Overcoming Perfectionism

Recently, I wrote a post on the problem of perfectionism - The Perfectionist Trap Lately, I've been thinking about how to overcome it. What I realized was the following:

We must first come to realize that there are no perfect human beings. They do not exist in this world.We can only overcome perfectionism by accepting our human traits. We have all made mistakes. Our homes don't always look like the pages of a home decor magazine. At times our stockings may have a run in them. A whole host of standards may not live up to our own expectations and others as well.

Some traits of perfectionism can be traced to other disorders, such as anxiety or compulsive disorder. Often, we feel as though we've let others down when in reality, we're the ones who think so, not them. Maybe some of us had parents who wanted good grades from us, or who wanted us to look our best. But maybe, in their minds, they saw a smart, nice-looking kid and were proud of us and our potential. It would be to our benefit to talk with them about any leftover feelings of resentment or disappointment and gain a fresh perspective about them and ourselves.

We have seen many people entrapped in perfectionism. In some professions and careers this characteristic works too well for the person with the trait of perfectionism. Michael Jackson was known for his perfectionism. His singing and dancing had to be fine tuned to perfection and right on point. These traits may have rendered him a mega super star. Sadly, they may have also contributed to his alleged drug abuse and problems later in his career.

Most of the time, family and friends can help a person with this type of disorder or obsession to help them to realize that their best is all anyone should ever expect from them. This responsibility also rests with those who love a so called perfectionist. Sure, everyone wants to put their best foot forward. No one wants to be ridiculed or thought less of. Everyone sincerely wants to do their best. But it's up to family and friends to lend support and remind a person just how much they have accomplished and that their best is great.

What truly matters most is what we think of ourselves. Self confidence is a big factor in controlling perfectionism. Self approval is hard to come by and sometimes takes much practice to self evaluate ourselves fairly. Do not compare yourself to anyone. You have your own unique weaknesses and strengths that make you you.

Forget about mistakes that were made in the past which you cannot do anything about. Learn from them and move on; obsessing over them does not change anything at all. Realize that the time you spend thinking about your mistakes actually takes you away from time which you can have spent on more productive things instead! Stop worrying about things that are not within your locus of control, such as the future or perceptions by others. Plan for contingencies but beyond that, do not waste your time harping over it.

Delegate and let go

Have faith in other people’s abilities and delegate tasks to them. If they do not seem to be doing a particular task right, teach and help them instead of taking over entirely. Teach a man how to fish so there is more fish for everyone, rather than doing all the fishing yourself and limiting the total output.

Enjoy the entire process

The process is the longest part of achievement – enjoy it! Find ways to lighten it up – learn to laugh at yourself, take things positively, rest/eat/sleep/play when it is time to, take part in enriching recreational activities, do not deprioritize your social gatherings or time off from work.

Celebrate the victories and progress made

Give yourself a pat in the back for everything that you do, regardless of the outcome. Reward yourself or other people if a good job is done. Give credit where credit is due. Wholeheartedly celebrate your victories when they come along – you have rightfully earned them!



Here's a great video - Loving Yourself - Getting Beyond Approval and Perfectionism

The Theraputic Benefits of Pets for Children with Autism

As an animal lover, I'm well aware of the wonders that trained therapy dogs, cats, etc can accomplish, especially with kids who have autism. But regular pets can do a lot to help kids, too. My neighbor's son, who I will talk about later, is proof of this. Autistic children find they can relate to and build a relationship with a pet more easily than with another person, especially when speech issues get in the way of communication.

Although dogs are more widely used, some children may prefer to curl up with a cat, which won't cause sensory overload by running around and barking, and has a softer coat to pet. Cats are increasingly being used as therapy animals as well. No matter what kind of pet is being considered, though, it's important to realize that for many autistic children a pet is not a luxury but the only friend they may have. Many young autistics who are still learning socialization, communication, and how to deal with frustration are desperately lonely. That's where animals can stand to make a huge difference in their lives. Rather than distract a child from learning to deal with people, the pet may become their first and most valuable teacher, and they willing students.

