As we head into the summer holidays, all of our teachers are often asked the same question by dancers and parents: “How much should I be practising over the holidays?” 

Summer is the perfect time to rest, reset, and refocus, and this can be one of the most important moments in your dance journey. You don’t need hours of training to stay on track - sometimes the best progress happens with small, consistent efforts.

Here are our teachers' top tips to help you make the most of your summer without burning out.

Enjoy some time off!
Rest is one of the most important parts of being a dancer! Your body has worked hard all year, learning choreography, building strength, and balancing school work, rehearsals, and everything else going on in life. Taking time off helps you recharge physically and mentally, and allows you to come back motivated. Enjoy the sunshine, spend time with family and friends, relax, and let your body rest.

Keep choreography fresh by going over it in your head
You don’t need a studio to stay connected to your routines. Whether your are a competitive dancer, or have started learning next year’s exam work, one simple habit is to run over choreography in your mind. You can do this while brushing your teeth, waiting for food, sitting in the car, or before bed. Mental “rehearsals” keeps things familiar so that returning to classes next year will feel easier and less overwhelming.

Small, regular practices are better than one long session
If you want to keep up your technique or work on specific goals like splits or double pirouettes, a little bit each day is enough. Ten minutes a day of warm-up, stretching, and basic exercises will help you far more than one big three-hour session over the holidays. Your body responds better to consistency than intensity. 

Reflect on your year and set goals for 2026
The end of the year is a great time to think about what you’ve achieved. Reflect on what you have achieved in 2025, what you’re proud of, what challenged you, and what you want to work toward next year. Your goals don’t need to be massive. They might be about confidence, technique, performance, or simply enjoying dance more. Writing them down can help you start 2026 with purpose and drive. When you start back in January, share these with your teacher! We want nothing more than to help you smash your 2026 goals. 

Summer doesn’t have to mean going backwards, and it definitely shouldn’t mean pushing yourself too hard. A balance of rest, a little bit of practice and working on your mindset will help you return next year feeling refreshed, strong, and ready for everything ahead. Enjoy your break, and we can’t wait to see you back in the studios!!