25 life lessons I learned from ballet - #14
Beyond the arabesques and grand jetés, ballet is an abundant source of priceless life lessons. With the rigorous training and intense discipline it requires, ballet can teach one how to deal with pressure, disappointments, challenges, and ultimately, success. On her 25th anniversary as a professional dancer in 2009, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde took the time to list down 25 key lessons she learned from ballet and which she felt both dancers and non-dancers can apply in their own lives. This series shares those enduring nuggets of wisdom – one lesson at a time.
By Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
14. Pray and have faith! In the wings just before I enter onstage, I say a prayer and I know that God is there. He is watching, guiding, helping all the time. I am never alone.
Beyond a Ballet Manila tradition, the practice of saying a prayer before a show is an expression of gratitude for the gift of dance. Taken during the company’s participation in the Karmiel Festival in Israel this year, the dancers – led by co-artistic director Osias Barroso – bow their heads in prayer before this historic performance. of Gerardo Francisco’s Ibong Adarna. Photo taken by Mark Sumaylo
Top photo: Regardless of the size of the stage or the complexity of the performance, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde always takes the time to say a prayer before every show. In this photo from 2016, she is seen leading the company in prayer just before the performance of Martin Lawrance’s Rebel. Photo by Ian Delos Santos
