Lindsay folkman
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life lessons from a lifetime of dance

When you stand in front of a mirror, day after day after day,...you can't help but self-reflect.


#5 - "thank you"

3/15/2015

1 Comment

 
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For anyone who has never had the opportunity to experience a ballet class, there is something that I have grown to love and cherish...and you should know about it.

After every class, ... when the sweat is dripping from their bodies, their feet aching and possibly bleeding, and their minds and spirits are drained, ... each dancer applauds the class they just received, then one by one, they take a personal moment to offer a curtsy and 'thank you' to their instructor.

Why?

What does the "Thank you" mean to the dancer?
​It means they appreciated the time they had. It means for another day they were able to do what they love.  It means they understand that what they just received, they could not give to themselves. It means they would like to learn more.  It means whatever pains and aches they feel can be healed.  And it means they have, at that particular moment, all they need.

What if we all ended our day in the same way to one who loves us in a way we can barely grasp - our teacher, our Savior. What if we, in our broken and drained state, took that personal moment to say thank you for what we just received?  Would it go something like this:  I'm a little broken today. I'm tired, my heart hurts, and I just want the lesson to stop. But today I realized I have the strength to push myself. I confronted another hurdle and I'm still here. I know I can't do this without you; thank you for teaching me.  I will be back tomorrow to learn more. And at the end of another day, I will be there to say thank you again, because I realize now that what I accomplished today is way beyond what I ever thought I could have accomplished before. That is how I know you are proud of me.  And that is why I am ready for more.  See you tomorrow.

Don't forget to thank your teacher.

1 Comment

#4 - "Don't forget your roots"

3/3/2015

0 Comments

 
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I stand firmly on the concept of Opposition as I teach dance technique of any and every genre. "When you reach right, pull the torso left... Contract in, but pull up... If energy wants to go out, it's got to come in... Push AND pull...Melt AND grow..."  The techniques found in opposition are endless; or should I say, limitless.  I most often refer to Opposition when teaching the fine art of balance.  Every dancer must master the technical beauty and peace of a clean, suspending releve.  Everything in movement builds from proper alignment and balance.

From the youngest of dancers, I teach balance the same.  "Lengthen and lift the lower torso and hip flexors, and focus on what is above and what lies below. The back of the neck lengthens up and into the open space, while the tail/leg/feet (depending on the movement) reach down INTO the floor. Not ON the floor...IN the floor."  The best imagery is that of a tree's root system.  We can all envision the intricate and winding roots burrowing their way into the earth in order to hold the tree firmly in place, no matter the obstacle it confronts.  The same is true in Dance.  The same is true in Science (Newton's Laws of Motion: "equal and opposite reaction").  The same is true in Life.

When the storms of life come howling, don't forget your roots. When it is taking all your energy just to stand firm, plant your feet on what you know is stable. When it is time to test your boundaries, remember where you came from. When you feel inspired to reach further and discover your confidence, keep stretching back to not lose hold of your humility. By all means, keep your height and be seen, but don't lose yourself.  Remember what holds you steady.  Don't forget your roots... the storm will pass.

And you will still be standing.

0 Comments

    expression

    As a mother, an artist, and member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I often find opportunity to teach.  In so doing, I come back to my dance life in order to better explain that which is difficult to explain.  ...and isn't that the true purpose of dance?  To describe the indescribable? 
    Yes, it is.

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Photos used under Creative Commons from Caselet, quinn.anya