25 Life Lessons I Learned From Ballet - #19
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
19. You need to learn when, and how, to stop. One word I often hear during rehearsal is “Stop”. And you have to stop moving in order to analyze and correct what you are doing wrong.
Although the piece has been performed several times in Manila, choreographer Gerardo Francisco and artistic director Osias Barroso could be seen going through the details of Ibong Adarna's choreography with a fine-toothed comb. The efforts paid off as the production became the talk of the 2018 Karmiel Festival in Israel. Photo by Mark Sumaylo
Top photo: A common trait among the most revered artists is the ability to stop, step back and view their creation with objectivity. This ability to self-evaluate allows them to push themselves on to a more creative mindset. In this photo taken during the rehearsals of The Legends and the Classics, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, award-winning theater actress Lea Salonga, and celebrated pianist Cecile Licad take a moment to confer with director Roxanne Lapus to ensure that the show is as legendary as the show’s title promised. It went on to win major prizes in the Aliw Awards the following year. Photo by Gerardo Francisco
