BONNE ANNÉE!

I hope 2014 has been treating all of you well so far and I'm glad to be back on Commotion.
I just got back to Paris and while I was away, Internet was a little tricky. I guess I was taking it for granted but, even in the XXIst century, the Worldwide Web isn't such a worldwide "functional" reality.
I spent the New Year in the middle of the Pacific Ocean (literally!) and despite satellites flying all over our heads, decent Internet doesn't necessarily always happen.
Therefore, after a little Internet detox trip, I'm back with tons of new adventures I can't wait to share with you...
So this is wishing you a very happy new year and hoping you are all staying Motionated despite the cold winter.

 

Bonne Année!     Happy New Year!    

Felice Anno Nuovo!     Feliz Año Nuevo!     Feliz Ano Novo!

新年快乐!     عام سعيد!     С Новым Годом!     Щасливого Нового Року!

 

Roll with me

The beginning of my dance career was anything but typical. I took it up during my last year of high school. What started in a musical workshop performing the audition from a Chorus Line and dancing the Rich Man's Frug from Sweet Charity, led me to pursue a professional dance program in Paris instead of the political career that I had shown a lot of promise in.

Seriously, I have to give credit to my parents for letting me do that and supporting me in my choice, because even after all these years it sure sounds pretty crazy!

I gave myself one year. One year to train, learn some techniques and build a foundation. Not that I was expecting to catch up with kids that had been dancing their whole lives. But I saw progresses and so did my teachers. (Well, the ones that actually cared enough to mentor me, and who I have kept training with to this day.) It was encouraging enough to keep working. It pushed me to travel (Tons.), to go learn, and look for answers. My own answers. It made me grow! To learn about myself, and specifically my body.

Growth was great, but my accelerated training led to a series of recurrent injuries. Mostly I would overwork my quads and end up with crazy hip inflammations. The worse one happened one day in NY some years ago, a few days before I was supposed to go home. I had been training like a beast in Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Floor Barre and Pilates. I woke up one morning unable to lift my knee to even put on a pair of pants! It was bad. Not only was it ruining the end of my stay, but I lived on a 7th floor/no lift apartment in Paris and I was starting to worry a bit about coming home with a suitcase and not being able to walk up my stairs!

Luckily one of my Pilates instructors recommended a studio down in the village where they’d make you roll on balls to stretch and massage your fascias, and she felt like this could be helpful! It was the Yamuna Body Rolling studio. So I decided to give it a shot, and sure enough it did help. I took a couple of classes, flew home, and made it to my 7th floor apartment in one piece (well, 4 with my luggage!).

"Find Your Fitness" is an MSN original video series featuring Olympian Summer Sanders as she explores the latest trends in exercise. We all need a little Yamuna in our lives, trust me! Just think of how much stress we put on our muscles, joints and tendons on a weekly basis.

“This class is for anyone. And not just for anyone, but GREAT for everyone. ”

— Summer Sanders

The next time I went back to NY I decided to go back to the Yamuna Studio. I took a few more classes, and as I began to understand more about the technique I started wanting to learn more and further my practice. Conveniently they had a training session coming up that I signed up for. I thought that if I was trained well enough to teach other people, then I’d have the tools necessary for self-help!

After that first training, I was hooked. I took the second phase of the training and became the 1st certified practitioner in France. I attended more programs, applied to Yoga, Pilates, focused on the hips, table treatment, just always wanting to learn more. Learning about the human body makes so much sense with my passion for movement.

It took balls (literally!) to start learning how to really take care of my body. Motionated is all about motivating you to move, and an important part of that is making sure you can move. When your body is such an important part of your career, then maintaining it over the length of that career is vital. Many people are health conscious nowadays and participate in working out, but how many are training with body sustainability in mind? That idea of knowing and maintaining your body to help prevent major injuries is a big part of me, and you can see it here through out the site. Check out my Pedagogy and the page devoted to Yamuna Body Rolling right here! 

So, are you ready to roll with me?!

1 column about 12 columns

I always knew I had the best friends, but it's always jubilating to get little reminders every now and then. 

Recently, my busy best friend Candice Gz (Glymps Pictures) managed to make herself available to do a whole photo shoot. She also came up with an awesome location to boot. 

Don't be misled by the following pictures. We didn't fly to Greece for the needs of that shoot. (Although I have to say I have been checking flight fees since then and it's titillating my globe trotter instinct to just go there just to do another photo shoot. How exciting would that be?!) No this was actually shot in a Paris suburb of all places. These 12 stone columns, seemingly out of antiquity, were our inspiration for the day. I have to say I'm really starting to enjoy the process of taking new pictures to fill up my new website.

