Dance teaches adaptability and focus
Let us read, and let us dance; these two amusements will never do any harm to the world.”
Voltaire
The ballet program I follow was recently live streamed, focused on stretches. I’ve come to love the live streams, not because it’s live since I can always pull it up later when it’s convenient for me, but because it’s an appointment. In my own house. And I need structure.
Ballet is my favorite activity because it does not feel like exercise. And no, I’m not a ballerina; I did not begin “lessons” until the age of 12, which were brief, and I began again at 18 when I was working and spending all my money on dance and music lessons. Because in my youth if you wanted something that cost money, you were on your own. But I digress.
I do not have a dancer’s body and I’m not trying to look like one. I cannot do a split because at this age: why?
Importance of exercise and self-care
My ballet is focused on toning and stretching, not necessarily dancing to a choreographed piece wearing a tutu and killer pointe shoes. I must exercise, and I have always loved ballet, so it is a natural fit. My days of becoming a prima ballerina are loooong gone, but I appreciate the craft and discovered a ballet series that works for me. (If you’re interested, it’s Ballet Beautiful)
As I was “in class” stretching my poor legs, I thought about the compromises we make in life. For example, when I began this series a few years earlier, my stretching was extensive. Because of intense lower back issues I have now (not because of ballet), I can no longer stretch sideways or twist. I can barely bend forward. It’s frustrating, but I adapt.
Ballet and writing commonalities
Similarly, my writing hopes and workload have changed. Because of life in general, whether it is dealing with health issues, being a caregiver, changes in the workforce—I’ve had to adapt, like it or not. And I know you can relate. Many of us would thrill to give all our time in doing something we enjoy—writing, gardening, traveling, ballet, music—but our reality is, well, reality. Some of you raise children. And still many of us do not have an endless supply of disposable income to do what we want (which is why we dream and write).
Life often forces change. Our circumstances change. Our bodies change. And most of the time it all comes uninvited.
We don’t give up. We simply reroute and end up on a delayed path. But our aim is to reach our destination to fulfill whatever we are after.
Find your “yes” to realize your passion
For years I knew I would never be a ballerina. It is not a profession you can simply pick up later in life like accounting. You start when you are quite young, and your dance career path ends early. That’s reality.
Despite that, I never allowed “no” to get in the way and I never stopped dancing. I copied the routines I saw on the television show “Fame,” as well as other musicals. I “performed” in my bedroom, living room, and sometimes, on the amateur talent show stage, without fear. And if you ever see me in the grocery store, you’ll recognize me by my dancing to the overhead music. I am not embarrassed.
Dancing is a way to focus on my self-care without thinking it’s exercise or therapy. I simply do it because it’s a part of me.
Dancing is a way to focus on my self-care without thinking it’s exercise or therapy. I simply do it because it’s a part of me.
Writing is like that. Despite life’s challenges and the rerouting toward my goals, I continue to write because it is who I am. I’m more familiar with rejection than acceptance. I push through the stress and roadblocks because I know, at some point, the resounding “yes” will be the only yes I need.
In the meantime, ballet, like gardening, is my therapy, my release, my boost to get me back to my desk and write about it.
What about you? What’s your therapy or happy place?
Follow Emma Kathryn Harris on Facebook and Instagram.
