at all times to stay hydrated. Carry a reusable bottle in your dancing bag and refill it whenever necessary.
4. First Aid Kit
Throughout their careers, more than 80% of dancers sustain severe injuries. Minor injuries are considerably more common.
A simple first-aid kit, band-aids, bandages, medical tape, pain medicine, antibiotic ointment, and crepe bandages can be stored in a dance bag for quick relief from minor injuries. This can make a big difference in the long term and prevent chronic injuries.
5. Personal Hygiene and Hair Care Products
Consider packing the following to ensure a less sweaty dance practice, or at the least, a less smelly one.
- Deodorant
- Breath fresheners
- Chapstick
- Hand sanitiser
- Perfume/cologne
- Tampons
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Towel
A tight hairdo is a primary requirement for ballet lessons. Carry a hairbrush, hairspray, some hairpins, and elastics for the perfect ballet bun.
Other dance forms may not have strict requirements for hairstyling, but it’s always helpful to have a few hair care items on hand, such as a brush or comb and a hair clutch.
6. Warm Up Tools
It is necessary to have specific tools in a dance bag that can treat the tension in the muscles when you have gone through intense dancing sessions. Stretching, exercising, and working out cramps and aches during downtime may significantly improve performance.
Some tools to carry around are:
- Resistance bands
- Small ball to roll under the feet
- Massage tools
Parting Thoughts
The most important thing for dance lessons is to have a sturdy bag that holds all of these things.
Dance lessons are an essential part of a dancer’s day. Thus, they need to have the highest quality items and backups.
Most importantly, carry only the essentials like dance shoes, first aid, and sustenance instead of overloading the bag. Once you are sure that you have all the essentials in one place, you are bound to perform outstandingly. After all, there is no substitute for peace of mind.
