If you’ve ever seen children coloring in a coloring book, you’ll find that even if they are doing the same picture, they’ll all use different colors. The first thing that comes to my mind is the uniqueness of each person (You know. BeatHunter Dance, fingerprints, be yourself. All that jazz.) But recently, my brain did a backflip and changed subjects.

I realized they never use one crayon. They use as many as possible!

If dance is a coloring book, then styles of dance are the crayons. The beauty of our dance coloring book is the ability to express our perspectives in as many shades of dance as possible. Yet, I know too many dancers who use one crayon for their ENTIRE coloring book! With the abundance of styles in existence, all with their own vibrant history and flavor, self-limitation is the only reasons to not experience them.

If you choose to limit yourself by saying "I'm a ballerina." or "I just do HipHop." I have news for you: You may love to color... But you're using one crayon. Embrace the diversity.

Experiencing different types of movement, challenging yourself to grow, and broadening your kinetic vocabulary is one of the most beautiful things about dance. So - if at all possible - go for the super jumbo pack of crayons that has the extra shades in them. Not the dollar store five-pack.

Live In Motion (and color),

-Joél Casanova