Blue sky and an orange dress. That's all it took for me to pretend I was a Greek goddess. Meanwhile behind the camera, Miss Glymps worked her magic. 

Candice is a former dancer with a MBA in her back pocket. Recently she decided to turn another of her many passions, photography, into a paycheck; further proof it is never too late in life to start doing (even professionally!) what you truly love.

We met over 10 years ago dancing in Paris, and have been traveling together to dance around the world ever since. This new kind of artistic collaboration, after all these years of friendship and souvenirs, couldn't have made me happier!

The last night out in Italy...

I want you to picture something for a second. America, France and Switzerland, together visiting the "Pearl of the Adriatic Sea". It's like a script for an international version of Sex in the City. 

This little town in Puglia is the "Pearl of the Adriatic Sea". The place is cute and it is an admittedly very tourist place to visit. In fact, the American and French parts of this group have been there before. But it was our last night in Italy, and we wanted to show Miss Swiss around since she was new to the region.

So my international group of friends and I decided to head to Polignano a Mare, the little neighboring village that is perched on a sheer drop to the sea where I went cliff jumping the other day. 

So our plan was to walk through the historical center for a while, before having dinner at one of the restaurants that look over the Adriatic and its many coves.

The idea of strolling through the charming paved streets received approval from everyone. Finding a restaurant on the other hand was a whole different story.

Half of us wanted pizza (side note : that's what they call pizza in Italian! No, it's not obvious to everyone!), but the other half wanted "regular" Italian food. Along with food we wanted seating for the aforementioned view of the coves, as opposed to seating all the way in the rear of a room... of a restaurant that has a view. Except it was Saturday night, and most places were packed. We knew an excellent restaurant that specializes in gastronomic levels of seafood that also has a view... but no pizza, a fact that, after wandering for a half hour, I was ready to give up on as long as I could sit and use the bathroom. 

The thing was we had visited that restaurant faithfully for the last five years, and as we are all always eager to discover new pearls while traveling, the group wanted to try something new.

So we continued our quest to find the perfect spot to spend the evening where we could enjoy tasty Mediterranean cuisine, a glass of Prosecco (I don't drink, but hey, why the hell not!) and the Italian breeze.

That's when my friend noticed potential salvation. At a little square, a neon sign advertised for Yokohama. "Look”, he said with a very hopeful voice, “there's a Japanese restaurant!" Little did he know the other writing on that sign, "pneumatici", meant tires!!!

No sushi involved there! At all! 

PICTURED: NOT SUSHI.

Oh well.

After trudging through the streets for a little while, we ended up at our favorite restaurant, Il Bastione. It had the view, the great food, and our Swiss friend loved it, so we're probably going back next year! New traditions!

Go Jump off a Cliff!

Definitely the best shot that day

What do you do when you're in the depths of Southern Italy for 3 weeks, and you have a day off after almost 2 weeks of intensive dancing?

You go jump off a cliff! 

USA, Estonia, Quebec and France ready to get familiar with the field

Well at least that's what my friends and I decided to do that day. 

Five girls, four countries (USA, Quebec, Estonia and France) and a lot of sunscreen!

It took me five years of visiting that part of Italy to get to do that. And it was a first for me... ever!

We were on a mission : make lifetime memories and immortalize this experience by documenting it. 

First we had to pick a spot. We went for medium height rocks that were not too crowded since we wanted to take pictures and none of us was willing to photoshop other tourists out of our shots.

A quick assessment of the risks and how much we'd have to push away with our legs in order to not land (or actually crash) on the rocks and we were ready to make the leap.

Whether it was one at a time, synchronized diving, or starfish water dancing we really had a blast.

And even better, our shots turned out being pretty nice!

Ticket to ride!

First jump! Go Quebec!!!

Go Virginia...

Go Florida!

Go France!

Meanwhile Estonia was documenting...

Second round!

Triplets away from Belleville...

Over the shoulder!

Shooting the starfish!

Ciao!!!

Shark attack!

Light at the end of the tunnel...

Beach time!

Strolling in Polignano...

After effort comes comfort... Well deserved yummy pizzas!!!

When we all had our fill of thrills and excitement for the day, and felt ready to go back and dance for another week, we walked through the old village down to a little cove for a last bath. 

Down in the cove...

 "After effort comes comfort".  Our little adventure finished at a nice little pizzeria where we enjoyed Italy's most famous savory specialty! 

Meet Desmond Richardson (Part 5)

We've come to the end of the week highlighting dance legend Desmond Richardson. It's been a fantastic week that I hoped brought you a little closer to knowing someone I think is not only incredibly special to the dance community, but who is incredibly special as a person. I want to thank Desmond for his time and the chance to sit, talk and share. You can see Desmond in the new Broadway show "After Midnight" that is playing at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. I hear the show is phenomenal and I encourage everyone to check it out. The show also features Jared Grimes, another talented friend who will be showcased on Motionated very soon. 

