The Nutcracker

Since it is Christmas today I thought I'd share some cool posters of the holiday season ballet "The Nutcracker:"

http://sabellatsiopaniillustration.blogspot.com/

  

(There are 2 other wonderful posters designed by her on her blog)

http://www.theballetbag.com

emilymaye.blogspot.com

 

http://ballethawaii.org

 Merry Christmas!

Working with an injury

As a dancer, there is nothing more frustrating than being injured.

I have mostly been lucky in this regard but this Fall I had this excruciating pain in my knees. It was just this chronic pain that would not go away. Yes I was told to rest but how does a dancer not dance? I mean is that even a choice?

Anyways I struggled through my classes and I also did our bi-annual show. Now when I look at the footage I feel like I totally sucked! But I know I did the best that I could at that point. An injury is physically daunting and mentally exhausting! At least people around me were super supportive which was fabulous. I tried everything from Ayurvedic oil, ginger, excessive painkillers, icing my knees, drinking joint juice, massages...you name it, I tried it!

Now after resting my knees for about 2 months, I am anxious to be back in the studio but also apprehensive about how my body will react. The doctor said my body is "too delicate for this profession." So now I have more supplements than even my 90+ grandma, doing physiotherapy twice a day and yesterday I attended my first yoga class in months and struggled through everything!

I am trying to be patient with my body (what choice do I really have?) Meanwhile, I know I have to overcome this so I will continue to strengthen my supporting muscles, take proper supplements and hope I can dance forever!

Dancing by the Visually Impaired

I always think of dancing as being a very visual activity.

Recently, I had the opportunity to judge a dance competition at the Center for Blind Women, in New Delhi, thanks to my friend Lado who teaches yoga at the Center. What did I expect? I don't know.

All I know is that I was blown away. From the guy who took off his jacket and threw it on stage, to the girl who showed her adas in "Maar Daala," each one of them brought their unique personality, their passion for dance and their determination. Some of them were so good that I didn't even realize that they had a problem with their vision until they would turn and then end up facing a wrong direction, away from the audience and continue dancing.

It was inspiring and humbling. One girl was on the verge of stepping off the stage several times but the volunteer helped orient her. But she kept dancing undeterred.


I have attended workshops where we had to move with our eyes closed. It can be terrifying! And to do a choreographed dance with intricate footwork, without your vision to guide you can be really challenging.

Watching these kids dance their hearts out despite their limitations just made me really happy! And watching their faces light up, I knew they were happy as well.  It just made me appreciate the magic of dance; it can truly cross all barriers...