Not Knitting you know!…..

Posted on February 9, 2012 by juliet

Well now, today was the first class for 2012 and we always start the year with the more advanced students. Everyone was clearly excited to be back in the space and ready to take the challenge to a new level.    However within a short time I was getting the pouts and nervous side looks that generally accompanies the realisation that the spirit is willing but the flesh is surprisingly weak!

‘Isn’t it amazing the difference the Christmas and New Year break
can have on the body?’ they say to me – and each other, smiling sheepishly…

It is a common theme among returning students every year, and interestingly, none seem to remember that the lament is exactly the same each year……’I’ve lost it!’ and/or ‘my legs are so weak!’ and/or ‘wow!, this is really h-a-r-d’ .

Everyone deserves a holiday, a break from something, a full stop, an extended luscious time of nothingness…….right?    Yes and no…depends on what you want….poor, average or exceptional. There are many pursuits that will only demand a part of you, and from those you can have one of those long, nothing at all breaks.   But a long break from dance training, (especially at a high level – or when trying to achieve it) the consequences can be devastating.

Chances are you love it so much your spirit and body scream for it in any case, so…. what are you waiting for – dance!

Anything you want – from Go-Go to Bollywood* in the privacy of your home (or not) is a great way to keep extremely fit and physically ready during a break.  It is also a great way to inject some fun into the technical component of training hard.  Iyengar Yoga is fantastic for maintaining flexibility, stamina and strength.

I remember reading once that the extraordinary Margot Fonteyn had
only one real break from dance in her life before her retirement. It was for 6 weeks and she claimed that her initial return to dance was so challenging physically and mentally she would never do it again (until retirement).

There have been a few occasions in my dance life where I have had to have lengthy breaks and to move away from the studio and into the ‘everyday’ world.  I have found that a disconnection, a kind of ‘dimming’ occurs as I lose touch with that special magic that offers relief from the mundane….the excitement of transforming space and communicating through dance …of-course it does return once you get back in there and start, but there is always that niggling fear the magic has left you… just being physically capable is not the same as creating dance.

One way I have of igniting the flame is going back to some of the most inspired performances I have ever witnessed.   It can be any genre, but it will have one thing in common and that is the mastery of the performer.   It can be raw and edgy or quite sedate, provided it is truly inspired and innovative.  There is something very special about the performance of someone who is truly a creator – they are the source and it shows!  Performances that transcend the mundane and fire your soul inspire you to also create and move!   Another way to get moving is to listening to music that has been similarly composed from the spirit, the rhythms are too great a tease to ignore and before I know it you will be up and holistically engaged!  Powerfully evocative images can also do it, even more so – because your imagination experiences the emotion, the next moment – a whole story.  A great book can do the same. Lastly but not at all least, is immersing yourself in the culture of your chosen genre - chances are (like me) that was your first inspiration in any case – and it is your true source.

And now to my pouting, concerned and frustrated students, (until they find their wings again – which incidentally – never takes as long as they think it will),  I say: ‘don’t worry – just let the music carry you and dance with me, it will all come back’………….. but each year I also have to remind them ….’It’s not knitting you know – you can’t expect put it down and pick up exactly where you left off!’   It takes time to reacquaint and recondition.

The body/mind/spirit phenomenon that is dance is a little unforgiving like that I’m afraid.    The important thing is that you re-engage, as there is nothing of value that doesn’t require discipline, but oh! how that discipline is sweetened when it is fired by the desire to dance.      Juliet x

© Feb 2012

*Go-Go and Bollywood would not be enough to keep high level Classically trained dancers dance prepared - and they already know it!

 

 

 

About juliet

Juliet Le Page has trained in many dance forms including Classical Ballet, Modern Dance, Jazz, and Flamenco and Middle Eastern Dance. She was one of the earliest exponents of Belly Dance in Melbourne and her first performance was in 1980. She soon became disenchanted with Belly Dance and stopped to pursue other opportunities in the arts, including script re-writes, directing, production as well as performance in theatre, TV and film. In 1995 Juliet was introduced to the work of Hilal and has since traveled the world in pursuit of excellence in the art of teaching and performing Egyptian Dance. Her dedication and discipline was rewarded in 2000 when she was invited to become an Applicant for teacher training by the Hilal Art Foundation. Juliet was awarded her full licence in 2004. She continues to hone her skills under the auspice of Marie Al Fajr. She has lectured in universities and to arts groups and has also been interviewed on National radio and for documentaries. She has performed for Arabic festivals, television and in theaters at the invitation of arts bodies. In July 2003, Juliet was invited by The Consul General of Egypt to perform at the official function celebrating Egyptian National Day. She has been interviewed and has performed on the Egyptian Show on community television. She has completed studies in psychology, anatomy and physiology and is a qualified fitness instructor as well as a licenced practitioner of the GYROKINESIS® Method*. Her research and knowledge on functional alignment and physical form relative to Egyptian dance is an important and distinctive component of her teaching. In her purpose built studio she also offers Pilates/Yoga Core Work, and Holistic Stretch classes incorporating PNF method. Juliet has been invited to sit as a panel examiner for professional dance and performance arts academies including the Australian Ballet School - (Spanish Dance 2001-2009). She also has professional experience in theater, film and television in various areas of production, acting and dance. Juliet is also affiliated with Tanz Raum, an international platform where similarly trained and accredited artists share knowledge, experience and resource to inspire excellence in the teaching and performance of Egyptian Dance. She has also taught at the international workshops organised by them. Tanzraum recognizes dedication and integrity and also produces high quality C.D's of traditional Egyptian music**. Juliet’s passion for her chosen genre is evident in her teaching and performance. Her objective is to bring to students an awareness of the intricate and rich cultural heritage of Egypt through the beauty and benefits of the dance art form. Please visit the website for more information www.eed.com.au * GYROKINESIS® is a registered trademark of Gyrotonic Sales Corp and is used with their permission. ** See the Music section for CD & DVD sales. Back to Home.
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