I'd love to hear everyone's feedback on the interview. Tell me what you did and didn't like. I'd also love to hear your ideas of guests or subjects for future interviews. So feel free to drop a line via the comments section here or via Facebook or Twitter. I want to give you the insight and personalities you're looking for. 

Meet Desmond Richardson (Part 4)

Here is the final part to my interview with Desmond Richardson. 
We reminisce about how we met in Italy years ago and he discusses his passion for teaching and his great experience at World Dance Movement.

Meet Desmond Richardson (Part 3)

Today, for Motionated, Desmond talks about something that I strongly believe in also, the importance of body conditioning and sustainability for dancers. He will reveal what he does to keep his body together and in great shape.

#nostarbucksinitaly :(

Bellagamba Caffeinated 

To all my coffee addicted readers who can't start their morning without a venti americano, or make it to the end of the day without their daily grande soy latte, don't go to Italy!

Ok fine go. But if you do, and you're a Starbucks addict, let me tell what you need to know.

Cheers Italy! 

As proud coffee connoisseurs, Italians have yet to allow a Starbucks to open in Italy. If you find amazing coffee out here, it will will not be found in a cute white paper cup marked with a green siren. Nor will it be found in a clear cup with with a green straw. Most likely it will come in a little shot-sized cup to be enjoyed at the bar. If you want a larger cup, you may want to ask for a caffè  americano (the size, as the name implies, that is more adapted to the American market). Don't expect it to be 4 shots of expresso diluted in water either. You'll be served a whole cup of pure coffee. So you may not want to drink that after 5pm!

PICTURED: A TASTY ITALIAN TREAT AT THE POOL BAR...

CAN I JUST TAKE THE WHOLE MACHINE?

Forget listening to jazz music in comfy chairs. Instead it's big steel coffee machines and listening to the Italian accent’s singing all around you. The experience is no less fun !

THE COFFEE SALUTING IT'S OWN DELICIOUS NATURE. WELL DONE COFFEE. WELL DONE. 

MMMMMMMmmm..

LITTLE KNOWN FACT: JESUS LOOKS OVER BARISTA'S AND THEIR MACHINES. 

OUR BARISTA RENZO SERVING ESPRESSINO FREDDO AT THE POOL BAR

GET IN MY BELLY!

If you're like me, and can't drink your coffee without drowning it in milk, you have options. For example, I discovered the difference between a cappuccino (1/3 coffee, 1/3 milk, 1/3 foam) a caffè macchiato (the mini shot size version minus foam, or as they call it in Italian "schiuma") and a latte macchiato (bigger cup of milk with a shot of expresso). It was tough research but someone had to do it! A warning if you're a fan of soy milk or milky alternatives, be aware that very few places will have them available. They aren't as trendy here.

My cup runneth over. 

Have a sweet tooth? You can try a mocaccino. It's a tiny little mocha (cocoa and coffee). Or, last but not least, try the crema di caffè freddo (or espressino freddo if you're in the south). It is the Italian take on that all-time Starbucks favorite the Frappuccino! They're prepared in the same machines that are used to make granite! Size is left to the discretion of your barista, so treat them nicely for those tasty ginormous American sizes (or at least something bigger than a shot glass).

So, are you ready to order?

Ciao!

All Hallow's Eve...Naturally

Bonjour! Today I wanted to take a little break from telling you about my summer in Italy because there is something special I want to talk about. It involves make-up, fantasy, and falling leaves. All the things that Fall and Halloween are known for. I know a lot of people partied all weekend to celebrate Halloween, and I recently was involved in a photo project myself which happened to be very much in the spirit of that holiday. So it seems like the perfect time to bring it up!

A few weeks ago, I was training in Pilates with my friend Yla (oh yes, I will never stress enough how important it is to cross train when you are a dancer, and just for everyone to sustain your body). Just like me, Ylaria Bolzoni is a dancer. Originally from Milan (Italy), she moved to Paris 7 years ago to pursue her performing career. And this year, she decided to add up new skills to her resume : Pilates and make-up.

So as we're in the middle of a private mat class, and I'm just finishing my hundreds, she suggested to try some make-up on me. Why me? Basically cause I'm crazy, and she assumed I'd let her go crazy too! Needless to say, my imagination had already gone to run wild. 

This summer I had been enjoying Paris' beautiful weather and hanging out at a park on the Puteaux Island. Ever since I had been daydreaming about doing an original photoshoot there.

I had already scouted the place and taken pictures, so in just a few minutes (after we finished our work-out!) I showed Yla and she was sold.

