Day 10

It's already Day 10! No freaking way! I feel like I just got here! So today was a great day! Everything about today was fabulous and I am feeling very energized for tomorrow! We started the day off with a really heartfelt yoga class. Yoga began with Nicole quoting a passage from a book titled, A Path with Heart by Jack Kornfield. The quote that Nicole picked out was in relation to the lec/dem we had the previous day with the company discussing pathways in dance and how one can reach their goals and get to where they want to be. The quote follows:

"Look at every path closely and deliberately. Try it as many times as you think necessary. Then ask yourself and yourself alone one question. This question is one that only a very old man asks. My benefactor told me about it once when I was young and my blood was too vigorous for me to understand it. Now I do understand it. I will tell you what it is: Does this path have a heart? If it does, the path is good. If it doesn’t, it is of no use." (C. Castaneda)

This really made me reflect all day on this pathway I have chosen. All day I have been thinking, am I taking the right path? Is this for me? I feel as though I am constantly out of shape, not strong enough, and disconnected...but I love to move. It really does give me pleasure to express myself in movement. Although it is a lot of hard work and I will probably never be the best dancer in the world, it doesn't matter. As long as I can have the opportunity to express myself and be who I am, I will be content...well without starving of course!

Then Chris Vo taught ZUMBA today! And wow, I do not remember being as tired in the Ailey Zumba class last year...and I definitely feel as though I am in better shape! He is just a ball of energy and seeing him move just makes me want to continue. But let me tell you, this zumba class was so intense. My entire leotard was soaked by the end, and that was just the warmup for our jazz class!!! WHAT!! Out of shape...Nicole taught a shortened jazz class today. It was odd because one girl was doing one of the combinations and then just walked away when she couldn't do it right! What kind of attitude and professionalism is that! That is one, rude and two, immature! That shows someone how important the aspect of dance is to this girl..not important at all. If she was really invested in the movement, she wouldn't care how badly it looked, she would keep progressing on. Clearly she is just here for the status.. Nicole made a really great point today in class...here is her paraphrased version...

" The best dancers are not the dancers who have great turnout, high legs, and great feet. The best dancers use what they have in their package and make it work."

This really inspired me. She said that dancers are not made to be manufactured out of a cookie cutter. She said that the reason that many people are respected in the dance world is because they bring something new to the table. These successful people bring who they are to the table. She said that even if someone's technique is flawless, it doesn't matter because there is someone probably just as good if not better there to replace you...but that artistry coming from the heart is unique and not something you can replace.

Then after lunch we learned Repertory from Reid from a piece Lar did called Marimba which is one of Lar's older works. It was really repetitive, but really fun. Reid talked a lot about using your breath to create imagery for you regarding tension and release in movement. As opposed to completely letting things go, you should release the tension from your arms and upper body, but keep a pocket of air inflating and creating tension in your torso for support. Reid described it as inhaling air and exhaling so that you have just enough for support.

Then we had Jojo's rehearsal and created dance #3 out of 3. Everytime I see him he has new ideas soaring through his head. I really respect Jojo as a choreographer, dancer, and artist. I feel as though he is so fully committed to dance and not many people fully surrender themselves to something. Jojo not only has a great personality but a great work ethic and I respect that balance.


Then to top off the night I spent 5 lovely hours with some wonderful ladies. Jacki, Lyia, Mirela, Emma, Hannah, AshleyAnne and I had some wonderful times in the dining hall and in my room either discussin dance, playing snaps, playing Black Magic, playing the rhythm gesture game, facebooking stalking people, or creating new languages! I really love these girls and I can't believe we are soon going to have to part! But it's not over yet! More to come! :)


"SLART, LARSTITUTE, HELLAR, TELARSCOPE, DEVLARPE, LARDY GAGA!"

"To truly find yourself you should play hide and seek alone."

"Learn to use your eyes to gear your intention for the movement."- Nicole