Physical

Physical: Being a dancer takes tremendous amounts of dedication. When you see a dancer execute a perfect pirouette, most people do not realize the amount preparation it takes. There is incredible pressure involved: the strain of the muscles, the stress of not letting your company down, the anxiety of remembering a combination. Forcing your body to execute what you envision in your head. Dancers must practice for hours. I’ve heard people argue that dance is not a sport, and I strongly disagree. There is a huge amount of athleticism involved in dance. The class becomes a team, and you can’t let down your company. The members of the class recognize each other’s struggle. Push each other; push yourself. At the end of class there is fatigue, but the rush of endorphins keep you looking forward to the next class, even with aching muscles, even with sore bones. As performance day looms closer, the dancer begins nervous preparation. Working through the pain was worth it. The time has come to be past perfecting technique. It’s down to ritual and repetition, musicality and expression. Sometimes there is silence; sometimes there are encouraging words. Muscle memory and keeping up your strength is all that is left.

Done