Back to Basics

        In life, I’m constantly surprised with how often we have to go back to the basics. For two reasons, 1) Shouldn’t it eventually get more complicated? And 2) If not, how many times do we have to be reminded to go back before we just get it: it’s about the basics! 
        As most of you know, I had knee surgery in early May. I’m in the throes of physical therapy as I type – literally, I’m icing and stretching my knee right now. I’m thrilled to be moving, (when it doesn’t hurt;) but I’m cracking up in PT because the difficult thing we’re working on at the moment is walking. My therapist literally explained a normal stride and took me through it step by step. Something I learned when I was in diapers, I now have to retrain myself to do. It’s humbling to say the least.
        Thankfully, my dance background helps – (mostly because I’ve swallowed my pride many times on the dance floor;). To really study dance, you question the reason for movement. Why do I take a back step? How do I get there most efficiently and artistically? And my personal favorite: why do my arms move? (Say it with me: “because they’re an extension of your back and rib cage”.) 
        So as I was hobbling down the hallway, I thought about what makes you walk normally. If you’ve heard me say it once, you’ve dreaded me saying it over and over again – because you push off the floor! In daily life we don’t just throw our bodies through space and hope we end up somewhere good. We push from foot to foot (without even thinking about it) to get to our specific destination. 
        Dance should be the same way. Push into the floor to get to where you’re going. Find the reason for the movement before you move. Go back to the basics to make the advanced combo look amazing. I’ll see you on the hardwood… and I’m damn happy to be back!:)