Martha Graham's Prayer

There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening
That is translated through you into action,
And because there is only one of you in all of time
This expression is unique,
And if you block it,
It will never exist through any other medium,
And be lost.
The world will not have it.
It is not your business to determine how good it is,
Nor how valuable, or how it compares with other expressions.
It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly,
To stay open and aware to the urges that motivate you.


Martha Graham,

Choreographer

THE DELICIOUS QUOTE FROM

"HERSELF"~~~~~~~~~~BEAUTIFUL AND "FULL", ISN'T IT?

THAT IS PART OF A LETTER MARTHA WROTE TO AGNES

DEMILLE YEARS AND YEARS AGO WHEN AGNES WAS

GOING THROUGH A PERIOD OF THE "CREATORS' ANGST".

THEY WERE ON-AGAIN-OFF-AGAIN FRIENDS~~~~~ WITH

DEEP MUTUAL RESPECT. AGNES ONCE TOLD ME THAT

SHE CONSIDERED MARTHA THE GREAT DANCE ARTIST

OF THE CENTURY~~AND I THINK THAT PRICKED HER EGO

AT TIMES~~IN-TA-RESTING, EH?

-written to me by Ron Fletcher,
Martha Graham Dancer, circa 1947-1952
Student of Joseph Pilates
First Generation Pilates Teacher and the Ron Fletcher Program Of Study