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Why Dancers (or anyone) Should Try Yoga

© Karen Dito

I have been temporarily “retired” from taking technique class since the summer of 2000. Between a family tragedy and my sometimes-troubled pregnancy, I just was not up to dancing. I simply did not have the concentration or the drive necessary so I decided to allow myself some time off. Like many of you, dancing is a very emotional endeavor for me (choreographing even more so) and I really had to deal with my emotional issues before I felt like dancing. Yes, I missed it but I also knew I needed a break.

With my son’s birth in March, I knew I needed to think about dancing again. But then I had him to consider as well! Another excuse to put off going back to technique class, not to mention the fact that my body was now totally different than before my pregnancy and I was sorely out of shape. I was feeling very unmotivated again, yet I felt that dancing could in fact help with my emotional healing at this point. I just had to GO.

I am a rather high-strung person (my friends who are reading this are laughing now) and the demands of parenthood almost put me over the edge. Now I had another little person to stress over 24 hours a day and my main source of release was eluding me still. I knew I needed to find an activity I could do that would help me relax or I was going to lose it. So I decided to try yoga.

I live in San Francisco so it was easy to find a yoga studio near my home. I began attending the Iyengar Yoga Institute in August. I took an introductory class, which moved very slowly, and its purpose was to actually teach students basic poses and yoga terminology. I couldn’t believe how perfect it was for me, even after just one class. I realized that while practicing yoga, I did not think about all the things I stress about, not even my son! My mind was empty and clear, much like it is when I am choreographing. I have not changed to a mellow person overnight, but at least I know I have an hour and a half a week where I can let go of everything.

For those of you who have never taken yoga, I must tell you that it is not easy. It requires determination and extreme concentration. It also requires a mentor. This is not something you can learn from a book; there are just too many nuances that will be missed. I do suggest, however, that you purchase a book with the poses so you can practice what you learn at home, or if your memory is great, you can practice without a book.