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Where does one stand in relation to time? Does one stand hand-in-hand traveling through ones life-journey? Is the standing in front or behind the effort being experienced? Is it within the moment itself? Does the dancer define each and every step to move forward to the space of expression in a life-time or a minute? And then.....the spontaneous connection of life to the moment....Graham suggested strides towards the spontaneous in relentless repetition of effort.

I rehearsed with a ballet master and a 16 year old dancer today. I felt great compassion and love to see the young dancer become a woman, an artist. To take the "old world" approach to constructing perfection in the rehearsal (choreographic) process, take it in stride, stand up and accept the hardship of perfection of technique, artistry, and repetition, and be able to create movement with commitment, graced my day. I find life is a blessing in it's fight to exist.

What is balance?

Is balance a place, a state of being, an energy, a suspension? Is it still or moving?
How does one create balance?

Opposition is physically understood in the practice of dance. The dancer must press energy down into the floor in order to create a supported rise. The action of down creates the up. This opposition is in all movement tasks. The tendu must drive down through the floor to lengthen out and consequently upward to a battement. The extent of the toe is opposed with an anchored pelvis. As well, the working leg drives down to connect, while the standing leg lengthens upward to design. The action simultaneously executed. The torso, the supported action of pressing against the spine in a horizontal manner, releases the length of the spine vertically. The extent of the port de bras is opposed with an anchored shoulder line. The list is endless.

I would define balance as that effort that understands a perimeter and creates freedom within. The outline of restrictions, the rules, the definition of boundaries opposed with boundless creative formation, information, point of view.

Balance is a shape that has texture and suspension through expression of energy.
Opposition is Balance.

The first step to a quick and proper recovery from any injury, is to clear the mind of stress, doubt, self loathing, and self victimization. You must know the body will heal itself with an open awareness of the body's natural desire to be righted. Every cell tissue in your body has "memory", thus memory of trauma as well as health. Give your body the opportunity to heal through time, patience, love, understanding, and awareness of this....not always a quick process, but a learning process that you should embrace.

Be well in your dance!