Summer Movement

 I am in a small studio apartment in Queens that is decorated with the greenest bamboo, the brightest white walls, and the most intricate decorations from all over the world. The room belongs to my Peruvian/Egyptian/American roommate who has so kindly rented the room to me during my time here in New York. I am back in New York!

Readers may remember that I was here last year, whilst performing with the Vazquez show tour. We were here for 11 weeks, performing every night and exploring each day. The difference being this time - the city has heated up! The crisp winter weather has been replaced by long, hot summer days. Although I did adore the romantic winter

version of this city, I am more in love than ever this second time around. This second date with New York has brought beaches, hours spent wandering the streets as they begin to cool each evening, and adventures to find new and undiscovered corners.

To explain; unfortunately a recent venture to Malta to take up a dancing contract did not turn out quite as it should have. The company was sadly very unprofessional and there was a serious case of exploitation of the dancers. I made the decision to leave Malta behind, despite the island’s beauty and the attraction of dancing in such a lovely show. I withdrew from the situation and left several ‘Liberty’s business cards in the dirty apartment I was leaving – just in case any of the management or company ever need to find their own freedom one day.

I am grateful to the experience, for giving me an opportunity to challenge my true commitment to our cause. Leaving meant coming away from security, but it also implicated moving on from a situation that would have been emotionally, artistically and professionally limiting. I have since reported the company to authorities, and several other dancers have followed suit and left the situation. But it shouldn’t be this way. Ever.

And so, I walked back into my home environment without a job, plan, or structure! And so, I drew up fresh plans. I made a list of the places in the world that made me happy, another list of the things I would like to do to make me happy, and then a quick financial calculation. The results were that I would like to live, love and dance in New York for as long as I can! I am limited somewhat on funds, but worked out that if I could gain some kind of internship at a dance and/or yoga school then I could receive free training, which would mean I would only need an inexpensive place to stay and a little food money. A quick SkyScanner flight search, some circus contacts networking and rapid eBay selling later - and here I am.

I emailed all 26 yoga schools existing in New York City. 5 replied, 1 of which offered me an immediate interview. And so last Monday, 2 days after I flew into the city, I found myself standing outside Sacred Sounds Yoga Studios. I walked in, and up the stairs, to find a shoe rack. Obligingly, I removed my shoes. And then I met Stephanie.

Stephanie is the founder and owner of Sacred Sounds. She opened the studios in 2011, as a place for anyone who needs to heal in any form to come to use the space to do so, whether physical, or emotional. She filled me in on many details about the studio and it’s history and philosophies, and as her words floated through me, I felt a sensation of change tremble through me. 

Sacred Sounds has established what I have been building towards in so many ways - it is a true place of liberté. It is a yoga centered place of healing, wellness and movement. It is what we have been moving towards in our collaborative journey towards the doors of Liberty’s Arts & Wellness Centre.

I spent the rest of that afternoon and the days since attending dance training classes at Broadway Dance Center, going to a rooftop modeling casting, walking over Brooklyn Bridge, exploring beautiful corners of the city, and making new connections. I have filled notebooks, sung at a Mexican karaoke in guessing Spanish, and eaten huge watermelon slices while sitting in the green pastures of Central Park. I have listened to the sounds of the summer bands in Union Square, worked as a model for a photographer, and continued to work on my London freelance writing work from various organic and eco inspired coffee shops. Throughout it all, my initial experience of Sacred Sounds has not left me for a moment. 

We are never alone. Whether living in a city of millions, or hiking across skyline mountains (I recently discovered the literary pleasure that is ‘Wild’ – which I would highly recommend!) or whether we are in our own home environments. Whatever challenges we face or how we choose to challenge ourselves, we are united in liberté. No employment,  living situation or human can strip away who we are at our core, unless we allow this to happen. The process of this past month has all the more confirmed this for me, on our journey forwards. 

Where are you spending your summer this year? I would love to hear where you are, and what you are occupying yourselves with! Feedback and e-mails are always so welcome. For now, I am going to close my Macbook from the spot I am now sitting in, and go for a 3 mile walk from one end of Central Park to the other. The photo below is exactly where I am right now, as I type. 

Walk with me a while?

Helen Victoria.