Mel Edwards

At the beginning of September, Patricia Moreno, of IntenSati/Sati Life put up a challenge to readers of her blog to try to lose that “last 10 lbs” that many say they want to lose. I signed up, knowing I have certainly more than that I’d like to release from my body. Well, today was my weigh-in for the month, and I didn’t make it. I did remove 5 lbs, though. I admit without her challenge, I probably would have said, “Oh, Mel, don’t worry about the pounds, just keep dancing, working and you’ll get there someday.” However, for me, the truth is someday never comes. I have four file cabinet drawers full of events gone-by or ones to spend time on “later” and the truth is, 90% of what is in there needs just just GO! Tonight I recycled at least a ream of paper, and I let those papers I’ve been hanging on to “just in case” exit my life so I’ll have room and energy to focus on what I desire now.

My life road map leads in many directions, but the destinations I reach are all because I made a conscious choice and took the path to get there. This past month I didn’t find a dance teacher, but I bought several dance videos and shoes and began my practice. That means I’m still on the path and plan to reach my destination. I removed 5 lbs of my body weight and I earned my Spencer Pilates instructor certification, and those goals are in line with learning to dance as being a healthy weight and having a strong core are essential for dancers. I’m clear that my intention, combined with right action and positive self-expectation will get me to my destination. So, dear friends, Where will your road map lead you this month?

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: dance, intention, Patricia Moreno, Road map, Spencer Pilates, weight loss. | #

Today’s post is hyper-brief (for me at least). Wanted to say, my dancing shoes aren’t collecting dust, but I am doing lots of Pilates to help build my core to make all the dancing easier. It is helping, and I lost another pound. No ballet teacher yet, so I’m still going solo (with my NY City Ballet dvds). It’ll all work out in the end. I’m sure. Thanks for checking in on me!

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I’ll be direct, I didn’t dance but opted for yoga and a bit of Pilates today instead. My knees, particularly the inner sides that touch each other when my legs are together, ache today. I’m guessing I was trying to compensate for my lack of turnout by wrenching my knees a tad. Can’t do that.

By now you’re thinking, what a cream puff! She’s too much of a whiner to ever really learn how to dance at this stage of life. But you’re wrong, my friends. This is one goal I’m going to see all the way through. (The Cliffs Notes version is this, I tend to move to new projects lightning fast because I get bored as soon as I learn the basics of any concept and have mastered it well enough to feel competent. This goes for jobs, projects, arts, and, yes, goals. That’s how I’ve managed to accomplish so much in my 40 years.)

On the note of sticking with it, it looks like I might have a dance studio willing to work with me. (A whole year of classes lined up will keep me honest.) They’ll know by Friday what their schedule for the year will entail. They’ve never taught adult ballet classes at this studio but have honorable dancing bios and the owner responded to my APB for a teacher sent out to the local artists’ council. Keep your fingers crossed for me. It would be a most excellent birthday present, at least until I have to stuff myself into a leotard, but that is a post for another day.

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On Pointe

A year ago, when I was interviewing the 75 artists whose stories inspired “Shout: Kiss My Art!,” I spoke with a young woman, still in her 20s, who’d given up her dream of being a professional dancer. She cited all the reasons why she was too old to reach her dreams and said she’d made peace with that and moved on in her life to a more writerly existence.

Her story haunts me, 12 months later. Why? To be honest, I don’t believe her. It’s not that I’m calling her a liar. What I mean is that my earliest artistic dream, as I mentioned some time ago, was to become a prima ballerina. My family did the best they could to afford a year of dance lessons for me when I was an “old” newbie ballet dancer at age 10. The dance teacher, well known in my hometown, but I’m guessing not so recognized in the ballet world, told my mother I was dedicated but if I wasn’t going to be any taller than she was (4′8″), I’d never have a career. That was the end of my lessons, and my dreams. Since “the teacher knows best” we believed her vile vision of a dancer without a chance and that was that, at least on the surface.

It has been 30 years and my heart still aches to try to be a dancer of note, at least locally, for one stinkin’ show, dammit. That’s why I don’t believe the girl who wanted to dance has become a woman who is 100% resigned to a writerly life. Call it projection, but I just cannot believe a girl who grew up with so many opportunities to dance and got so far has hung up her shoes for the rest of her lifetime. Dance, like most art, is part of a person’s genetic and spiritual make-up. There’s no other explanation I’m willing to accept on this point.

Which brings me to this: I’m going to learn to dance, ballet, classic style and get on pointe. I came across a forum today where several women started ballet lessons at age 40+ and got on pointe without crippling, bone breaks and raw, bloody hocks. I’ve got a year to get ready for pointe, and them I’m going for it. Place your bets, but remember, a long-silent dancer lives in my soul.

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: 40+, age, artist, ballet, dance, dream, pointe, Shout: Kiss My Art!. | #