People are feeling nervous.

Nervous and anxious about the Student Showcase on Saturday.

I know this feeling. Well.

So I thought I'd repost these tips today, performance tips.

Whether you're performing in front of your friends in class,

at a show in front of the public,

or even just in your own bedroom in front of your cat,

There are things we can do to ease our nerves ...

(If you prefer to skip the story, you'll find the nine tips at the end of the post.)

It was a couple of years ago.  It was a Saturday.  I had a show, that night.  And I needed help.

So here is what I did ...

It's almost time to perform, and I'm worrying

I've felt this way before.

But I guess I needn't worry so much.  At least I don't have to get up in front of a huge audience to talk only to start crying instead.

So I decided to take myself for a walk to the farmer's market to get some fresh flowers.  Only there was no farmer's market because today is Saturday, not Sunday.

Ooops.

But it got me out walking.  And a walk is always good for me.

I walked and went through some steps in my head.

Now I'm giving myself encouragement.

I'll be sharing the stage with people who are wonderful and supportive.  I like doing this!

And I'm writing myself some notes, little reminders to help me with my performance.

Nine things to remember before (and during) a show

1. Breathe.
2. Have fun.
3. Play & engage with the público and the musicians.
4. Listen.
5. Focus.  It seems that 99.9% of the time when I don't do something I had wanted to do it is because I spaced out.  I can be really good at spacing out.  But today I'm going to be good at focusing.
6. Be in my body.
7. Follow Ricardo's secret piece of advice from desde hace muuuuchos años.  The one about being a reina.
8. Gratitude.  Remember that this is cool.  I have an opportunity share and experience flamenco with a bunch of people.
9. And of course, Trust.

Those things helped me then, and I know they'll help me at my next show.

Perhaps they can help you too.

What am I forgetting?

I'm sure you have lots of ideas.  What do you do before a show to ease your nerves?  To help it go smoothly?  And during?  Let me know.  Tell me in the comments below.