Human bodies are already very complicated. On top of that, each body is one of a kind with its own set of strengths and weaknesses. In the world of dance, the uniqueness of each body explains why some are superb at turns, while others have great flexibility; some have immense core strength while others adapt easily to new dance styles; some get easily injured and others heal quickly. Assiduous efforts in the right direction can further polish the strengths and better the weaknesses, but it’s usually hard to alter the way one’s body inherently is.
For instance, when I joined a jazz dance academy in Delhi for the first time four years back, I could feel my limbs being all over the place. But I had great energy, and consistence practice made all my moves sharp and clear. And great energy coupled with clarity in body is considered to be a great asset in dance. But I always lacked flexibility. Flexibility is something that can definitely be worked upon but because it is relative, some people would always be more flexible than you, no matter how hard you try. And while I did become more flexible over time, it took me three long years to understand the tendencies of my body. Whenever I came back from a short break, not only was I back to square one in terms of my flexibility, it took even longer to come back in normal shape. And every time I actually thought that somehow I had injured myself until an instructor showed me the reality. There are some people who would come back after years with little or no change at all.
The only point I am trying to make is that while the visible weaknesses can be worked upon, there is not much we can do about the way our body innately is. And that is absolutely fine, because we can always create something extraordinary and beautiful with whatever we possess- good, bad, or neutral. But because I have been missing so many classes, my technique has really suffered. So I would be starting afresh in the same dance institute in Delhi that I joined a few years back. And I am hoping my new journey would be just as much fun. Wish me luck!
For instance, when I joined a jazz dance academy in Delhi for the first time four years back, I could feel my limbs being all over the place. But I had great energy, and consistence practice made all my moves sharp and clear. And great energy coupled with clarity in body is considered to be a great asset in dance. But I always lacked flexibility. Flexibility is something that can definitely be worked upon but because it is relative, some people would always be more flexible than you, no matter how hard you try. And while I did become more flexible over time, it took me three long years to understand the tendencies of my body. Whenever I came back from a short break, not only was I back to square one in terms of my flexibility, it took even longer to come back in normal shape. And every time I actually thought that somehow I had injured myself until an instructor showed me the reality. There are some people who would come back after years with little or no change at all.
The only point I am trying to make is that while the visible weaknesses can be worked upon, there is not much we can do about the way our body innately is. And that is absolutely fine, because we can always create something extraordinary and beautiful with whatever we possess- good, bad, or neutral. But because I have been missing so many classes, my technique has really suffered. So I would be starting afresh in the same dance institute in Delhi that I joined a few years back. And I am hoping my new journey would be just as much fun. Wish me luck!