Some parents may be concerned about how an autistic child will deal with a pet because of a particular phobia or sensory aversion, or because their child sometimes displays violent behavior. But the child may just need to get used to a particular animal, or even animals in general. There is no need to assume the worst. Sometimes a child may have a strong reaction to one particular thing about a certain animal, but be able to interact fine with another. Autism is characterised by uneven development, so a child who terrorizes pets may eventually be able to turn over a new leaf, if given another chance from time to time. Also, for children who cannot have a pet in their home for any reason, a program using therapy animals can still be of value. It may be necessary to find the right animal and keep the child in a controlled environment, at least until they are able to learn how to get along together.

A child who desperately craves interaction should always be given another chance to connect. Who knows what benefits could be gained from finding the right pet?

My neighbor's non-verbal son at 5 had no interest in communication until a stray cat wandered into his life. Almost immediately, he said “Cat!” in a delighted tone. He then proceeded to give his new companion a name, Marshmellow.

My neighbor's son is 7 now and Marshmellow is his best friend. He needed someone with the patience to listen and who did not ask him to repeat himself or explain what he meant. Marshmellow had all those qualities. And this child is making progress in making human friends as well.

He says that “Cats are like me. They look at everything and think about it when everyone thinks they’re not paying attention and they only talk when they have something to say.” To this I can only say "Thank You Marshmellow."

Top Ballet Schools in Europe

Picture - Students at the Royal Ballet School

Whether you live in Europe or or would love to study dance there, Europe has some of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world. From the Royal Ballet School in London to the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet that feeds the Mariinsky Ballet Company and the famed Bolshoi. Other notable names include the Paris Opera Ballet School and the Royal Danish Ballet School. Competition for entry in to each of these famous institutions is fierce and the teachers, choreographers and facilities are renowned for being some of the, if not the very best that the world has to offer.

Royal Ballet School in London

This is known as being one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world. It is also an associate or feeder school for the Royal Ballet. With an 8 year, highly professional and structured dance course of expert tuition, the Royal Ballet School, located in Surrey and Covent Garden, accepts the very best and most gifted ballet dances in to its fold. Some of the students who graduate from the Royal Ballet School go on to dance with the Birmingham Royal Ballet where Her Majesty the Queen is a patron and the President is HRH Prince of Wales.

Website


European Ballet Company(London)

This school offers classes for dancers of different levels of expertise. Founded in 1994 by the Director Stanislav Tchassov, former Principal Dancer with the highly acclaimed Bolshoi Ballet, the standard here is very professional and well polished.

Website


Bolshoi Ballet Academy, also know as The Moscow State Academy of Choreography

The affiliate school for the world renowned Bolshoi Ballet is also one of the oldest and most prestigious on offer anywhere, established back in the 18th century. The dance training facilities, including well-appointed studios are of excellent quality. The dance education is thorough, comprehensive and masterful. Classes in ballet technique, pointe work, pas de deux, jazz, historical dance and character dance are taught by some of the finest teachers in the world. Students as young as 9 years are accepted in to the program and the Bolshoi Ballet Academy travels as far away as New York City to host intensive summer programmes.

Website


Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet

Located in St. Petersburg and operating since 1738, it has also been known as the Imperial Ballet School and the Leningrad State Choreographic Institute. It was named after Agrippina Vaganova who developed a method of classical ballet that is taught here today. Some very famous ballet dancers have graduated from the Vaganova Academy including Mikhail Baryshnikov, Rudolph Nureyev, Anna Pavlova and George Balanchine. Students from the age of 10 are accepted and the competition is very fierce. French and piano lessons as well as many other subjects are taught aside from rigorous dance training.

Website


Paris-Opera Ballet School

Known as being the oldest dance school in the Western World, its beginnings go back as far as 1713 when Louis XIV founded the school; he in fact was a dancer himself as a younger man. French speaking dancers are given preference as admitted students. The facilities here including studios, gymnasium, theatre, library and classrooms are of the highest standard. Ballet dance, folk dance, jazz, contemporary dance, pas de deux, mine and singing are all taught.

