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#5 - "thank you"

3/15/2015

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.

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#4 - "Don't forget your roots"

3/3/2015

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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.

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#3 - "CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE"

1/10/2015

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If there is one thing I've learned from years of teaching the ballet dancer, it is that they have claimed their spot on the barre and their position on the floor. They know where they most prefer to dance and they stick to it. That is...until they meet me. Multiple times throughout a single class I will request the dancers dance in a place they don't often go. Their first response is "weird, this feels weird." Suddenly the perspective they have grown accustom to has changed, creating a visual either smaller or larger than "the norm". And for a short while, the change of perspective throws them off their center. However, the more often they change their perspective, the easier it becomes -- and when once there was discomfort, there is now excitement. Their "safe place" becomes larger, and confidence replaces fear.

How often have we created our "spot" in life? We know who we are, or at least THINK we should be. And that's that. It is what it is. Right? We've grown accustom to our "place". But think about it for a second. Anything OUT of our "space" is a little scary. Let me better explain by use of this inspiring statement by Marianne Williamson: "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you NOT to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. As we are liberated from our own fear. our presence automatically liberates others."

Change your perspective, because who knows...you may just end up loving where you dance next.

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#2 - "You're already there"

3/9/2014

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One of the most memorable "Aha Moments" I have ever received was in a dance class at Brigham Young University. Oh, how I wish I could remember who affected me so, but I guess that's for another post on another day (The Reaches of Your Influence).

The theme of the class on that particular day was POWER and SPACE. How high could we jump? How deep could we go? How far could we extend? What distance could we travel? Well, I guess we weren't too impressive because the instructor stopped the class, called us together, and educated us with this simple message: "Why aren't you giving EVERYTHING you've got? Are you afraid you may fall? Look down. How far could you fall? You're standing on it. You're already there."

Aha! I'm not going to fall. I may stumble. Possibly trip. Maybe even have to catch myself with my hands. But it's within arm's reach. I AM already there. Something on which I have always stood now means so much more.

How often do we hold back, keeping ourselves safe inside, without risk of embarrassment or injury? Far too often, I fear. But if we can remember that we already stand on a sure foundation (whatever that "foundation" is to you), then we know that foundation has already caught us - because we're already there. Trust your knowledge, trust yourself, and trust that which holds you up. The dance floor has never just disappeared and left me to fall, nor has the "foundation" that has created the ME that is me. We can all learn to fly once we fully trust. You won't fall because something (someone) is already there holding you up.

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#1 - "the skinny mirror"

1/14/2014

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If you grew up as a dancer, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. "The Skinny Mirror." Every studio has one...that mirror segment that for some reason or another reflects thinner than the others. You wanted to stand in front of that one. I know I did. I still do.

SO what did I learn from this "skinny mirror"?

Why do I BELIEVE the other mirror segments tell the truth while the skinny mirror just makes me feel better? What if the skinny mirror is the correct reflection? We don't think of it that way because we are all too quick to believe the negative before the positive. Sadly, that's human nature. We'll believe the gossip, hold on to the criticism, and ruminate over the ridicule.

So how about this? BELIEVE the "skinny mirror."

Easier said than done, I know. Look into any mirror and truly see you for what and who you are. You have curves, muscle, wrinkles, probably some sweat, and maybe even tears -- and all of it tells a story of where you've been and the mountains you have climbed. See it that way and you're no longer just a Shape, but you're a Story... Then every mirror reflects the same.

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life lessons from a lifetime of dance

#5 - "thank you"

#4 - "Don't forget your roots"

#3 - "CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE"

#2 - "You're already there"

#1 - "the skinny mirror"

expression

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