Dance is an art. Every art form needs an inspiration to make it beautiful; without inspiration or meaning, you are left with nothing but a blank canvas. What makes a dancer beautiful is not about the technique or experience she has, but it is the emotion and story behind the dancing. The challenge however, is remembering that muse throughout everything, and not getting caught up in the technique and chaos of the dance world. This is exactly what happened to me. I knew there was a reason why I danced; it is just hard to constantly stay focused on it while dancing. Thankfully, I was reminded in the most beautiful and poetic way.
As I put my stuff down on the floor that Saturday morning, I was expecting just my regular morning Jazz class. I’d start off with some pliées, tendus and ab workouts, followed by across the floor routines and then choreography. But this class was different. We had a substitute teacher who took a whole new approach to the traditional class. She started us off by having us spread out around the room. She turned off all the lights and gave us one instruction. “As soon as the music starts,” she said, “just dance, dance like no one is watching, and dance for someone, dance and remember why you started dancing.” As soon as I started to dance I was overwhelmed by the power of the exercise. I let the music take control and I was suddenly in my own world dancing my heart out to the fullest. Before I knew it, I had started crying. At first it did not hit me; why was I crying in the middle of a warm up? But shortly after I realized that I was crying for Safta.
My Safta, my grandmother, is my biggest inspiration when it comes to dance. I have always used dance as my window to my relationship with my Safta. Using Safta as my inspiration for dance started roughly 10 years ago when she first was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, or PSP. It is a degenerative disease that causes your body to deteriorate from the inside out. When she got sick, she was not able to dance anymore, so it was my goal to dance on for her. Everyday we take for granted what we are able to do. My Safta not able to dance anymore, so I began dancing for her.
In a world filled with technique and competition, it is easy to focus on the physical aspects and lose your inspiration. I needed something to remind me of my inspiration. That day gave me a whole new drive when it comes to my dancing. I had gotten lost in the world of dance classes and lost myself as a dancer. Dancing in the darkness of that exercise to remind myself caused me to break out into tears for one reason. I did not cry because I was sad she is gone; I cried because I knew that I was there, in the dark doing something that I love more than anything in honor of someone I love more than anyone.
I like how the topic is personal. It’s obvious that you truly believe what you’re writing about, and I think that’s great for this kind of writing. One change I would suggest is about when you refer to Safta. I got kind of confused when you referred to your grandmother as “my Safta” and “Safta” because I wasn’t sure whether Safta was a title or something or if it was a name. But I don’t know much about that topic, so it could very well be correct. Great job!
I think the fact you call her Safta brings something fresh to the piece, that may sound strange, but, it feels more personal, since it is not as basic as gram, or geegee.
I like how she, in a way, danced through you. I think that could played up a little more, or a paragraph could be added between the 3rd and the 4th. Somewhere in there.
Unless im totally off point in what i just said, its possible you could add more about your relationship with your Safta. Otherwise its pretty solid, just a few details could be added here and there to strengthen it up.
Your essay was very descriptive and it made it more enjoyable. A This I Believe podcast is supposed to be a performance and since you can only hear a voice, you have to remain interesting. I was able to picture the dance studio with the lights off and the emotions overcoming you. I also like how you chose a personal story. When you hear someone’s inner emotions it makes your audience feel connected and seems as if they know you. I would suggest to emphasize the emotional part of the essay and talk slowly. Good luck on your podcast!