The dance world is filled with technique books, which certainly serve an important role in helping dancers improve their performance. But the market has been conspicuously void of instruction on a vital aspect of dance performance: the mental aspect. By providing tools and strategies to enhance their mental toughness, dancers will be able to become more proficient and consistent in their dance performances, in addition to maintaining their wellbeing.
Part I Building a Foundation
Chapter 1 Foundations of Dance Psychology
Chapter 2 Self-Knowledge
Part II Prime Dance Pyramid
Chapter 3 Motivation
Chapter 4 Confidence
Chapter 5 Intensity
Chapter 6 Focus
Chapter 7 Emotions
Part III Prime Dance Tools
Chapter 8 Goal Setting
Chapter 9 Imagery
Chapter 10 Routines
Chapter 11 Individualized Program
Part IV Special Concerns for Dancers
Chapter 12 Stress and Burnout
Chapter 13 Pain and Injury
Chapter 14 Disordered Eating
Chapter 15 Dance for Your Life
Jim Taylor, PhD, is a long-time sport psychologist and a consultant, speaker, and author who has worked with dancers for three decades. He is also a coauthor of Psychology of Dance, a predecessor of this book, and has consulted with Miami City Ballet. He is a member of the American Psychological Association and the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Taylor received a PhD in psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He enjoys skiing, running, and cycling.
Elena Estanol, PhD, MFA, is a counseling sport psychologist, speaker, peak performance, wellness, and ADHD coach and executive director of Synapse Counseling, LLC, a wellness center that provides cutting-edge sport psychology services, eating disorder and ADHD treatment to dancers, athletes, and performing artists in Fort Collins, CO. She has spent most of her life dancing, teaching, and choreographing dance.