As some of you already know, I started my Jazz dance workshop series last month and over the course of the last few weeks, I'd received emails from my students - the initial ones were most often moans and groans about how difficult it was but in recent weeks, I have seen a paradigm shift in mindset. One particular email from a dance student touched me so much that I felt the need to share her growth and perspectives:-
Class on Saturday was great eventhough it completely wiped me out. There are aches now in places where I didn't know I could even ache.
After class though, I was grinning for a while when I realized though that dance class is exactly what you say its about. Its not just about learning the godforsaken steps. Its about challenging yourself and your perspectives and perceptions about who you are. Throughout the beginning of class on Saturday, I was thinking "Jesus, there's a reason why I'm the person paying for the tickets instead of performing onstage. This dancing stuff is hard sh_t!".
At the end of class though, I started to think that we are only who we think we can be and that we choose to either stifle ourselves or let go. So what if I'm not prima ballerina material. I just have to be brave enough to try. I may fall over and laugh at myself. I think I can cope with the odd bruise. What's more important is that I don't lose anything when I try. Instead, I may find another side to myself-determination and spirit. Seems like a fair trade off.
Wanted to share that with the teacher himself, Yoda. Thanks for bringing that burst of sunshine to us on Saturdays.
I now need to get me some Tylenol
- Dance Novice
This really, is music to my ears. For dancing really is not just about movement of the body, it is about engaging your mind and soul. Dance Novice. I am very proud of you!
1 comment:
I am reading this entry over and over again and I love it! I agree that it really is the psyche that makes a person. Dance (and perhaps other forms of athletic pursuits) is all about perseverance and about never saying die or "I give up". It is a matter of "you can't" or "you won't". For instance, in my dance arena, I am required to catch up on 8 months of choreo in four weeks – which is very daunting. But if I say die now, I'd have no story to tell, to dreams to pursue. However, if I grit through it and fail, I can safely say at the end of it all... that "i have tried my best.”
Life is too short for “what ifs”. Just do it.
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