Website


Royal Danish Ballet School

Operating since the 1770's and a feeder to the Royal Danish Ballet, this relatively small institute offers intense ballet tuition to 60 - 70 pupils. Ages starting from 6 and up to 16 years. Expert instructors and a fine reputation keep the Royal Danish Ballet School firmly on the list of one of Europe's best.

Website

Three Little Words - Simple Phrases that Mean so Much

There are many things that we can do to perk up and strengthen our interpersonal relationships. Yet the most effective involves the saying of just three words. When spoken or conveyed, these statements have the power to forge new friendships, deepen old ones and restore relationships that have cooled. The following three-word phrases can enrich every relationship.

I'll Be There:
If you have ever had to call a friend in the middle of the night, to take a sick child to hospital, or when your car has broken down some miles from home, you will know how good it feels to hear the phrase "I'll be there." Being there for another person is the greatest gift we can give. When we are truly present for other people, important things happen to them and us. We are renewed in love and friendship. We are restored emotionally and spiritually. Being there is at the very core of civility.

I Miss You:
Perhaps more marriages and friendships could be saved and strengthened if couples simply and sincerely said to each other "I miss you." This powerful affirmation tells partners they are wanted, needed, desired and loved. Consider how ecstatic you would feel, if you received an unexpected phone call from your spouse in the middle of your workday, just to say "I miss you."

I Respect You:
Respect is another way of showing love. Respect conveys the feeling that another person is a true equal. If you talk to your children as if they were adults you will strengthen the bonds and become close friends. This applies to all inter-personal relationships.

Maybe You're Right:
This phrase is highly effective in diffusing an argument and restoring frayed emotions. The flip side to "maybe your right" is the humility of admitting, "Maybe I'm wrong". Let's face it. When you have a heated argument with someone, all you do is cement the other person's point of view. They, or you, will not change their stance and you run the risk of seriously damaging the relationship between you. Saying "maybe you're right" can open the door to further explore the subject, in which you may then have the opportunity to get your view across in a more rational manner.

Please Forgive Me:
Many broken relationships could be restored and healed if people would admit their mistakes and ask for forgiveness. All of us are vulnerable to faults, foibles and failures. A person should never be ashamed to own up that he or she has been in the wrong, which is saying, in other words, that he/she is wiser today than he/she was yesterday.

I Thank You:
Gratitude is an exquisite form of courtesy. People who enjoy the companionship of good, close friends are those who don't take daily courtesies for granted. They are quick to thank their friends for their many expressions of kindness. On the other hand, people whose circle of friends is severely constricted often do not have the attitude of gratitude.

Count On Me:
A friend is one who walks in when others walk out. Loyalty is an essential ingredient for true friendship; it is the emotional glue that bonds people. Those that are rich in their relationships tend to be steady and true friends. When troubles come, a good friend is there indicating you can "count on me."

Let Me Help:
The best of friends see a need and try to fill it. When they spot a hurt they do what they can to heal it. Without being asked, they pitch in and help.

I Understand You:
People become closer and enjoy each other more if they feel the other person accepts and understands them. Letting your spouse know in so many little ways that you understand them, is one of the most powerful tools for healing your relationship. This applies to any relationship.

I Love You:
Perhaps the most important three words that you can say. Telling someone that you truly love them satisfies a person's deepest emotional needs; the need to belong, to feel appreciated and to be wanted. Your family, your friends and you, all need to hear those three little words. "I love you."

And how about "God Bless You?"

A Comparison of Dance Life in NY and LA

From when to write a post-audition thank-you note to whether to wear sunglasses in class, learning the ins and outs of dancing in a new environment can be daunting. How do you get a job in NYC? What are the hottest dance studios in L.A.? Here are some tips every dancer should know in order to avoid culture shock when moving from one city to the other.

