The thought for today comes from a legendary poet. William Butler Yeats’ work is beautiful though I had never before associated him with poetry concerning dance. I quote him when he says, “How can we know the dancer from the dance?”

You may wonder what he is saying with this, so let me give my personal spin. Dance and the dancer are inseparable. Just like any other art or practice in this entire world. A dancer is completely enthralled with her art and performance. When the music is high and the dance has commenced, the audience doesn’t speak. Why? Because they are so captivated by the workmanship that is happening right before their eyes. The spectator can’t look away, and when the dance is done, the memory in the collective mind of the audience isn’t of the dancer, but of the dance.

Pure art comes when the dancer is inseparable from the dance.