One of my readers asked if I could post my top five dance quotes - and I'm more than happy to share. Hope these quotes inspire you just as much!
Obvious, right? Nobody can dance for you, not even the greatest teacher. It's your responsibility to be present, alert, take corrections and never stop trying. You will be a better dancer every time you leave class.
This is a hard one. Faith in yourself is often the first to go when ballet is not working out. But you are learning constantly, and the tools you have managed to aquire this far do not suddenly disappear! Most likely you are struggling because your brain and body is adapting to new information. You will get there, eventually.
Pretty much sums it up. Also a good reminder that ballet is not that serious! Let's have some fun!
I don't think Beckett was a dancer, but he could have gotten far with this attitude! Appreciate every tiny step towards improvement, and never give up on yourself. You don't have to be exceptional, not even "good". If something, anything, is better than the last time you tried - that's good enough. And even if it doesn't - you are still working, breathing, living, dancing..
Music and rhythm lies at the heart of dance. You may not be able to extend legs up to your ears, or turn quadruples or dance on a stage.. But you can dance to the music.
Below: Christopher Wheeldon's "After the Rain." Music by Arvo Pärt. Never fails to capture me.
“You will only get out of a dance class what you bring to it. Learn by practice.” - Martha Graham
Obvious, right? Nobody can dance for you, not even the greatest teacher. It's your responsibility to be present, alert, take corrections and never stop trying. You will be a better dancer every time you leave class.
“You have to believe there's something at the other side. And you have to have faith in yourself. You have to think that you have the tools to accomplish it.” - Twyla Tharp
This is a hard one. Faith in yourself is often the first to go when ballet is not working out. But you are learning constantly, and the tools you have managed to aquire this far do not suddenly disappear! Most likely you are struggling because your brain and body is adapting to new information. You will get there, eventually.
"We're fools whether we dance or not, so we might as well dance." (Japanese proverb)
Pretty much sums it up. Also a good reminder that ballet is not that serious! Let's have some fun!
"Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett
I don't think Beckett was a dancer, but he could have gotten far with this attitude! Appreciate every tiny step towards improvement, and never give up on yourself. You don't have to be exceptional, not even "good". If something, anything, is better than the last time you tried - that's good enough. And even if it doesn't - you are still working, breathing, living, dancing..
"Dance is music made visible." - George Balanchine
Music and rhythm lies at the heart of dance. You may not be able to extend legs up to your ears, or turn quadruples or dance on a stage.. But you can dance to the music.
Below: Christopher Wheeldon's "After the Rain." Music by Arvo Pärt. Never fails to capture me.
