A Dancer's Perspective
As a dancer who’s worked both in New York and abroad, I understand the physical and emotional demands of our craft, as well as the ideal we strive to embody. Dancers face an exceptional, yet surmountable challenge to mind, body, and spirit. The body is not just an instrument, it is an obsession, it is art. My goal is to provide a safe environment where emotional and physical tools can be accessed to sculpt that art into its required form, however seemingly extreme that form may be. Dancers are often skeptical that they will be able to get “thin enough” through healthy, satisfying means. I can promise that it is possible, although it will require focus and attention to detail. Luckily, these are two traits dancers possess in abundance.
Anorexia and bulimia are diseases found with noticeable frequency in the world of ballet. The mind/body disconnect that they engender is toxic to the harmonious nature of art. It is not only possible, it is essential that dancers sculpt their instrument through a healthy mind/body connection. This approach will lead to increased strength, stamina, and presence, as well as decreased likelihood of illness or injury due to a severely weakened body.
I understand that for dancers, building a healthy mind/body relationship can be particularly challenging. Constantly directing critical attention toward their bodies, they subject themselves to judgment, welcome critique from coaches, and literally compare themselves to perfection. The journey toward inner health is truly worth embarking upon, if for no other reason than for the sake of your art. A synchronized mind, body, and spirit may not be apparent to a mirror, but it creates that indescribable energy that touches the collective soul of audiences, making dance thrilling and magical.
