Dancing through darkness

Welcome to Waiting in the Wings,  a blog dedicated to dancers who are experiencing some challenges bringing their dance technique or career to the next level because of age related issues, physical illness or injury. Let me introduce myself..... I'm Aria Michaels Paradise, a dancer and choreographer currently residing in Boston. I am affiliated with Tiny Dancer (my own page on FB and website) and ABRAXAS Dance Theatre (I am the founder and Artistic Director). I am also a licensed and insured dance instructor,  independently licensed psychotherapist, and owner of Dragonfly's Door; a boutique service specializing in empowering clients through assistance with spiritual needs (Reiki, crystal healing), sartorial needs (personal shopping, wardrobe consultation), physical needs (offering 1:1 dance instruction for better posture, muscle toning), and emotional needs (Personal Coaching).

Performance as Dragonfly at Animus, 9/12 Photo credit: RavenWolfe Photography

Why this blog? Well, as a 43 year old dancer dealing with Fibromyalgia,  I have found a scarcity of information regarding how to effectively balance my body's need for limited activity and rest with my chosen life path as a dancer.  I have also met other dancers with Fibro, so I know that I am not the only one trying to find some balance.  When thinking about the physical, emotional, and mental challenges of dance, it led me to other ways that dancers can feel frustrated. Many, if not all dancers will face some kind of injury in their career that will force them to sit in the wings for awhile, waiting to go back out onstage. So......what better title for a blog than Waiting in the Wings? I've certainly felt that way..... waiting for a muscle injury to heal, waiting for a fibro flare up to decrease in intensity, watching as my body deals with the natural aging process and seeing how to adjust to these differences in my choreography and performance style.  As dancers, we are inclined to move and feel that sense of power and liberation that only a live performance can bring. But we can use our time in the wings effectively. I hope that we can use our creativity and strength as fellow artists together to support each other and rejoice in what we as dancers and performers can offer, even when we are not onstage, and we are waiting in the wings.