If you choose a life of professional dance, it might worry you that many dancers retire in their late thirties.

So how do some dancers keep performing into their fifties and beyond? Good question. Now is the time to ask it.

The Secrets to Long-Standing Success

Backstage.com’s feature “Staying on Your Toes” offered interviews with several older dancers. These veterans revealed their secrets for staying on stage in the perpetually youthful world of professional dance.

Many of these tips are things dancers should consider while they’re still young. Here’s an outline of their advice:

Stay Healthy

Hydrate properly. Pay attention to what you eat. (Read up on nutrition and the dietary needs of dancers.) Remember: the longer your body lasts, the longer you’ll dance.

Take Injuries Seriously

Remember that injuries cause lasting damage, especially if you don’t allow yourself to heal properly. After suffering an injury, take the time to recover. And, make good use of physical therapists. As a dancer, you might think that you know your body best, but these doctors will help you get back on stage in the safest way. And if an injury imposes limitations on your body, accept those limitations and find creative ways to perform safely.

To prevent injuries, add cross-training to your schedule.

Reduce Stress

Don’t let performances and pressure run you down. Dance is your profession, but it’s also your love.

Figure out what things help you relax (going for a walk, making tea, spending some time in a library), and then do those things intentionally, every day if possible. It’s important to reduce stress if you want to be healthy. Studies show that you’re more likely to catch a cold or injure yourself when you’re stressed. But, good stress management can improve many areas of your life.

Embrace Change

As you age, work with young dancers–don’t treat them like they’re enemies. Instead of reacting against them, sharpen up your own skills. Take new classes and find inspiration that will keep your own art fresh and young.

From the Source

This article offers great advice for older dancers who want to keep dancing, and for younger dancers who are just planning out their careers. Follow this link to read all of the advice in “Staying on Your Toes.”

And, if you want to know what to do when your professional dance career does end, check out Career Transition for Dancers, a resource dedicated to helping dancers begin second careers.