The Beauty of What We Repeat

When life feels overwhelming, the one place I know I can always turn to is dance class. Teaching or taking class has always been my safe space. It’s where I can move my body, release my emotions, and let go—without needing to say a single word. The simple act of moving through the structure of class calms the weight of the day and clears away the noise.

That’s the beauty of dance: its rituals. From the moment we step into the studio, we know what’s coming. Warm-ups. Across-the-floor. Center work. Choreography. Yes, the combinations and songs may change, but the flow remains the same. It’s a rhythm that has been with me since I was five years old, and it’s still what steadies me now.

For our kids, that structure means even more. The predictability of class helps regulate their nervous systems. They know they’ll see their teacher, their friends, and they know the steps they’ll take together. That consistency provides comfort while giving them the freedom to express whatever’s inside—whether it’s something big from school that day or something as small as itchy socks. The dance floor cares about it all, and the body has a way of working it out.

Rituals in dance aren’t just about repetition; they’re about transformation. Within the safety of the familiar, dancers get to explore something new each time—maybe stretching a little further, turning a little sharper, or letting a different emotion move through them. And in that repetition, kids learn not just steps, but resilience. They learn that it’s okay to show up as they are, and that moving through the routine will always bring them back to center.

That’s why I believe dance can be for everyone. It doesn’t matter if the placement is perfect. What matters is the expression, the practice, the way repetition creates space for growth and release. There’s beauty in what we repeat—and in the way those rituals give our dancers (and us as parents and teachers) a sense of belonging, peace, and joy.