Natalia Makarova Quotes

The expression should come from within oneself, conveying the spiritual - something between earth and heaven. And if one runs, one should not seem to touch the ground.

Dancers, many dancers today can do so much technically. You can give them steps that are complicated, then more complicated, pyrotechnical - and they can execute these steps to perfection. But to do simple steps with a pure classical line, that is truly difficult.

People tell me I'm dancing better than ever. I don't know what happened, but I have new enthusiasm and more endurance.

I don't keep my secrets or my knowledge to myself.

I really feel sorry for new generation. It's hard to find backbone. I never had crisis of identity. But I think many Americans have it.

A real ballerina must fill her space with her own personality.

I travel like a gypsy, and I didn't know how I could perform and be a mother.

You cannot dance an arabesque in 'Swan Lake' and 'Nutcracker' the same way.

Being spontaneous, it's what saved me,

I prepare myself very intensely. I am at the theatre four hours before the performance. It allows for complete concentration and preparation.

It's not possible to be perfect - you can always do something better. I'm never proud of what I've done. Sometimes, I'm not ashamed.

I am different because I have better schooling, better understanding of the line, gesture, how feet working, positions. They taught me modern things ... and I wanted to give what I had: my schooling.

Usually, English personalities are difficult; they don't take criticism easily.

Because my profession is the body, it is a relaxation for me to get out of physicality and concentrate on more mental things.

All ballet, all reading, all music. That was my world, my inner world.

Technical things are getting more mechanical. Take 'Swan Lake,' the Black Swan pas de deux. Now, my goodness, they're turning not just 32 fouettes - but double or triple pirouettes.

I think often that God is guiding me.