DANCING

“Those move easiest who have learned to dance” - Alexander Pope

For many the thought of moving body to the sound of music may not be too exciting. It takes guts to dance, especially in front of an audience. We are afraid of making fools of ourselves. More often than not, it is about being self-conscious about our body. But, what if our body was physically challenged? Would the diffidence of dancing instinct increase?

In 1996, Ma Li lost her right arm in a car accident. She was 19 and training to be a ballerina. In 2001, she went on to win a gold medal in the national performing arts competition for the handicapped. In 2005, she met 21-year-old Zhai Xiaowein who had lost his left leg in a farming accident when he was just four. Ma Li began coaching Zhai to dance.

In 2007, the dance duo – one without an arm and the other without a leg - registered as one of the 7,000 competitors in the fourth annual Chinese modern dance competition. Their act won them a silver medal and the highest number of audience votes. The video clip of their dance is a huge inspiration for many (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnLVRQCjh8c) and ample proof of why they deserved to win.

So often we look at the way we are and find reasons to be de-motivated. But Ma Li and Zhai have shown that the way to live is to come to terms with what we are and yet choose to aim high. Life is not flawless but our living can be better in connecting to a lofty mission. Our body may not be faultless, but our dance can be better and full!

to BE BETTER at surviving life’s deadlock
Let’s learn dance and pull up our socks!

- Pravin K. Sabnis