These Beautiful Legs

Tags

dancing, health, inspiration, legs, life, me, observations, path, Running, thoughts, travel, walking, work

As I was running today after being away from it for almost a month again, I had an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my legs. As I cooled down and walked my way back I could not stop thinking about how grateful I am for these beautiful legs of mine and all they have been through, seen and have provided for me.

I look back to my youth and realize how much a part of my legs were in my sports participation. And although I was never really that great at any sport per se, I realize how beneficial my legs were in allowing me to do things such as the Presidential Physical Fitness tests we had to take and how many of those awards I was able to accumulate. I was a fast little one in my day and if it weren’t for these legs, I could not have traveled like the wind.

And then I think to football, wrestling, gymnastics. And yes, cheerleading. All of those wonderful experiences they allowed for me. In addition to all of the wonderful people I was able to meet and to get to know simply because I was fortunate enough to participate in such activities. How lovely to have had these legs carry me to so many wonderful people in my teens.

And then there was that time I fell in love with this thing called dance. Yes that awkward moment when I realized that I really loved a body in motion and that my legs were going to have to learn how to refine their movements and articulate in ways that they have never been asked before. And yet because of my previous life in sports my knees were somehow not having it at all. But, my legs decided that they were not going to listen to my knees and overcome the deteriorating cartilage issue that the doctor warned me about and suggested I find another passion. We clearly know where that went.

And after all these years dancing, at the age of 47, my legs still care for me and carry me to so many magical places. My legs are my life. They do so many beautiful things for me. They have provided so many experiences and adventures I could never have imagined possible. They have walked me in and out of cities all over the world. They have touched the backs of horses and elephants. They have danced on some amazing stages in the world and have been submerged in many oceans. They have given me so much.

And for this I am so appreciative. Grateful that I have these beautiful legs in which continue to allow me to purse my dreams, share my knowledge, share their knowledge and share their grace. I am so fortunate to be able to take myself for a run and move through the woods along the river of this beautiful city on such a beautiful day. Thank you legs for the amazing gifts you have given and continue to give to me. May I honor you and cherish you for all of your goodness.

Walk on!

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Departing from Platform Unknown

Tags

Conscious Living, courage, Courageous Vulnerability, Dream, heart, heart path, path, patience, spirituality, well being, Wonder

Standing in this meadow looking out at the expanse, all I see is possibility.

Although there are mountains that surround me, they are beautiful and beckon an ascent.

Yes, it is beautiful here too, but I wonder what lies just beyond the mountain?

I wonder what I might see from its vistas and what wonder might await just beyond?

Yes, there will be a lot of effort expended in order to shift this present state.

And yes, there is the unknown, but the unknown is here right now too.

So if this platform from which I stand is uncertain, then ultimately there is no real risk.

The only thing that can possibly happen is change.

If I stay too long, I worry about stasis.

If I do not challenge myself to push for more, then there is complacency.

If I do not engage in growth and development, my work ceases to be relevant.

Standing in this meadow I have made a decision; embrace the possibility.

Present Living and Loving

Tags

Conscious Living, courage, Courageous Vulnerability, Dream, faith, heart, heart path, hope, love, Mindful Action, path, present living and loving, universal consciousness, universal heart

The best way to speak of love is to live in love. The best way to share a dream is to live in the presence of it. The only way one can truly speak of anything is through their actions. Words are abstract intellectual musings that do not compare to the present moment of the action. There is an immediacy in the art of living that cannot be matched by representations of what has passed. Spend time in the presence of love and in the fulfillment of your hearts dreams. It is here that we resonate with every other single humane being who has ever been or will ever be.

 

Words for the dancers of “Bridging the River of Timelessness”

Tags

Ballet, choreography, Conscious Living, contemporary dance, Dance, Dream, heart path, hope, journey, light, Mindful Action, Modern, path, patience, Soul to Soul, spirituality, training, universal consciousness, universal heart

Bridging the River of Timelessness

 

With each step, we are pushed upwards towards the heavens. With each breath, heaven absorbs us. We live in a constant state of rise and fall, evolution and demise as well as continual transformation. This is what creates the movement that guides us all towards the ultimate freedom of transcendence.

 

In these quiet, contemplative steps, we must be mindful of the very moments we inhabit. These moments help us to understand the magnitude of our being in order to recognize the bridges needed to cross the river of timelessness.

 

There needs to be no fear for what is to come. That which is our present, is the angel that keeps us safe. In this present moment of awareness, we understand all things as time ceases to have importance. It is this moment that the universe allows you to glimpse the radiant glory of timelessness itself. And because of this insight, you know, in the deepest parts of your spirit, that there is nothing to fear for you are the light of the universe and the universe is the light of you.

 

Thoughts on an Open Morning

Tags

arts, beleif, Dance, EBAS, journey, Mantra, open heart, path, quiet heart, quiet mind, shift, space, spiritual, wisdom

Quiet heart, quiet mind has been my mantra for calm and rest during the tumultuous past nine months of tireless travel, teaching and creativity. It has brought many of beautiful things to fruition and changed an otherwise anxious heart to one of spacious graciousness followed by a mind at peace. It has been the right kind of focus at a time when speed wanted to override the joy.

 

Now, I am realizing how much luxurious space there is in my life for the first time in a very long time. Exuberant, vacuous space full of intent and joy. My world has been blown open not by the removal of moments, but rather by the appreciation and sense of gratitude inside existing moments with a new found sense of clarity, quiet and calm. Courage resides in this space as my guide no longer a need for battle.

 

As I spend a quiet and cool morning at home with the boys, a cup of coffee and space, I wonder what it is I will carry as a mantra through the rest of the year and perhaps on into the rest of the school year. What keeps surfacing for me at present is an open heart. A heart that is permeable and porous free from fear and doubt; a heart that says yes “we” can share and yes “we” can give.

