Preethi Sriram
By Preethi Sriram
Many dancers have a quality where they are aiming for perfection. They want to have the “aramandi” just right. The movements of the body need to be technically precise.
It is also very important to be aware of the body and how to take care of it. For instance, knowing the proper foods to eat can help the dancer have enough energy on stage without feeling sluggish. Knowing the daily routines and practices needed is beneficial for the long-term stamina for a show. Understanding the different parts and putting that into everyday practice is something that can have long term benefits. But it is also important to know that complete balance is a very hard goal.
In the traditional or the “classical” world of physics, everything has rule and order that can also be applied in life. Wake up, 7am; Exercise and Meditate, 7:30 – 8am; Shower/Get ready, 8 – 8:30am. And so on.
It seems like it would be a simple formula to deliver. However, quantum physics is that fun party bug who loves to be part of the play.
The night before: Stayed up late. With bleary eyes you wake up and check your phone. Oh no! Behind schedule. Why Quantum! You quickly throw on whatever you have and put it on and rush into your next do on your list.
Now you run in late and slip as nonchalant as possible. Try not to make eye contact with anyone. Slightly trip over a person’s chair and say “sorry” as quietly as possible as everyone glances at you. Give a sheepish smile as you sit down. Quickly catch the angry micro-expression of your wonderful teammate who seems to excel at everything and wow! Her outfit looks great; hair is shining like stars in the night sky, brows on fleek like the crescent moon of Shiva – the DevaLoka goddess. The Forever Rising Star of the team.
You try to pay attention to the agenda as you tell yourself that you will get some frizz control for your hair, make some time to buy some more clothes that are more stylish. Now, working through your assignment. The well-balanced meal that was planned for the day is some chips and a coke. But potatoes are healthy right?
Got a text message. Wait. Overbooked yourself this weekend. Need to be there and where? You must be at both?? How to be here and there? That is impossible. Come on Quantum!!! Now you are back at home. Thinking about Quantum and how it really loves to be a bug in your plans. And then you say, “Alright Quantum. You win. You seem to love to play with me and my time.”
Learning something new has many benefits and one can start forming new connections. However, though we may have built some immunity from situations we encountered as a child, that immunity may start decreasing in new situations and our insecurities can start arising.
In the learning process, one may feel that they don’t want to disappoint others. For instance, if participating in a show, they may feel their performance is not up to a certain standard. One knows they should not, but they may start comparing themselves to others.
“Mary seems to always have perfect aramandi” or “Carrie has better expressions than me.” Or maybe, “Caroline seems to learn all the pieces so quickly.”
The comparison game to try to be perfect can be mentally draining and can literally be show stopping. Taking breaks and time to reassess our thoughts can help us to come back with a different mentality.
As an adult learner, what is the specific goal or aim of learning something new? Is it for outshining everyone? Is it to show the world how much we know and get our gold star? Is it to be just like Caroline or Mary or Carrie and that person with the perfect hair and brows who we see can do no wrong? Or it could be simply about learning. The process of learning. To not be afraid to fall and make mistakes.
Look at how children learn. They make many mistakes. They did not come out speaking perfectly but needed many hours of constant practice/play and nurturing. Also, it is important to know that there won’t be a perfect timeline, or a perfect person. If we wish to see others treat us in a certain way, we need to emulate the characteristics we wish to see in the world first in ourselves.
We are human, unique, and need to learn to forgive each other and ourselves for our shortcomings. Some of the most interesting shows I have seen are not ones that were “perfect” but ones where Quantum wanted to play; the dancer may look to have forgot a movement, or the song skipped, or the lights flickered: it is interesting to watch how the individual and team handle the scenario.
Since Quantum insists on staying over, the constant persistent mischief maker, maybe it is more fun to be oneself and enjoy the process of learning.
Maybe Quantum likes to dance with you and do some Raas and Garba. As we are at that time of reflection during the end of the year, this is a great time to contemplate how to have fun even when things do not seem to be perfect.
May you have some good laughs along with your companion Quantum during your journey.
Preethi Sriram is a classical dance enthusiast and lifelong learner of dance. Contact: srirampreethi@hotmail.com.