LOS ANGELES

CLASSES -Although L.A. has scores of dance studios, working dancers traditionally convene at Millennium, the EDGE, and Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio in Hollywood. Also steadily gaming popularity are The Basement and International Dance Academy (where shows like "America's Best Dance Crew" hold rehearsals). Despite being somewhat off the beaten path geographically. Debbie Allen Dance Academy is also a top destination for classes and special events like the LA Tap Festival and Hip Hop Intensive. Class can serve as an informal audition, since top choreographers often nurture and cherry-pick talent by teaching regularly. As a result, the class atmosphere can sometimes be competitive: "Everyone wants to be seen and heard," says dancer Jonathan "Legacy" Perez. "Some people get caught up in the whole Hollywood thing, like wearing sunglasses to class. You can look around and see who is there to show off and who is there to study."

THE LOOK - In the image-conscious environment of Hollywood, it's no surprise that the dance world is putting its best fashionable foot forward. "It's a fashion show out here--even just for class," says Perez, who moved to L.A. five years ago. Dancer Amanda Balen, who has shared the stage with stars like Celine Dion to Michael Jackson, agrees: "L.A. dancers are very hip; each one strives to show their uniqueness." Brian Friedman-style boots and big V-neck shirts are popular with male dancers, while women wear funky hairstyles, racer-back bra tops, and short shorts--with both genders sporting muslin scarves, stylish sweats, and colorful sneakers.


CHOREOGRAPHIC TRENDS -B-boying, breaking, popping and locking are hugely trendy with Los Angeles ;choreographers. Most Hollywood B-boys and B-girls can rock a head spin and a triple pirouette with equal prowess. As a result, choreographers in L.A. demand that all dancers be incredibly versatile. "It's important to have a foundation of a lot of different styles," says Balen. "So many of the styles are being mixed and meshed together, and often the choreographer will make a fusion of his or her own. They are inventing new ways to move, and lines are being blurred."

COMMUNICATION -Technology is an L.A. dancer's best friend. Agents expect dancers to be completely accessible, since last-minute auditions and opportunities are all too common. Being reachable should be your top priority! For audition notifications, agencies often send simultaneous e mails and text messages, while actual job offers typically warrant a phone call. Dancers and agents also use instant messaging to take care of quick questions or updates. For this reason, dancers often carry an iPhone, BlackBerry, or other all in-one device. Though agents are the main messengers about auditions, dancers also get word through Back Stage, www.lacasting.com, and open notices on studio bulletin boards.

JOBS -If all of New York is a stage, all of Los Angeles is a screen. Opportunities range from award shows to films to music videos to commercials to televised appearances. Concert tours also rehearse in L.A., where auditions are often held. Many dancers make their living by teaching class and/or assisting working choreographers on gigs. "There is always lots of opportunity to work and make money," says Perez, whose credits range from Step Up 3-D to "My Wife and Kids" to the Grammy Awards.

AUDITION ETIQUETTE - Being prepared is the name of the game. As parking and traffic arc unpredictable, most dancers arrive at least a half hour early. It's a must to bring a dance bag filled with versatile gear. "A lot of dancers bring extra clothes because they may discover it is a different style than they expected," says Balen. "I also always bring both heels and flats, as well as a makeup kit for touch-ups." Being friendly with other dancers is also a must, since you often encounter the same faces from audition to audition. "It's always like a little reunion, with people saying 'I haven't seen you in so long!' or 'Yo, let's book this job together,'" says Perez. "During the audition, people standing on the side will cheer for the group performing; it's a very supportive community. Dancers really go crazy during the freestyle part."

NEW YORK CITY

CLASSES -Although many NYC classes are crowded, it's worth the lack of space to be able to work with the faculty roster at Steps, Broadway Dance Center, and The Ailey School. Peridance and Dance New Amsterdam are slightly less packed. Iconic ballet teachers David Howard, Nancy Bielski, and Willy Burmann are Steps staples. Zvi Gotheiner's ballet class at City Center is wildly popular, while many postmodern dancers love Christine Wright's ballet approach at Studio 5-2. For hip hop, check out Robin Dunn at Alley. At BDC, Tracie Stanfield's jazz class and Michelle Dorrance's tap class are inspiring, and just about every type of world, folk, and ballroom dance is taught all over NYC! Also take advantage of company workshops with artists like Jennifer Muller, Shen Wei, or David Parsons. These classes are small and intimate and can open doors.

