Life Dance

My favorite show by far is So You Think You Can Dance on FOX.  It's almost at the end of its ninth season.  The dancers captivate me as I watch them, and the choreographies are impressive.  Lately I have been writing down some of the thoughts this show stirs within me, as well as some of the quotes by the judges.

The collage pictured above is one I made with pictures of dancers that I found in my collection of collage materials.  I hung it up behind my desk so I could see it when I sit to write.  I would like to focus on why dance has such meaning for me, and dig deeper into the messages that coincide with the dance of life.

There is something special about the dancers who have their own style and quirkyness.  They bring all of themselves to the dance floor, knowing who they are and not being afraid to show it.  The dancers who are fluid in their ability to move carry versatility; they are able to take on whatever situation they are put into and handle it with grace.  When the dancer lives and breathes the music, she is able to become an embodiment of the piece - the soul of emotion, the music - and for those few minutes, another dimension is experienced. 

Trust is an essential element in the best dances.  When the dance partners trust each other, and when the dancers trust their choreography, they are able to allow themselves to be thrown fully into the routine, even if the dance throws them off-kilter.  When they go full on into it, no matter what it holds, it becomes a thing of brilliance and beauty. 

There is something about being surrendered to the dances that allows vulnerability to show through and gives the audience the opportunity to truly connect with the dancers.  When the audience is able to connect with the dancers on an emotional level, they can get through to the top - even without being the best dancer technically.  Technicality is not what matters most.  Perfection is thrown out the door.  It's about being able to realize that sometimes getting as into the routine as you need to in order to show your commitment to the piece sometimes means that you're going to have to beat yourself up pretty badly.  It's not always going to look pretty, as was explained about the piece Addiction, choreographed by Mia Michaels.

This show provides such a learning experience for me that I desire to carry over into life.  Strong messages are spoken of how I would like my Life Dance to be.  I want to be able to let it all out, let go of the baggage, "stop dancing with all the baggage," as the judges have encouraged some of the dancers to do.  I want to let loose and show emotion, show who I am in my daily moments.  I want to give something raw and uninhibited...  The dancers who push their limits and break down the walls are the ones who leave the biggest impressions and create the most unforgettable moments.