Choreographer twyla tharp on embracing change

WHY DO PEOPLE HAVE SUCH A HARD TIME DOING THAT? One, people are terrified of change. Period. And two, the notion that what we experienced as young people becomes nearer and dearer to our

hearts as we age. We keep believing that, somehow, we'll get the young thing back. But it's not going to happen, so you might as well revise your thinking. HOW DID YOU DECIDE TO

BECOME A CHOREOGRAPHER? I was performing with a professional dance company in New York City and felt it wasn't all that I could do. So, I went to audition for the Rockettes, and

afterward, they said, “Well, young lady, your dancing is really quite excellent, but could you smile?” It seemed to me they were overstepping a boundary. So, I thought that if I wanted to

dance, I would have to make the dances myself. I had no idea about what that meant, but if I wanted to dance enough, I would find a way. WHAT'S A TYPICAL WORKOUT FOR YOU? It varies, but

it always involves using the same questions to evaluate my body. Is it hurting? And if so, is it going to impact what I can do today? For example, today I started out with my usual set of

ab exercises and my usual set of stretches. Then I went into my studio and worked for two hours. I'm not working on any new pieces, so I can build up a reservoir of strength that I can

use later. WHAT ADVICE ON AGING WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE NOT AS DISCIPLINED AS YOU? One, expect it to be a positive experience and do whatever you can to support that expectation. Aging

isn't easy, and anyone who says it is isn't experiencing it. Obviously, there are challenges. The body is insulting the mind, which remembers things that were once possible. WHEN

YOU LOOK BACK AT YOUR LIFE, WHAT HAS BEEN THE ORGANIZING THREAD? Commitment. I decided that the physical body was a very wise instrument and I would investigate its possibilities. You

don't want to have a goal that you can accomplish. You want one that will continuously pull you along to the next discovery. WHAT'S YOUR DREAM FOR THE FUTURE? Unity. I hope for

unity for myself in my endeavors. I hope for unity for this country, for unity globally. Unity.