Paying Attention
The biggest of the big secrets in The Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets is this one: Pay attention, and then use that information
in class and performance. By “paying
attention” I mean a heightened focus. It
is easy to fall into a standard class routine and stop thinking about each step
and how it works, as well as how to improve it.
For a dancer, paying attention involves not only listening to the
instructor, but also being very aware of signals from the body – how it feels
to work the turn-out in a rond de jambe, how it feels to change the level of a
port de bras, etc. This intense focus (paying attention) is especially critical
when attempting to change something in one’s dance technique.
Paying attention works in other areas of life, too. We all fall into the habit of sleepwalking
through our day, running on “auto-pilot”, or being distracted by the terrible
trifles of life. Sometimes all that is
needed to lift our spirits is to really tune-in to the things and people around
us and see and feel things we hadn’t noticed before.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
The Number One Big Overall Secret:
“Pay attention and use
what you know”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“Do stuff. Be
clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on
your forehead. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. Attention is
vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. Stay eager.”
- Susan Sontag
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