THE LOOK - A snapshot of NYC dancers proves "the look" is not achieved with a particular hairstyle or leotard (although lululemon has taken NYC by storm). What makes this city so inspiring is its all-embracing diversity. Personality is everything, and it comes through in dancers' styles--in and out of the studio--from downtown hipster, Latin heat, or even classic prep. The NYC look is confidence, whether it's in-your-face or laid-back. Mariana Cardenas, a Muller company member and aspiring Broadway dancer, says, "I do better and get further in auditions when I'm comfortable with myself, not when I'm dressing for the part."

CHOREOGRAPHIC TRENDS - One of the most exciting trends is humor. Dance can take itself seriously, and in our post-9/ll environment, audiences (and dancers) can watch only so much onstage suffering. Laurie Taylor, a Nicholas Leichter Dance member, says, "Dancers are now interested in work that combines technical prowess with athleticism and, most of all, fun." Broadway spotlights specific dance styles like salsa in In the Heights and ballroom in Burn the Floor. NYC's fusion trend continues attracting choreographers from across the globe, notably through Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet's collaborations, and Brooklyn Academy of Music and City Center's Fall for Dance annual global lineups. The sheer volume of artists living closely on the island creates an incubator for small companies, projects, and startup groups.

COMMUNICATION - For NYC dancers, Back Stage is a classic guide to jobs, but BackStage.com offers more postings with a subscription fee. Dancenyc.org posts (for free) mostly modern and ballet auditions, with the occasional TV/movie call, and choreographer and administrative opportunities. Other sites are nycasting.com, actorsaccess.com, and answers4dancers.com. And don't forget Dance Magazine's e-newsletter which carries audition notices. The Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter culture has infiltrated dance, too; companies have profiles and post videos, photos, audition and performance dates. Many dancers have personal websites with their reels uploaded. As always, old-fashioned bulletin boards or card tables at DTW, Danspace, and Joyce SoHo are reliable sources.

JOBS - Finding dance jobs in a city flooded with productions at all levels can be surprisingly hard. The economic downturn sadly increased the number of unpaid NYC gigs, and many projects and companies were forced to cut down on hired dancers, or take time off. More dancers are turning to agencies like Bloc or MS A to increase exposure. Others are doing double duty between concert dance and commercial or Broadway work. Jobs exist, but it takes patience and persistence to land your dream show or company.

AUDITION ETIQUETTE - New Yorkers are often stereotyped as pushy and unfriendly; I prefer determined and busy! Auditioners ideally arrive warmed- and made-up or with half to a full hour ahead to prepare. You learn to hold your ground and be seen while giving other dancers space--a huge challenge in small studios. Most choreographers switch lines from front to back. While some dancers remain up front, proper etiquette is to give everyone a chance. Camaraderie develops among regulars, so even "determined" dancers cheer each other on. When let go from an audition, it is usually appropriate to thank the directors, but not to strike up a conversation unless they initiate. If you make it past a cut or two, send a quick thank-you note or agency comp card (but directors are busy, so send wisely; many hate getting extra mail).

Overall, choreographers on both coasts now require that dancers be versatile and be exposed to many different dance styles. Being able to portray a character and interpreting music is also important. Being versatile is the key to getting the job, whether they are auditioning in New York or Los Angeles.

Perfectionism vs High Achievement: Why Understanding the Difference is Critical

Perfectionists are a lot like high achievers, but with some key differences, especially among dancers and athletes. These differences are important, as perfectionists tend to experience more stress. The following are ten telltale traits of perfectionists. Do any of these sound familiar?

All-Or-Nothing Thinking:
Perfectionists, like high achievers, tend to set high goals and work hard toward them. However, a high achiever can be satisfied with doing a great job and achieving excellence (or something close), even if their very high goals aren’t completely met. Perfectionists will accept nothing less than, well, perfection. ‘Almost perfect’ is seen as failure.

