I've quoted part of this excerpt before, that was taken from a letter written by the great Martha Graham to her long-time friend and dancer Agnes de Mille.
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and be lost, the world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is, nor how valuable it is, nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.
No artist is pleased…there is no satisfaction whatever at any time.
There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction; a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the rest.”
~Martha Graham to Agnes DeMille
As an artist, I respectfully disagree with her sentiment that "no
artist is ever pleased," for displeasure arises from focusing on
what is missing, rather than appreciating the accomplishments that exist before us.
I find that what is missing certainly does motivate me, and what I
accomplish and experience satisfies me.
I love her directive to "Keep the channel open." Keeping the channel open is to tune the instrument that is your body - caring for it and refining it in such a way that you become totally present to your physical existence. When we allow the ego to step aside, and become present to our breath, when we allow our energy to flow unobstructed, what moves through our instrument and into the world is a truthful and authentic expression, truly unique to every individual from whence it came.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION: I recently completed a weekend workshop studying the Alexander Technique, with Jean-Louis Rodgrigue and Kristof Kondrad, who were visiting from Los Angeles. Our weekend objective was training to keep our channels open. I highly recommend learning Alexander Technique from a master if the opportunity should arise for you. I haven't tried these other techniques yet, but I've heard good things about both Feldenkrais Method and Gyrotonics.