Now the fun part. Being a performing artist, Yla has a different idea of make-up. She's more interested in the creation of a whole concept than just in painting a face, if you see what I mean. That same night she sent me a few sketches on face charts. I suggested we used feathers, she suggested to mix them with living elements such as flowers and leaves. We had something. 

The choice of a photographer was easy. My awesome bestie Candice Gz who helped me with another photo shoot project for Motionated this summer (stay tuned, it's coming soon!) had already made it clear we needed to shoot more often, and that she was excited about collaborating with different artists (one of the main purposes for which Motionated was created!). We only had to coordinate our schedule. And that was it!

This was only the first of a series of upcoming projects as my partners in crime and I have decided to keep up with the inspiration. But for now, I want to show you what happens when you take three dancers with big dreams, creativity, passion, and expectations that go beyond "just dancing", and let them go wild!

It was really inspiring to make one with Mother Nature for the time of that shoot, and I can't wait to work with those two exceptional ladies again!

Hand-made eye lashes by Yla

"No More Pasta!" or How to make a Vedura Smoothie

I know Julia Roberts went to Italy to "eat" before praying and finding love ensuring that Italian cuisine was, once and for all, acknowledged as the best cuisine in the world.

Now some may think this is the jealous French in me speaking (arguing…) but, as irreverent as this may sound, I missed my NY veggie juices and smoothies after only 2 days in Southern Italy. Sorry Julia, but pasta at every meal and "verdura" (vegetables) bathed in olive oil just doesn’t do it for me (or my "dancer diet"). Italian cuisine had me praying I could eat something I really loved and that wouldn't make me fat.  

So before diving into the carb and fat fest, I decided to make myself one of those green monsters. The blend is probably not something everyone would get excited about (even though they should!), but it ended up as my snack to keep up with the day's 8 hours of dancing. 

For anyone that feels like having their daily portion of greens and antioxidants, here is the recipe that made my day.

I swear it's edible! Hmm, drinkable!

 

The Vedura Smoothie

2 handfuls of spinach (3 if you have my tiny hands!)

1/2  cucumber

5 almonds ("But I want to use 6..." No!)

1 apple

1 banana

1 handful of frozen berries

1 cup of green tea

Optional :

1 slice of pineapple

1 teaspoon of orange blossom extract

Fresh squeezed orange juice

European Vacation

Summer is officially over, and it will be missed. Even though it started in New York City for me this year, it was a very European Summer. It consisted of attending a 3-weeks dance event in Italy, a brief England trip, and hanging out in Paris for the longest time I had been home all year (5 weeks!!!).

I know it sounds ridiculous, but if you consider all that I did, the places I went, and the people I crossed paths with (people I have gotten to meet, know and be inspired by), it feels so fulfilling that I can barely believe all that happened in only a few months.

But hey, let me tell you a little bit about Italy.

I was in beautiful Puglia for 3 weeks in July to attend the World Dance Movement, a dance workshop that I teach at. Put together by American Choreographer Michele Assaf, this event gathers hundreds of artists from over 25 different countries every year. I’ve been invited since the first edition and have performed and shared my passion with people from all over the world. We all come from very different cultures, and yet are brought together by a mutual artistic endeavor and approach.

Desmond Richardson teaching Ballet at WDM

When I arrived this year, I was greeted by Michele herself, and dance legend Desmond Richardson. They were both excited to see me and right away it made me feel like I was back home.

We sat at the hotel pool around Espressino Freddo (the closest thing you can find to a Starbucks' Frappuccino in Italy) catching up with what we all had been up to since we last had seen each others, and they informed me about my schedule for the first few days.

That week, I'd be teaching a 9am Yamuna Body Rolling class. I couldn’t think of a more perfect start to my stay there. Yamuna is perfectly designed for dancers to warm up and free their bodies from any tensions they might have from their intense training. Since I'm demonstrating, I get to roll my muscles as well, and knowing the amount of dancing I'd be doing, this felt almost mandatory if I wanted to make it til the end of the workshop.  I also learned that I'd be hosting the weekly gala show again. So I had to start figuring out my outfit for the event as well as a small welcome speech in both English and Italian. This year's festivities also included a dance competition in which I acted as an auxiliary judge (in case a competitor was also a student of the one the judges). It was a first for me and I was very much looking forward to it. 

I was particularly excited about all the different hats I would get to wear during my time there, and all timeI would be spending around the other dancers there. Some of them are life-long friends I've made at World Dance Movement that I'm happy to meet again each year. Others were new faces whose smiles and names would become known to me over the time we spent on the dance floor together. I couldn't think of a better way to spend the summer. 

Photo credits : Nadia Nardelli