Embracing Your Inner Child: Improve your Mental Health

As we grow older, life gets filled with responsibilities, deadlines, and expectations. For teens navigating school pressures and adults balancing work, family, and commitments, play and imagination often take a backseat. But reconnecting with your inner child isn’t just nostalgic, it can be one of the most powerful tools for improving your mental health. The Play Phase is one of the most fun and important parts of Rosina Andrews Method.

Dance can be a great way to connect with your inner child, read my tips below how you can improve your mental health by adding play to your day, your dance classes or your free time!

The “inner child” isn’t about acting immature; it’s about reconnecting with the curiosity, creativity, and joy we once had when we were younger. Children approach the world with wonder, live more in the moment, and find joy in simple things. Reclaiming some of that mindset can:

    •    Lower stress levels by triggering playfulness and laughter.

    •    Boost mood by increasing dopamine and endorphins.

    •    Improve resilience by encouraging curiosity over fear.

    •    Strengthen relationships by making interactions more fun and light-hearted.

Practical Ways to Embrace Your Inner Child in dance classes!

1. Add baby class moves to your senior classes!

    •    Include skipping, galloping in your warmups; anything that a pre-primary can do an intermediate dancer can do too!

2. Dance Like Nobody’s Watching

Dance doesn’t always have to be drills... it can be play too!

    •    Dance into the studio and out of it, along the corridors, pump the music, don't stop moving!

    •    Sing a long to a 'banger'; use it in warmup or cool down.

    •    Improvise, improvise, improvise!

3. Rediscover child like games or class tasks

Think back to the things you loved in dance class as child, pat-a-cake with a partner? Playing musical statues? Dancing to Disney Songs? Who said they had to stop at age 15?

4. Adopt a Childlike Mindset

    •    Stay curious: Ask “what if?” instead of fearing mistakes.

    •    Laugh at yourself: Kids don’t mind being silly, try to embrace imperfection. Give dancers the chance to be weird and encourage the giggles.

    •    Celebrate small joys: ask your teens something fun they did this week!

Life will always have serious responsibilities, but joy and play aren’t just for children. By tapping into your inner child in dance classes , you can reduce stress, boost your mental health, and see the world with fresh eyes.

Laugh a little louder, skip a long to The Jungle Book, or jump a little higher as you cross the floor (who cares if your back leg isnt straight?) Your inner dancing child is waiting, and your mental health will thank you for it!