Critical Eye:
Perfectionists are far more critical of themselves and of others than are high achievers. While high achievers take pride in their accomplishments and tend to be supportive of others, perfectionists tend to spot tiny mistakes and imperfections in their work and in themselves, as well as in others and their work. They hone in on these imperfections and have trouble seeing anything else, and they’re more judgmental and hard on themselves and on others when ‘failure’ does occur.

“Push” vs “Pull”:
High achievers tend to be pulled toward their goals by a desire to achieve them, and are happy with any steps made in the right direction. Perfectionists, on the other hand, tend to be pushed toward their goals by a fear of not reaching them, and see anything less than a perfectly met goal as a failure.

Unrealistic Standards:
Unfortunately, a perfectionist’s goals aren’t always even reasonable. While high achievers can set their goals high, perhaps enjoying the fun of going a little further once goals are reached, perfectionists often set their initial goals out of reach. Because of this, high achievers tend to be not only happier, but more successful than perfectionists in the pursuit of their goals.

Focus on Results:
High achievers can enjoy the process of chasing a goal as much or more than the actual reaching of the goal itself. Conversely, perfectionists see the goal and nothing else. They’re so concerned about meeting the goal and avoiding the dreaded failure that they can’t enjoy the process of growing and striving.

Depressed by Unmet Goals:
Perfectionists are much less happy and easygoing than high achievers. While high achievers are able to bounce back fairly easily from disappointment, perfectionists tend to beat themselves up much more and wallow in negative feelings when their high expectations go unmet. This leads to…

Perfectionists are also much more afraid to fail than are high achievers. Because they place so much stock in results and become so disappointed by anything less than perfection, failure becomes a very scary prospect. And, since anything less than perfection is seen as ‘failure’, this can lead to…

Procrastination:
It seems paradoxical that perfectionists would be prone to procrastination, as that trait can be detrimental to productivity, but perfectionism and procrastination do tend to go hand in hand. This is because, fearing failure as they do, perfectionists will sometimes worry so much about doing something imperfectly that they become immobilized and fail to do anything at all! This leads to more feelings of failure, and a vicious cycle is thus perpetuated.

Defensiveness:
Because a less-than-perfect performance is so painful and scary to perfectionists, they tend to take constructive criticism defensively, while high achievers can see criticism as valuable information to help their future performance.

Low Self Esteem:
High achievers tend to have equally high esteem; not so with perfectionists. They tend to be very self-critical and unhappy, and suffer from low self-esteem. They can also be lonely or isolated, as their critical nature and rigidity can push others away as well. This can lead to lower self-esteem.

Maladaptive perfectionism can cause a host of psychological problems, like disordered eating, anxiety and substance abuse. It can make you lose your love for an activity and make you feel depressed. It can also lead to burnout.

If you see some of these perfectionist traits in yourself, don’t despair. Recognizing that a change may be needed is a very important first step toward creating a more easygoing nature and achieving the inner peace and real success that comes from overcoming perfectionism and being able to say that ‘almost perfect’ is still a job very well done.

The Health Benefits of Owning a Pet

My cat Bubba

June is Adopt a Cat Month, and as a pet owner, I can attest to the many ways cats, and all pets, add to your life. I grew up with pets - literally. Coming from a family of animal lovers, I was born one month later than Pierre, a french poodle. As I grew older, many pets came into my life. They were friends who never judged me, playmates and teachers. Through my pets I learned some valuable life lessons.

We all need love and companionship in our lives and it is thought that in many cases pets can actually offer us far more affection than the average human being can. As well as giving us something to focus on, experts believe that pets can be excellent for our health and general well-being. When we’re in a bad mood, for example, the mere sight of a large pair of soft brown eyes staring up at us is enough to melt anyone’s heart, and this can instantly change our mood for the better. Pets don’t mind listening to us drowning on about all our problems, either. Now let’s take a closer look at some of those “pet qualities” and see how they can benefit us:

1. Taking care of a pet can help to foster a caring attitude - people of all ages can benefit from taking care of a pet, providing they choose an appropriate pet to suit their lifestyle. Looking after a pet helps people to learn the importance of patience, kindness and understanding.