 

It seems to me that this is the time for extreme giving. This is the time for sharing what we have, what we do and what we can with others around us. If there ever was a time to be philanthropic and a supporter of the arts, healing and spiritual growth, that time would be now. This is the time of great healing and great bridge building. This is the time where we need to go deep within so that our explorations of ourselves might move out into the vat uncharted spaces of our world sharing all we have with others.  Now is a time for opening our hearts.

The Depth of Space

Tags

Ballet, bliss, breath, class, contemporary dance, courage, Dance, depth of space, Jazz, joy, Modern, moving mountains, path, peace, practice, Soul to Soul, spirit, spirituality, Understanding, yoga

In the space between the spaces is an ocean of understanding. In the breath that fills the lungs, there is compassion. In our practice we must remember to allow for space despite not knowing how much more there is to achieve. When we diligently practice with a beginners mind and a committed heart, space opens up. Time becomes our ally as we ever expand our reach both externally and internally. In this expanse, we find freedom.

 

This range of motion of both the physical self and emotional self allows for release and rejuvenation. We rehydrate our bodies while replenishing our spirit. Our ever-reaching hearts are allowed to beat the breath of our souls finally becoming congruent as the body enjoys the joy of itself in motion. We are built to move and our hearts built to run.

 

Yet, this is just for today. Tomorrow we must again climb that mountain of practice and once again ascend with humility and awe. We have never been here before because it is this day, this moment. Never have we seen this time and never will we see it again. It is not enough to have felt the joy once; the challenge is to strive to feel it again and again. Memorize your sensation. Know where it comes from and how to access the depth of it. Know the body as you know your soul, intimately and with a sense of respect and reverence.

 

In this daily practice, inside the humility and exaltation, find the replenished heart and then share it with the world. When you realize how much strength and power lies within the space within, when you understand that you are able to move mountains by gesturing the center-line as long as you possibly can, you will know you are free. You will know you are truly alive by your mere ability to reshape your being and your spiritual bliss. Once you know this, share it unconditionally. Give all you can without expectation and love because you can.

 

 

 

Moving in the Direction of the Action

Tags

Balance, Ballet, class, contemporary dance, Dance, energetic pathways, equality, following your desire, following your heart, learning, life, modern dance, path, pathways, present, present moment, standing leg, Teaching, Technique

Move into the direction of the action is a familiar saying for me that is often applied in technique classes for the appropriate effort and placement of many technical principles. It is important to have technique to activate the desires of our dreams to dance, as well as important to activate the desires of our life.

What this means in technique is similar to what it means in our lives. When one begins to activate the muscular engagement for low to high leg articulations, one must fully activate the anchoring leg, standing leg if you will, in order to cultivate the necessary balance of engagement in the activity. There must be a little more descending energy applied pressing through the body to press the leg into place rather than by lifting.

The act of pressing allows the leg to float to its proper position through the support of external rotation and proper developmental pathways which support an actively balanced body ironically moving forward in the activity rather than moving back. The retreating of the body is a reaction to improper muscular balance and pulls one off their alignment and away from their desired outcome and task.

The irony here is that we must be present in the action of technique. It is crucial in the articulation and process that we are present in every moment of our reaching to activate the right musculature achieving the appropriate response. We must be in the act of doing by moving into the direction of the action.

Moreover, of course, what is true in technique is true in our lives, for technique is a direct reflection of our actions in other areas of our daily activities. We must be present so that we choose wisely, what is right for our lives and us. We must constantly negotiate the right pathways making sure we are moving in the flow of our own direction rather than the direction of others. We must move into the direction of the action of our hearts.

Joy as our Rudder

Tags

courage, emotional congruency, faith, fear, heart, hope, journey, joy, laughter, light, merriment, passion, path, rudder, Soul to Soul, spirit, spiritual

We should let joy be our rudder and courage our sails. If we are to cast off towards our dreams on a sea of constant change, we should remain faithful to our journey with the most joyful heart and courageous spirit. If we have these two characteristics as part of our arsenal, we are sure to journey with much laughter and good spirit finding ourselves collaborating with the elements regardless of their intensity.

 

We should let love be our light and laughter our energy. If we are to encounter our deepest fears along our journey, we should let love from our hearts light the dark caverns and laughter echo loudly against those walls. If we have these two sources of power deep within the well of our hearts, we are sure to journey with much compassion and understanding in ourselves and for others that there will only be congruent steps full of merriment for have taken this path. 

 

Secrets for the Road: Day 2

Tags

all things, courage, creative voice, dreams, essence, fullfillment of things, heart, heart path, imagination, integration, joy, path, spirit

 

If there is an understanding of the path you are on and that it is being led from your heart, there will be much joy on that journey.  If we are led by the very essence of our being we will find the unexpected fulfillment of things we could not have possibly imagined, manipulated or manufactured. If we listen to the winds that guide us, regardless of change in direction or speed, we will flow in ways that will be most beneficial. If we allow the timbre of our creative voice to be heard, truly heard from within, we will share the deepest beauty yet to be seen. If we accept that we are connected and integrated with all things, we will allow the arc of our life to carry us beyond our wildest dreams.

 

There Is Only This Moment

Tags

Believing, Conscious Living, Courageous Vulnerability, Mindful Action, path, Seeing, universal consciousness, well being

I used to wish

Yet now there is nothing more to wish for

I once had hope

But there is little left to hope for

I at times found myself lost in dreams

Somehow all the dreams have faded to black

 

Now there is only this moment

Conscious, clear and definitive

It is in this space I find myself and find reality

What is, is where clarity and truth live

It is here, right now, in this place

The present washes away everything else