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| Power Style Wellness Connections |
Christina Smith
AGE: 30
Flamenco Dancer
WHAT SHE DOES: Christina Smith loves the Spanish culture. She recently
graduated from the University of Louisville with a master’s degree in Spanish, but
for the last 10 years she has been dancing…flamenco style. About two years ago,
Christina and a friend, Kristen Mercker, started their own dance company,
Camino Flamenco, and along with two other dancers, two
guitarists, and a singer, perform at community events, festivals, cafes,
restaurants, “everywhere we can,” Christina said. “The Spanish-speaking
community is thriving in Louisville, so we are trying to connect with them and raise
awareness of the Spanish culture.”
Christina also teaches the dance at Studio Aire, 1041 Goss Avenue, to children
and adults from first grade to a gentleman in his 60s. “A lot of them come for
exercise, and because they watch Dancing with the Stars and get inspired. It’s a
great way for them to get in shape and have fun dancing to the music.”
HOW OFTEN: In addition to teaching, “I dance three or four times a week,
including practices, up to four hours a day. As a group we try to get everyone
together and practice twice a week.”
HOW SHE GOT STARTED: “I studied Spanish, and I went to Spain and fell in love
with the culture. I saw a flamenco performance and fell in love with the dance.
When I came home, I took lessons with Mara Maldonado, at Ballet Espanol. I have
traveled to Chicago; Albuquerque, New Mexico, and New York to study with other
professionals to develop my artistry. I get so inspired every time I see a
performance, and I have to learn more and get better.”
FITNESS BENEFIT: “It requires such rigorous training, just like an athlete trains,
we rehearse for hours. It definitely is a fun way to stay in shape because
I don’t really consider it exercise. It’s great for your posture. Flamenco is a proud
dance and form is very important. There’s a lot of emphasis on posture.
“We performed at a theater show in April with a guest artist at the Clifton Center,
and it required hours of extra rehearsal. My husband, Ken, complimented me a
few times after that big performance and said, ‘Your arms are so toned!’ You do
so much arm work with the wrist that it really defines your muscles.”
ADVICE: “What’s so neat is that flamenco is different from other forms of dance
and sports because you don’t have to already be in shape. You don’t have
to be a skinny ballerina.
“My advice is to jump in and stay at it. It’s a very challenging dance. When I first
took a class, I was overwhelmed by the complexity of it. I left there thinking it has
to be in the blood because of the deep expression and emotional part of it. I
thought I would never be able to do it, but I went to a summer workshop and what
kept me inspired was that Mara was not of Spanish descent. She’s
amazing. So if she could do it, maybe I could.”
Her Toolbox
THREE THINGS SHE USES FOR HER DANCE
Gallardo Shoes Flamenco is all about rhythm. The music and the footwork are
how we express that rhythm. The shoes have nails that are hammered into the
heel and toe and strike out the sound on the wood floor.”
Handmade in Spain. Available online at flamenco-world.com $150-$225
Jale Castanets All are made with different types of wood — mine are compressed
black fiber. I bought them in Cordoba when I was there on a mission trip. I went
into a little shop that had flamenco items. You have to try them on because they
all have a different sound. Mine has a deeper richer sound instead of a higher
pitch sound.” Available online for about $50
Shawl-Manton “I like it because it’s beautiful. And in flamenco anything you use is
an extension from your body. So even though it’s a beautiful prop, it’s something
you use to express that music and that song that you’re dancing to. And the shawl
is really cool because you can do things with it to make you look like a
bullfighter.”
Available for about $100