Q&A for How to Be a Better Dancer

Listen to the beat and the lyrics to connect emotionally and physically to the song. Fast songs about having fun inspire different movements than slow, heartbreak-focused ballads. Let the beat and the song's content guide your movements.

Yes! Especially if you do ballet, it is a foundation for all dance. The more you do, the more practice you will have and the more versatile you will be.

Stretch a lot. Stretching is the foundation of flexibility. Try to fit stretching into your daily routine and your flexibility will improve in no time.

Absolutely not. It's good to watch them and mimic what they're doing to get more used to the specific style of dance. It helps a lot. Just make sure you don't say that you made up the dance!

You have to understand the lyrics and the music. Really listen to it. You should also try to understand the emotion of the song and what the singer or instrumentals are trying to tell you.

As they say, practice makes perfect. Give it your all while rehearsing. Practice as if you were to actually performing. Watch other people and mimic them. Find a dance instructor or teacher and get help.

Stretching helps prevent pulling any muscles. You can easily get injured if you don't stretch. You can still get hurt even if you stretch, but it's less likely to happen.

It's important to know that for some people that is impossible, no matter how hard they practice because of their bone-structure. But for most people, practice is enough. Try to master easier skills like the splits. Once you have, devote 5 to 10 minutes a day to putting your leg up by your head. Maintain good posture and a strong core, it will be much easier that way.

Practice as much as possible. Captains and co-captains hold their title for a good reason, after all. Once you know the dance, practice it whenever you can- no excuses. Try doing other dances and choreographies, too. Watch professionals do it and mimic their techniques. You'll be sure to improve.

Absolutely. Stretching helps your muscles/body expand more and be able to contort in more ways. It especially helps if you stretch often.

Try doing a lot of leg and torso stretches. You can find some 5-10 minute stretching classes on YouTube.

Practice, stretch and do cardio daily, take dance classes, and accept constructive criticism from your dance instructor and work on improving weak areas.

Take dancing lessons and practice, practice, practice.

Who cares? I have seen many overweight dancers that can rock any dance. Just work on strength and flexibility. Stretch and do workouts to get stronger. You can be strong and flexible without being skinny. Just work hard.

Don't dance that style or don't dance at all. If dancing isn't for you, then who says you have to do it? Try to find something else to be interested in and passionate about. To each his/her own.

Make sure you stretch a lot. Since it's almost as if you're doing the splits in mid-air, you must be flexible enough. Fit stretching into your daily routine, or stretch whenever you can. It'll make a significant difference, and you'll find leaping to be much easier. Also, make sure you find the right technique for a good leap. Put weight on your back foot, the jump off it.

Work on your balance and keep practicing! Also remember to spot.

Watch YouTube videos that teach the fundamentals of ballet, jazz, and modern. Those three styles will allow you to improve your technique. Spend lots of time practicing; record yourself and review to identify any weak spots you need to work on.

You should always stretch before dancing to loosen your muscles and reduce your risk of injury.

Before you go onstage, relax, take a deep breath and remind yourself you know this dance inside-out. When you get onstage, try to let muscle memory take over, and just focus on the piece.

You should stretch your legs daily. Practice your splits as much as possible.

It depends. If you are a ballet dancer, no. Ballet dancers require lean muscles that are not acquired by lifting weights. If you are not a ballet dancer, but a jazz or contemporary dancer, then lifting weights appropriate for your body size may come in handy when it comes to floor work.

Work hard. Be constantly trying to apply corrections in class and continue working on your flexibility, strength and balance outside of class. Evaluate your quality of movement and try to match it to those on the elite team.

Turn on some music and just freestyle or improv dance at first. Use the dance steps that come to you naturally as inspiration and foundation for a more choreographed routine.

Yes, everyone can be a dancer if they want to. Body shape doesn't matter too much - dedication does.