So, you’ve caught the contemporary dance bug. You’ve mastered basic floor work, can flow through a sun salutation without thinking, and maybe even nailed that tricky release-fall combo. But now you’re craving more—deeper artistry, more complex movement, that effortless quality you see in professional dancers. Welcome to the intermediate plateau.

The Mindset Shift

First: stop counting. Beginners focus on steps ("1-2-3, pirouette!"). Intermediates think in phrases and intentions. Try this:

  • Replace "what comes next?" with "how does this feel?"
  • Think of movements as conversations—sometimes you whisper (subtle hand ripple), sometimes you shout (big stag leap)
  • Embrace "messy" as part of the process (contemporary isn’t about perfect lines)

"Intermediate dancers don’t just move—they listen to the space around them."

3 Unusual Practice Tricks

1. The 70% Rule

Practice combos at 70% energy. Sounds counterintuitive, but it:

  • Prevents injury from overexertion
  • Makes you focus on control vs. momentum
  • Actually looks more professional (no one goes 100% all the time)

2. Reverse Choreography

Learn a phrase, then immediately do it backward. This:

  • Boosts spatial awareness
  • Makes transitions smoother
  • Trains your brain for improvisation

3. Texture Journaling

After class, jot down 3 texture words for your movement that day (e.g., "melty," "prickly," "sandy"). Over time, you’ll develop a richer movement vocabulary.

Your 6-Month Progression Plan

Months 1-2: Foundations 2.0

Upgrade your basics: spiral turns with off-center exits, contract-release with momentum, floor work with momentum changes

Months 3-4: Weight Play

Explore falling/recovering with less control, partner work (even just leaning on a wall), suspension vs. collapse

Months 5-6: Artistic Voice

Create 30-second solo phrases weekly using prompts (e.g., "red anger" or "glass breaking")

Beyond the Studio

Watch 3 professional pieces monthly—but not just the dancing. Notice:

  • How dancers breathe differently for tense vs. fluid sections
  • The milliseconds of preparation before big movements
  • When they choose to break technique intentionally

Remember: intermediate isn’t about doing more—it’s about experiencing more within each movement. That moment when you forget you’re dancing? That’s the sweet spot. Now go get dusty.