Connectedness

When we think about being connected, we first think of being connected with the world. The people around us, nature, music…. But how about the inner us? Let’s imagine that there is another you inside you :-)

When you are born, you aren’t born a dancer, or a doctor, or an electrician. You are born YOU. However, along the way, you become what you do, and forget who you are.

Everything around us tells us what we should be, how we should look and feel.

Let’s take dance for example. There is a technique that must be followed, for a reason. It will prepare you so the movements can be executed. Then comes the teacher or the director that tells you how those movements need to be interpreted. And If that is not enough, there is more! Astheticaly speaking, classical dance has a body model that is aspired and a lot of times expected from the dance world. And as a dancer you want to be able to fit in.

As a ballet teacher, I’m not only very picky in technical details, but I also drive my students to be hard workers. However, above all this, what I want to see the most in my students, is their own uniqueness shining thru their dancing. That is when the connectedness with your own being is so important. Because for that to happen, you can’t loose yourself in the process.

What I mean by the process is the craft that involves in becoming a dancer. Dance is what you do, not the essence of who you are. Take the dance away from you and what is left? Dance can be a very important element of your life. But You are still the most important element of your life.

How easy it is to get lost in the corrections, in the directions from the teachers. Perhaps its a big misunderstanding. Or yet, a lack of information and direction. That is a topic for another time!

How easy it is to stop trusting yourself, and start idolizing the other person. Everybody else’s feet legs extensions, balances are better then mine… They are better then me… And soon, the dream that used to make you so happy, makes you miserable. Have you noticed that dancers spend more time taking care of their point shoes then about what they should eat during the day? Or, what leotard they should use rather then how many hours of sleep they should have? They can treat a blister with so much care, but don’t pay attention on the feeling of exhaustion.

When you accept that you are wonderfully made with your unique beauty, you start treating yourself with much care and love and start seeing how amazing You can shine thru what you do. When you stay connected, stay true and are your best friend, you take care of YOU. And taking care of you, you become stronger. You have less injuries, or recover from injuries much faster because your muscles and tendons and everything in between are nourished from good nutrition; You feel more energetic in class and on the stage because you have good nights of sleep and your body had time to recover and recharge; you are more aware of the subtleties of movements and its interpretations because you practice breathing exercises and meditation to feed you brain and nervous systems, and of course your whole body; You are in a better mood because you perhaps noticed the beautiful day and enjoyed the wind brushing against you face on the way to the studio. What you put in your body is as much important as what you allow to go thru your eyes and ears.

Stay connected with yourself listening carefully what your body is telling you. Stay connected with your family. Build a strong circle of friends that celebrate You and don’t let you forget that life is, believe it or not, bigger then dance.

#dancermind