2. Pets can give people something to focus on and live for - pets can often give people suffering from depression or loneliness something important to focus on in their lives. A pet can provide someone with a purpose in life and can even help them to overcome periods of depression. They can also help people to overcome the loss of a loved one.

3. Pets can help to keep you active - walking a dog on a daily basis can help to keep you fit and active by giving you a good reason to go out and exercise. It can also help to keep people more socially connected by giving them greater opportunities to meet other people.

4. Owning a pet can relieve stress and help to prevent more serious illnesses - it is believed that just stroking an animal can help to lower blood pressure and relieve stress. A study by the Minnesota Stroke Institute highlighted the fact that a cat can greatly reduce a person’s chance of dying from heart disease. They followed 4,000 cat owners over a ten-year period and discovered that 30% of the owners were less likely to suffer a heart attack. It is thought that if similar tests were carried out on a variety of other animals too, they would all yield similar results. People who own pets are also thought to visit their doctor less, take less medication, recover more quickly from surgery and illness, and deal better in stressful situations.

5. Pets can make people feel much happier and more relaxed - having a pet in the house, particularly for the elderly, helps people to feel less isolated and more comfortable and relaxed. Often dogs can help people to feel more secure in their homes too.

6. Pets offer companionship and unconditional love - animals are always happy to see their owners and offer them the unconditional love they can’t get anywhere else. Animals are good company, never judge people, and love their owners no matter what. There have also been many cases over the years where animals have actually been able to sense when something is seriously wrong with their owners.

7. Pets can offer children emotional support - it is thought that pets may hold special benefits during childhood. Pets can help to comfort children when they are feeling sad and don’t want to talk to anyone, and many children admit that they often talk to their pets in these situations. Children with autism are also thought to be able to interact better with pets, and this can eventually lead to better interactions with people.

8. Giving an unwanted pet a good home can make us feel good - there are literally thousands of unwanted pets around that are desperate for a kind and loving home. Giving a home to one of these animals can be a very rewarding experience.

9. Pets can provide us with a hobby - owning a pet can, in some cases, provide us with a valuable hobby, such as breeding, showing, or competing in events. This can help to give people a real purpose in life, as well as providing them with a large network of like-minded friends.

10. Specially trained animals can offer therapy to those who aren’t able to own a pet - everyone is not in a position to own a pet, and that is where specially trained therapy animals can be a great help. Therapy animals are mostly dogs and cats that have gentle and affectionate dispositions. They visit people in a variety of places, such as hospitals, retirement homes, schools and disaster areas, and help to raise the emotional and spiritual well-being of the people concerned.

And finally…

More and more people are beginning to see the importance of owning a pet, and in the USA alone it is estimated that at least two-thirds of all households actually own a pet of some description. The bond between animals and people is part of our evolution, and it looks as if this bond is growing stronger every day!

Rudolf Laban and the Communication of Movement

I saw something which is absolutely right, something which had to be so. And I thought, there is only one way I can express all this. When my body and soul move together they create a rhythm of movement; and so I danced.”

Rudolf Laban

Rudolf Laban (1879-1958) was born in the then Austria-Hungarian Empire. Laban was a dancer, a choreographer and a dance / movement theoretician. One of the founders of European Modern Dance, his work was extended through his most celebrated collaborators, Mary Wigman, Kurt Jooss and Sigurd Leeder. Through his work, Laban raised the status of dance as an art form, and his explorations into the theory and practice of dance and movement transformed the nature of dance scholarship. He established choreology, the discipline of dance analysis, and invented a system of dance notation, now known as Labanotation or Kinetography Laban. Laban was the first person to develop community dance and he has set out to reform the role of dance education, emphasising his belief that dance should be made available to everyone.

In the early 1940s, Laban was hired to study movement of factory workers in order to help industry find the most economical movement for workers in terms of their own bodies and their factory output. He realized that certain monotonous movements could result in muscle dysfunction unless they were balanced with opposite muscle movements to provide Recuperation. He called these actions, Efforts. The German word he used means "driving on," or an impulse that comes from inside, and Laban translated this into the English word, Effort.

From what he observed in movement, he divided Effort into four factors, Flow, Weight, Time and Space with two elements each: Free Flow and Bound Flow; Light Weight and Strong Weight; Sustained Time and Quick Time; and Direct Space and Indirect Space. Flow has to do with whether the movement is fluid or restrained. A way it is explained is that Free Flow is an action that is hard to stop suddenly, while Bound Flow is an action that can be easily arrested. If I'm "holding on" to keep from slipping on ice in my driveway, I'm probably using Bound Flow. If I throw an apple core out into the yard, then I could be using Free Flow. Direct Space Effort has to do with pinpointing something; so if I point to a cherry tree in the orchard because I want someone to look specifically at it, I'd be using Direct Space Effort. But if I want someone to get an idea of the scope of my property, I could sweep my arm side-to-side to take in everything, and this would be Indirect Space Effort. At first I thought Indirect meant unfocused, but it's really about multi-focusing, a kind of multi-tasking. We're able to take in everything at once. Weight Effort seems fairly obvious. I can show Strong Weight by pounding on the table. But, if I brush the hair off my forehead, I'm using Light Weight.

Time Effort can be tricky because it doesn't really have to do with time in "length of time" or "chronology." Rather, it has to do with how one approaches time. Laban concentrated on Intent: all the Efforts have some kind of personal, internal Intent. That has to do with what one wants her movement to say and mean. In the end, it's about meaning and communication. In Time Effort, I can have an hour to get something accomplished and approach it as if I have only a minute, doing everything in a rush, in Quick Time; or I can have five minutes to get the same thing completed and approach it as if I have all day, in Sustained Time. What is confusing is that Quick Time is not constant speed, and Sustained Time is not constant slowness. It's all about the increasing and decreasing of Time: we can't "see" Time Effort without contrast. In fact, it's difficult to specifically pinpoint any of the Effort qualities without contrast because we can see the Effort quality only at the moment it is changing.

Those are just the very basics of Effort. Laban also had a connection with the study of Jung's theories, so Laban's Efforts have some correlation with Jungian principles. For instance, Flow corresponds to feeling; Space has to do with thinking; Weight relates to sensing; and Time is involved with intuiting. So when observing movements in Effort terms, we make connections between the movement and the meaning, interpreting non-verbal communication.

Laban saw innumerable connections between spatial forms and movement, and he observed that certain Efforts occurred in certain spatial configurations. He found that we usually move Upward with Lightness and Downward with Strength; we move Horizontally Open, (ex, arms spread wide), with Indirectness and Horizontally Across, (ex. arms folded on chest), with Directness; and, we move Forward with Sustainment; Backward with Quickness. So, if I reach up to grab something from the cupboard, I'd be going Up with Light Weight; but if I'm splitting a piece of wood, I'd be going Down with Strength. This doesn't mean that one cannot do the opposite; Laban called these opposites, Disaffinities. like going Up with Strength instead of Lightness. If one is in the Vertical Dimension (Up/Down), then she can oppose gravity to go Up with Strength. So, if I reach up to hit a tall man on the chin, I'd have to use Strong Weight Effort in a 'disaffined' way.

Laban decided that identifying these Efforts was not sufficient. He added them together and came up with what he called States and Drives. States are combinations of 2 Efforts, and Drives are combinations of 3 Efforts. He named all of these, too: States and Drives. An example of a State is Mobile State, which combines Flow and Time. It's understandable since we move with a sense of progressing somewhere; Flow has to do with progressing; and Time is affined with going forward or backward. Laban's theories have true value, especially from an emotional, spiritual, communal viewpoint. When we couple the Jungian concepts with Laban's, we can ask ourselves questions like: "Is my impact on others Strong or Light?" "What do I want my effect to be?" We can work on mastering how to express Outwardly what we are Intending Inwardly by considering these Efforts.

Laban Movement is like a language for movement. It is used by dances, gymnasts, athletes, psychologists, and sociologists. It can be utilized by people who wish to expand or enhance their knowledge of movement. The movement is not just what you want your body to do, but also what you body needs to do.